On this page about 25 years ago an idea was floated — create a foundation to acquire the U.S. Custom House on Bank Street in New London, maintaining its use as a customs office, while also turning it into a museum of the city's maritime history.

The idea to head off the sale of the building for private use, perhaps a restaurant, came from the late Lucille Showalter. Greg Stone, who retired from The Day in 2007, penned the editorial that brought it forward. The newspaper continued to push the proposal, in editorials, by hosting meetings and even lending use of its attorney.

On Saturday the New London Maritime Society celebrated the 25th anniversary of its founding and the creation of the Robert Mills U.S. Custom House Museum.

“It was such a good idea that all that she described that afternoon took place within a year's time,” recalled Mr. Stone at Saturday's celebratory dinner. “It was such an excellent and logical construct: Turning that building, the catbird seat for New London's adventures at sea, into a medium for telling the story of New London and its port.”

The museum continues to tell that story, showing the strength and endurance of an idea.

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