Victorian woolies, or embroidered canvases created by sailors in the late 19th century, are the source of inspiration for Custom House Maritime Museum’s newest exhibition, “Victorian Woolies: Sailor Stitchery and Other Pastimes.”

The exhibit opened March 11 and was conceived after the museum acquired the show's 22 pieces (a gift from Charles B. Moss, a New York City resident) that feature colonial ships and various seaside scenes. Victorian woolies, executive director Susan Tamulevich says, are not a well-known artistic medium but constituted a small art movement here in the United States throughout the Victorian era. The artists behind these pieces are unknown.

The show will run through June 10. Admission is $7, and free for New London Maritime Society members, children ages 14 and younger, U.S. Coast Guard cadets, active-duty military and their families. Hours are 1-5 p.m. Thurs.-Sun.; (860) 447-2501, www.nlmaritimesociety.org.