New London has a rich, intriguing history, and there are numerous places in the city where people can learn more about the past.

The Custom House Maritime Museum, operated by the New London Maritime Society, is a great first stop to learn more about the Whaling City’s past. You can amble through the museum itself, seeing artifacts and changing exhibitions, but you can also take tours of local lighthouses that the New London Maritime Society, offers.

The Shaw Mansion was built in 1756 by Captain Nathaniel Shaw, and none other than General George Washington stopped there in 1776. The granite home was one of the few buildings near the harbor to survive the attack and burning by Benedict Arnold in 1781.

The Lyman Allyn Art Museum provides some stunning art, but it also provides peeks into New London’s history. One of its permanent exhibitions is “Louis Comfort Tiffany in New London,” which explores the life and work of iconic glassmaker Louis Comfort Tiffany and his connection to the region. Another is “American Perspectives,” which “celebrates the arts of America from colonial times through the 20th century, often through the lens of Connecticut and specifically New London County.”

Also of note but not currently open: the Monte Cristo Cottage, at 325 Pequot Ave., which is the boyhood home of Nobel- and Pulitzer-prize-winning playwright Eugene O’Neill.

Custom House Maritime Museum, 150 Bank St., New London; hours 1-5 p.m. Wed.-Sun. and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sat., or by appointment: (860) 447-2501, nlmaritimesociety.org.

Shaw Mansion, 11 Blinman St., New London; tours are free and by appointment; (860) 443-1209, nlchs.org.

Lyman Allyn Art Museum, 625 Williams St., New London; hours 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tues.-Sat. and 1-5 p.m. Sun., closed Mon.; (860) 443-2545, lymanallyn.org.