The Joshua Hempsted House is the oldest house in New London and one of the few remaining 17th century houses in the state. Hempsteds lived in the house until 1937. The Joshua Hempsted House is one of the oldest documented frame buildings in North America. Once on the shore of Bream Cove, now filled in, it has been carefully restored with its original furnishings. The Joshua Hempstead house is the only Underground Railway stop open to the public.
Nathaniel Hempsted, builder of the second house (1758), was Joshua's grandson, who died soon after the house was built. Both are now owned and operated by the Antiquarian and Landmarks society of Connecticut.
