IN COLCHESTER Colchester Historic District & Center. Rte. 85, Historic Walking tour through center of town. Brochures available at town hall. IN FRANKLIN Fort Griswold Battlefield State Park and the Groton Monument, site of 1781 massacre of colonial defenders by British troops under Benedict Arnold. Memorial tower, museum with historical displays. Project Oceanology at Avery Point. A hands-on 2.5-hour oceanographic cruise on Long Island Sound aboard a marine research vessel. IN NEW LONDON Downtown New London. Historic 18th and 19th century structures and streets: Ye Antientist Burial Ground, New London County Courthouse, Whale Oil Row, Union Station and Starr Street. Hempsted Houses. Two historic house museums in the heart of old New London, one of which is among the oldest in New England (1678 documented). The other a very rare stone house (1759). Thames River Cruises. City Pier. 40-minute cruises of Thames River with narrative explaining historic sites, military facilities, and recreation locations in the area. U.S. Coast Guard Academy. Home of America's tall ship USCG Barque Eagle. Beautiful grounds, museum and chapel. Seasonal visitors' center which has special displays and multi-media show. Periodic cadet parades. IN NIANTIC Millstone Information & Science Center. Displays on nuclear power, computer games, live marine aquaria and film presentations. Free. Thomas Lee House & Little Boston School. House is one of state's oldest frame houses with framing details visible. First district school between New York and Boston. Smith-Harris House Society Rd. Restored 19th century Greek Revival farmhouse with outbuildings in wooded setting; picnic area. NORWICH Historic Ship Nautilus & Submarine Force Museum U.S. Sub Base. The world's first nuclear-powered submarine, refitted to accept visitors on self- conducted tours. The museum includes a visual history of America's submarine service. Open daily. Limited hours on Tuesday. LEDYARD Nathan Lester House Long Cove and Vinegar Hill Rds., Gales Ferry. 18th century farmhouse. Original out-buildings and farm museum with over 100 acres including hiking trails. Sawmill Park Iron St. and Rte. 214. Town-owned operating mill museum in 1860-restored building. Water-powered up-down sawmill, shinglemill, blacksmith shop with working blacksmith, gristmill, ice harvesting equipment, and other mill artifacts, colonial crafts, 11-acre park site for passive recreation. MYSTIC Clyde's Cider Mill 129 North Stonington Rd., Old Mystic. Last steam-powered cider mill in New England. Recently received a National Historic Mechanical Engineering Landmark Award. In operation during Fall. 860-536-3354 Denison Homestead Pequotsepos Rd. Unusual interior construction,Denison family heirlooms represent five historical periods from 1717 to 1941. 860-536-9248 Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center 109 Pequotsepos Rd., (P.O. Box 122). Hike on over 7 miles of trails at this 125-acre sanctuary. Birdwatch in 4 distinct habitats and view live birds of prey in outdoor flight enclosures. Year-round programs, museum and giftshop. STONINGTON (Including Pawcatuck) Stonington Borough Off Rte. 1. Walkable village includes 18th and 19th century buildings in both residential and commercial areas. Antique stores. Home port of Connecticut's only commercial fishing fleet. Map J1 WATERFORD Beebe Phillips Farmhouse, Jordan School House, Stacy Barn Museum, Miner Education Center, Village Blacksmith Shop Rte. 156 and Avery Lane. 18th and 19th century buildings, horsedrawn vehicles, early farm implements, and a colonial herb garden.