USCG Training Facility at Avery Point Groton, CT

• Historic Lighthouse Origins: The site of the USCG Training Facility at Avery Point was originally the location of the Avery Point Lighthouse, built in 1943 to guide ships navigating Long Island Sound. • World War II Roots: During World War II, the federal government acquired Avery Point from the estate of Morton Freeman Plant to construct a training facility for the Coast Guard and other military purposes. • Officer Candidate School (OCS): Avery Point was a major site for the Coast Guard’s Officer Candidate School from 1946 until 1952, training thousands of new officers during the post-war period. • Architectural Heritage: The main building, Branford House, was originally a luxurious mansion built in 1904 by the Plant family and later adapted for military use. • Coast Guard Women’s Reserve: During WWII, the facility hosted the USCG SPARS (the Women’s Reserve), making it a pioneering site for gender integration in the service. • Cold War Role: In the early years of the Cold War, Avery Point provided training for newly commissioned Coast Guard officers and reservists, supporting the nation’s maritime security. • Transition to Academia: In 1967, the property was transferred to the University of Connecticut and now serves as the UConn Avery Point campus, but traces of its Coast Guard legacy remain. • Lighthouse Restoration: The Avery Point Lighthouse, deactivated in 1967, was fully restored by volunteers and relit in 2006, honoring the site’s maritime and military history. • Unique Training Programs: Specialized training at Avery Point included navigation, seamanship, and leadership courses which set the standard for future Coast Guard instruction nationwide. • Memorials and Remembrance: The site features memorials honoring Coast Guard personnel who trained or served at Avery Point, preserving its rich military heritage for future generations.