|
Depot Dispatch for June 2006
Ludington Light To Open for Tours
By late summer Michigan’s Ludington Breakwater Lighthouse is expected to open to the public for the first time in its history. Thanks to a partnership with the Big Sable Lighthouse Keepers Association and the City of Ludington ownership of the lighthouse will be transferred to the city, which in turn will allow for the lighthouse group to open the tower for tours.
Public Invited to Maine Lighthouse Museum Dedication
The public is invited to the gala Dedication of the CWO Kenneth Black Exhibition Hall at the new Maine Lighthouse Museum in Rockland, Maine on Saturday, June 17 at 10am.
This ceremony will also open the final phase of the Maine Lighthouse Museum, which can only be described as outstanding. We would strongly encourage our readers to attend and witness this history in the making. The event will include Rear Admiral Pekoske, Commander of the First Coast Guard District, and a number of other federal and local dignitaries, including Maine’s First Lady.
Public Invited to Lighthouse Dinner
The same evening, following the dedication at the Maine Lighthouse Museum, the public is invited to the American Lighthouse Foundation evening dinner at the American Legion Hall in Rockland, Maine. Cost is $35.00 per person. The dinner will honor the completion of the Maine Lighthouse Museum and promises to be a fun evening, mixed in with some great humor and lots of great raffle items and door prizes. Tickets can be ordered by calling 1-207-646-0245 or on the Internet at www.LighthouseFoundation.org. You do not need to be a member of the American Lighthouse Foundation to attend the dinner.
Visit Lighthouse Depot’s Expanded Location
While visiting the new Maine Lighthouse Museum be sure to visit the Lighthouse Depot gift store in its new and larger location at the entrance to the expanded Maine Lighthouse Museum and the CWO Kenneth Black Exhibition Hall on Rockland’s beautiful and historic waterfront.
The Previous Trivia Question
"Damn the torpedoes-Full speed ahead!" This was the famous order that was given in a battle that destroyed what lighthouse? The answer is Mobile Point Lighthouse on the Gulf Shores of Alabama. During the Civil War, Union ships under the command of Admiral David Farragut attacked Fort Morgan, which was also the site of the Mobile Point Lighthouse. It was during the attack, when one of the Union ships struck a torpedo and sank, that the Admiral gave the famous order. Congratulations to Jeannette Pennacchia of Ridge, New York whose name was randomly picked from among the winning answers. A wonderful gift from Lighthouse Depot is on its way to her.
Scottish Lighthouse Sold
The Northern Lighthouse Board has sold Scotland’s Barns Ness Lighthouse to a private individual. There were ten bidders for the property and the selling price was not revealed. The Northern Lighthouse Board is in the process of selling off a number of Scotland’s lighthouses, since they are either no longer needed or too expensive to maintain.
Museum of Lighthouse History Makes Changes
The American Lighthouse Foundation’s Museum of Lighthouse History, which is located next door to Lighthouse Depot in Wells, Maine has a new look for this season with new exhibits and additional displays. So, when visiting Maine, be sure to stop by and visit, they would love to see you.
New Exhibits at Montauk
The Montauk Point Lighthouse Museum in Montauk, New York has also opened the season with some new, permanent, exhibits. Called "Where Land Meets the Sea: Exploring Montauk History Through the Richard R. Gilmartin Galleries," the exhibit is an anecdotal journey through Montauk history from the time people first walked this land that touches the sea.
Raffle for Portsmouth Harbor Light
The Friends of Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouse, a chapter of the American Lighthouse Foundation has just launched an exciting new raffle to help raise funds for the preservation of the lighthouse. The grand prize is a 29" working replica of the lighthouse created by Steve Wright of American Lawn Lights. First prize is a bronze relief plaque of the lighthouse created by Rhode Island artist Jim Gomes, and second prize is a beautiful photo (11" x 14" photo in a 16’x 24" frame) of the lighthouse by William Marshall. Other prizes include a pair of $50 gift certificates from the Tugboat Alley store in Portsmouth, and a replica of a fourth order Fresnel lighthouse lens by Harbour Lights.
The drawing will be on December 16, 2006. You can read more about it and find out how to buy tickets (by mail or by PayPal) on our website on this page: www.lighthouse.cc/portsmouth/raffle2006.html. The lighthouse replica will be on display at the Portsmouth Area Chamber of Commerce at 500 Market St. in Portsmouth. You can learn more about Steve Wright's beautiful replicas at www.americanlawnlights.com.
Also there are still plenty of tickets available for their June 23 sunset cruise; by visiting their website at www.portsmouthharborlighthouse.org for details.
Lighthouse Kids Get Grant
The Lighthouse Kids, a chapter of the American Lighthouse Foundation, who have saved New Hampshire’s White Island Lighthouse from imminent collapse have now received a $25,000 grant which will go toward the restoration of the keepers house, generator building, and help improve access to the island.
Join the Fun at the Toledo Harbor Light Festival
July 8 & 9 at the Maumee Bay State Park, 1400 State Park Road, Oregon, Ohio
There will be Vendors, Food, Boat Rides out to the lighthouse, Clowns and Magician, Music, Sand Sculpting Contest, Lighthouse Photo Contest, Clam Chowder Cook Off, Children's Activities and Silent Auction. Proceeds are for the preservation of the Toledo Harbor Light. For more information: www.toledoharborlighthouse.org
This Issues Trivia Question
These two lighthouses were both established in 1858 on the west coast of the United States. Both were destroyed because of erosion. What are the names of these lighthouses? Send your answer to . One name will randomly be selected from among the correct answers submitted will receive a free gift from Lighthouse Depot. In case your name is chosen as the winner be sure to include your full name and mailing address with your answer so we will know where to mail your prize.
Fresnel Descendant Marries Atop Lighthouse
Britta Fresnel Rogers, a descendant of Augustin J. Fresnel, (1788-1827), the inventor of the famous Fresnel lens that at one time provided the beam of light in every American lighthouse, was married recently at the top of Florida’s Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse. She married Vincent Young atop the lighthouse as they stood next to the historic and gigantic first order Fresnel lens that to this day is still in the tower.
Roanoke River Lighthouse in Danger?
Recently we’ve received a number of letters from people who are concerned about the deteriorating condition of the Roanoke River Lighthouse in Edenton, NC. The 1887 structure once stood offshore as a screw-pile lighthouse in Abermarle Sound. When it was discontinued it was sold and moved to shore in the 1950’s and has been privately owned ever since. If anyone can provide additional information or updates we’d appreciate hearing from you at
Puerto Rico Lighthouse To Be Excessed
The Cabo San Juan Lighthouse and LORAN Station in the municipality of Fajardo, Puerto Rico has been declared excess property to be given to a qualified nonprofit or other government entity under the National Historic lighthouse Preservation Act. Letters of interest can be sent to the General Services Administration, Property Disposal Division, 10 Causeway Street, Room 925, Boston, MA 02222 and a copy of your letter of interest must also be sent to the State Historic Preservation Office, P.O. Box 9066581, San Juan Puerto Rico 00906-6581.
"Mr. Hal" Returns to Little River and Asks for Help
Hal Biering, known as "Mr. Hal," will be returning to complete the restoration at Maine’s remote Little River Lighthouse being restored by the American Lighthouse Foundation. In spite of suffering a major heart attack last year, and undergoing bypass heart surgery, the 79 year old Alabama resident, along with his wife Betty, are looking forward to returning to Maine as unpaid volunteers to assure the restoration project he has worked on for the past three summers is completed. Unfortunately, the restoration fund is about $5,000 short of the necessary money needed to pay for the various supplies that will be needed. If you would like to help "Mr. Hal" make sure the restoration of the keeper’s house is completed this summer you can send your tax deductible donation to, Friends of Little River Lighthouse, P.O. Box 671, East Machias, ME 04630. Donations can also be made on the Internet at www.LighthouseFoundation.org.
Get Well Cards Requested
Purcell Corbett, one of the last living direct descendants of the last keeper of the United States Lighthouse Service to serve at Maine’s Little River Lighthouse is recovering from surgery. Purcell grew up on the island and over the years he has shared many memories of lighthouse life with historians in an effort to save the stories for future generations. You don’t have to know Purcell, you can simply send and sign a Get Well Card with a your name and the words, "A Lighthouse Friend." Cards can be sent to Purcell Corbett, P.O. Box 303, Cutler, ME 04626.
Founder of Seguin Lighthouse Group Passes
Sereno Sewall Webster, Jr., the founder of Maine’s, Friends of Seguin Island, recently passed away. The group is now under the direction of his daughter Anne Webster Wallace, who was also the Director of the Maine Lights Program that was the predecessor of the National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act. He was active until the time of his death and even in his 80’s could be seen rowing his boat from his home across the treacherous waters to Seguin Island Lighthouse. As well as being involved in local affairs, shortly before his death he had written a book on the area he lived in. Donations in his memory can be sent to Friends of Seguin Island, Webster Endowment Fund, P. O. Box 866, Bath, ME 04530.
Attention: Lighthouse Researchers
If you are researching lighthouses as a hobby or for a school project please remember that the Lighthouse Depot web site has information on over 6,500 lighthouses. Simply visit our site at www.LighthouseDepot.com and type in the name of the lighthouse and you will be directed to the information we have collected on that lighthouse. Should you require additional information, in many cases you can also be directed to the organization that manages the individual lighthouse. The Lighthouse Depot Explorer Data Base is the largest lighthouse web site in the nation. Have fun!
Clearance Central
Don’t forget to visit Lighthouse Depot Clearance Central for ever-changing items that have been discontinued.
Lighthouse Depot, Helping to Save Lighthouses, One Gift at a Time 
|
