Race Point Solarized
Electricity was brought to Race Point Lighthouse in 1957 but it didn't last long at the lighthouse. Three years after electricity came to the remote lighthouse at the tip of Cape Cod, MA the large Gothic Revival keeper's house was torn down and the remaining dwelling was modernized. When the station was finally fully automated in 1978, it was boarded up and left for the elements and was eventually scheduled for demolition.

The American Lighthouse Foundation came to the station's rescue in 1995 when we obtained a long-term lease from the Coast Guard to save the station. Shortly thereafter volunteers began what many thought would be the impossible task of restoring and saving the lighthouse.

Restoration began under the direction of Jim Walker, who was the same man (then employed by the Coast Guard), who closed the station up nearly 20 years previously.

The restoration team, operating under the name of the Race Point Committee, began the difficult task of restoring a lighthouse that had no roads to it, is surrounded by property of the Cape Cod National Seashore, had no electricity and was literally ready to crumble to the ground.

Today, eight years after we started restoration, the restored lighthouse station is one of the finest examples of lighthouse restoration in the nation. Every building at the site, which is surrounded by the shifting and blowing sands of Cape Cod are totally restored.

The lighthouse was opened to the public for overnight stays as a hostel, has hosted hundreds of school children, various charitable organizations, been the site of several movies, used in commercial advertisements and is the site of numerous other educational services.

The Race Point Committee eventually evolved into the Cape Cod Chapter of the American Lighthouse Foundation, which is now also responsible for the care of two other lighthouses on the Cape, Long Point and Wood End, plus running the day to day activities of a hostel, which can be quite demanding. However, funds generated from overnight stays have gone to other lighthouse causes such as helping to pay for the International Lighthouse Conference, restoration at Little River Light in Cutler, Maine, and Avery Point Lighthouse in Groton, CT.

But, there was one thing that still worried the volunteers, and that was the propane used at Race Point Lighthouse to generate lights at night time and the diesel engine electrical system is way too noisy and expensive to operate 24 hours per day. Nearly three years ago Jim Walker and Don Root began to examine the feasibility of bringing solar power to the keeper's house. A windmill was also considered at one point, but in the end solarization was decided as the best possible solution.

But the project would not be cheap and it was agreed that most of the money to pay for a solarization project should not come from operating funds, but should be raised through fundraisers and donations. Plus the project had to be done in such a way that it wouldn't interfere with the historical significance of the keeper's house.

The money was raised, and volunteers did all the work, not an easy task on the hot sandy dunes, plus all the equipment had to be transported over the sand dunes to the remote location, uncrated and installed correctly. And it was.

Today, the new solar system supplements the current diesel engine electrical generating system with a terrestrial mounted photovoltaic solar array system. This array provides enough electrical energy to light the keepers house 6 hours per day and run the 1/2 horsepower water pumps. The system has an electrolyte discharge battery pack, which provides back up power for up to three days during cloudy or stormy weather. Included with the photovoltaic system is an automated electrical inverter (to balance the system) to change DC power to provide 120 volt AC power to all building electrical loads.
A Data Acquisition System has been set up to interface with an educational kiosk at the keeper's house. This system monitors the energy generated by the photovoltaic system and on site demonstrations, tours and educational workshops are being organized to show school children, teachers and visitors to the Cape Cod National Seashore how solar power can supply electric energy to the average family home.

A vote of thanks goes out to volunteers Don Root, Bill Fisk, Dave Rice, Scott Branco, Russell Loud, Paul Mendes, Dick Davidson, and of course Jim Walker for a job well done. Unfortunately, long time volunteer Sidney Bamford passed away as the project was close to being started. Donations in his name toward the solar project totaled about $1,700.00. His ashes were scattered at the base of the tower.

Wheels are Better than Feet - Especially Here!
After many years of having beat up transportation that barely ran and needed constant work, The Cape Cod Chapter of ALF finally has reliable transportation to bring guests and supplies back and forth over the sand to the remote Race Point Lighthouse.

The first jeep used by the chapter was one that was donated by Len Hadley, (now deceased) who was one of the original founders of the American Lighthouse Foundation. "That old jeep was our only transportation in the early days," recalled Jim Walker, chapter president, "Without that donation to get us started, I don't know what we would have done, Len was a great guy who did so much for the group."

Over the years the chapter has had several vehicles, all old and all in poor shape, "But that's all we could afford," said Walker. Now after years of hard work, and fund raising the restored light station, once scheduled for demolition, is in pretty good shape and we could finally get some reliable transportation."

Passing
Sidney W. Bamford, 76, of Provincetown, MA died at his home after an illness. He was an active member of the Cape Cod Chapter of the American Lighthouse Foundation and played a major role in the restoration of Race Point Lighthouse and helped with Long Point and Wood End Lights. It was often said they could make a movie on his life. He served in the Army Air Corp during WWII, he rode a bicycle from the Pacific coast to Cape Cod, MA, sailed in the Bermuda Race, hiked in Nepal, Mexico and Iceland, and also bicycled in France, Italy, Spain, England and Ireland. He owned a couple of stores, worked for the National Park Service and was also involved in local politics. He was a volunteer who will be greatly missed.

Breakwater lighthouse gets new bench
When the Friends of Rockland Breakwater asked Weatherend Furniture about providing a new bench for boat deck of the lighthouse, the owner, Gil Harper was pleased to accept the assignment. After all, it was his grandfather, Captain Edward Harper, who was one of the original schooner captains who was instrumental in having the breakwater built. Harper thought this would be a unique way to not only help the Friends group restoring the lighthouse, but that it would be a lasting tribute to his grandfather.
Construction of the benches took almost two weeks and included help from nine very proud Weatherend employees who also installed the bench with the help of Rockland Harbor Master Chad DeLima.

The new bench at Maine's Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse will allow visitors a comfortable repose while viewing the scenic beauty surrounding the lighthouse. The Friends group hopes to be able to install a plaque honoring Captain Harper on or near the bench.

The bench was ferried out to the lighthouse in two sections by the Harbor Master, then lifted over the railing of the boathouse and bolted into place.

Grants Awarded
We are please to announce recent grants that have been awarded to the American Lighthouse Foundation.

$1,000 from the Gemini Fund at Maine Initiatives toward the restoration of Boon Island Lighthouse.

$10,000 from the Davis Family Foundation to be used for Boon Island and Halfway Rock Lighthouse.

$4,500 payable over three years from Machias Savings Bank, Machias, Maine for Little River Lighthouse. The first $1,500 check has been received.

$5,000 from People Heritage Bank (Bank North) for our 5th and 6th grade student Teachers Resource Manual.

While these grants are helpful toward our overall goal, this is a long way from the $1,500,000 fund raising goal we need to complete the restoration of the lighthouses under our auspices.
You can help in a number of ways:

1. Make an outright donation of cash or stocks now. In many cases this type of donation is tax deductible, however you should always check with your accountant.

2. Buy a gift membership to the American Lighthouse Foundation for friends, loved ones and libraries. When our newsletter is on display in libraries it has an exposure to a wider audience that we could ever hope of reaching.

3. Purchase citizenship, political offices, or specialty awards from the Republic of Boon Island. These make unique holiday or birthday gifts for just about anyone. They are humorous; a lot of fun to give and you'll help us save lighthouses.

4. Purchase American Lighthouse Foundation gift items. Every purchase helps us in our fund raising efforts.

5. Help us find corporations and grant givers that we could qualify to apply for a grant from.

6. Donate quality items to us to sell on our eBay auction site.

7. Contact us to form a chapter in your community that can hold fund-raisers to help us raise money in our efforts to save lighthouses and their history.

Avery Point Restoration Underway
Gets Boost from Cape Cod Chapter
Restoration at Connecticut's Avery Point Lighthouse has started thanks to the hard working efforts of the Avery Point Chapter, but they're still fighting an uphill battle.

That battle was made a lot easier thanks to a $25,000 check from the Cape Cod Chapter, which manages Race Point, Long Point and Wood End Lighthouses. The money came from funds that the chapter charges to overnight guests who spend the night at the lighthouse.

West Mystic Wooden Boat Company has started building the new lantern room, using the old one, which was beyond repair, for a template. The lantern room should be finished by the time this newsletter is in the mail.

To date the Avery Point Lighthouse Society has raised $150,000 from the State of Connecticut, $205,000 through their own efforts that includes the $25,000 from the Cape Cod Chapter and other funds from ALF. However certain expenses had to be taken from that money such as a block study, which cost $10,000 and consultant work, and advertisements to sell bricks of which over 800 have already been sold.

However, hardly before restoration started additional unforeseen expenses came up with the balusters, windows and barrier installation, all of which were not budgeted into the overall cost. APLHS now must raise an additional $25,000 in the next few months to complete this phase of the restoration. However, by the time this newsletter reaches you the contractor will have started major restoration of the tower.

The restoration and saving of this tower is vital to the maritime history of our nation. Built in 1943 by the United States Coast Guard, it was the only lighthouse built in honor of the lighthouse keepers of yesteryear. Now owned by the University of Connecticut the lighthouse had deteriorated badly over the years from neglect and the elements.

The battered old tin top from the Avery Point Lighthouse was rusted and splintered. Photograph by Dale Treadway.

 

Mark Robinson hard at work in the rain - now that's dedication! He is working on the top for the new lantern room for Avery Point Lighthouse. Right next to him being built simultaneously is an identical top for the new gazebo that will be at the lighthouse and will resemble the lighthouse. Both tops will be covered in copper sheeting when complete.

West Mystic Wooden Boat Company at Mystic Shipyard in Mystic, CT is providing labor free of charge for the replication of the Avery Point Lighthouse lantern room. A special thanks goes out to the owners of the Mystic Shipyard for their support.

Submariners step forward to help Avery Point Lighthouse, so can you
By Timothy Harrison

For quite some time now the Avery Point Chapter of ALF has been selling bricks for the walkway at Connecticut's Avery Point Lighthouse as part of its fund raising efforts.

Thanks in part to the efforts of Bob Walker and John "Gumba" Carcioppolo the Groton, CT. chapter of the United States Submarine Veterans Inc., (USSVI), came forward and purchased 55 bricks in memory of lost submarines (there are a total of 65 lost subs). The group is hoping that their members will follow their lead by buying a brick for every submarine and every submarine crewmember lost at sea and submarine sailors who have passed on.

If you know of anyone that has served on a submarine, you might want to pass this information on to them and them contact Bob Walker at 860-460-3642 or 860-694-3888 or send a completed or uncompleted (if you want them to pick a name from those lost at sea) to Bob Walker, 108 Warner Street, Groton, CT 06340.

Applications for the bricks can be found at averypointbrick.tripod.com/brick11.jpg

I know that many of you have purchased bricks as part of the fundraising to help restore Avery Point Lighthouse in Connecticut. However, if you haven't we would certainly encourage you to do so. ALF chapters and members need to help each other out and should purchase a brick in the name of their lighthouse and keepers who served at their lighthouse. Let's all pitch in and get all the bricks sold and help restore the only lighthouse in America built as a memorial to the lighthouse keepers of yesteryear.

Remembrance held at Lightship Memorial
It was only a few years ago in 1999 that the Lightship Sailors Memorial was dedicated in New Bedford, Massachusetts, but by now many have already forgotten about this - the only memorial of its kind in the United States.

Having attended the service that day, I'll never forget the tolling of the bell as the names of those who lost their lives in lightship duty were read. I'll never forget the playing of the taps, as the Coast Guardsmen stood in full dress uniform at attention and watching the tears in the eyes of the descendants. I'll never forget how little I know about lightships and what was considered by most as the most dangerous job in the old Lighthouse Service and Coast Guard. But I'm learning more and more everyday about what it was like to live and work on a lightship exposed to everything that Mother Nature and man could throw at them, with no protection at all.

On National Lighthouse Day a few of those who remember those days when lightships dotted the most dangerous parts of our coastline came once again to the memorial on the waterfront in the maritime city of New Bedford, MA. They came to lay a wreath, they came to remember and they came to honor.

So, the next time you're in the New Bedford, MA area, take a moment to go down to the waterfront, at Coast Guard Park, near the New Bedford Office of Tourism and visit the Lightship Sailors Memorial. While you're there take a moment, to pause, meditate or say a prayer in memory of those who lost their lives protecting our coast.

A lone wreath was placed on the Lightship Sailors Memorial on National Lighthouse Day. Photograph by Bill Collette.

NELL Chapter Hosts Benefit on the Block for the Southeast Lighthouse
By Shirin Pagels

Lighthouse enthusiasts, Harbour Lights collectors, and the Block Island community came together Saturday, August 9th to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the move of the Southeast Light. New England Lighthouse Lovers (NELL), a chapter of the American Lighthouse Foundation, hosted the Benefit on the Block. In celebrating the move of the lighthouse in 1993 that saved this lighthouse from imminent danger, the major goal of this event was to raise funds to assist the on-going restoration of the lighthouse.

Fundraising efforts were started long before the day of the event. Prior to the event, Benefit Drawing tickets were sold as well as tickets for a Featured Opportunity Drawing. The Benefit Drawing consisted of several lighthouse related prizes that were donated to NELL. The Featured Opportunity Drawing included two very special prizes. The winner, Sandra Jennings of Washington Depot, Connecticut had her pick of being able to be the first to stay two nights in one of the Lighthouse Keeper's suites when the lighthouse renovation is completed or a Harbour Lights Gold Southeast Light on the Move piece. Mary Jane Foster of Groton, Connecticut will receive the prize that Sandra opts not to take. Sponsorships at various levels were also available.

Most of the activities for the day took place under two tents set up on the grounds of the lighthouse. NELL volunteers took charge of making lunch, hamburgers and hot dogs under one tent while other volunteers were busy selling commemorative t-shirts, pins, magnets and more at the merchandise tables. Special note cards were available featuring artwork of the lighthouse submitted by students from the Block Island School. A large part of the day's events included an auction run by George Foster of Epsom, NH. George, a professional auctioneer, kept the crowd on their toes as they bid against one another for great items including a lighthouse quilt featuring the Southeast Light, various lighthouse photographs and prints, several rare Harbour Lights pieces, paintings of the Southeast light, and many other lighthouse related items. Tours of the lighthouse were also available throughout the day. This gave participants the chance to see up close just how much work is needed to bring this lighthouse back to its former glory.

Harbour Lights founder Bill Younger and Art Director Harry Hine were both on-hand to sign pieces for collectors. A special edition of Harbour Lights' Southeast Light on the Move was available for purchase. An extra sticker was affixed to the bottom of each replica in honor of the event.

Perched atop Mohegan Bluffs at the southeast tip of Block Island, the historic light built in 1873, is the highest lighthouse in New England. The octagonal tower with attached Victorian Gothic styled keeper's quarters is the only lighthouse in the country that uses a green light to illuminate its first order Fresnel lens. Due to the severe erosion of the bluffs that the light rests upon, the lighthouse with attached quarters was moved 250 feet in 1993. A rock now sits near the edge of the bluffs to mark the location where the center of this National Landmark once stood.

Portsmouth Lighthouse To Be Declared Excess Property
New Hampshire's Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouse will be declared excess property by the United States Coast Guard and will be given away under the National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act.
We will be applying for ownership of the tower as it did with Little River Light Station. The tower is currently licensed to ALF and is managed our chapter the Friends of Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouse under the direction of Jeremy D'Entremont.

The Friends group holds numerous open houses at the lighthouse throughout the year, has established an interpretative display on the history of the lighthouse and is raising money to restore the oil house and maintain the tower for future generations.

Visitor Anne Klein descends the winding stairway at Portsmouth Harbor, NH, Lighthouse during a recent open house. Photo by Gary Richardson.

Crowd gathering in line for a chance to climb the Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouse tower.

Rockland hosts Light to Light Walk/Run
Maine Lighthouse Week got off to a quick start thanks to the first annual "Light to Light" Walk/Run hosted by The Friends of Rockland Breakwater to raise awarness and money for the restoration of the Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse.

The weather cooperated making for a perfect day for running or walking the 7 1/2 mile course from Owls Head Light to the park by the Breakwater lighthouse.

Putting a race/walk like this together is no easy task. There were T-shirts to be ordered, publicity to get people to find out about the race, a route to be planned, police escorts to be requested, tables to be set up, race times to be tracked, registrations to be done, water stops set up, road guards to be arranged for, an ambulance on stand by, and so much more, all done by the volunteers of the ALF chapter for the Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse.

 

Perkins does it again

 

Don Perkins has done it again. This replica of Maine's Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse, built by Don, was donated to the Friends of Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse in honor of Ken Black for his dedicated years in building the largest collection of lighthouses lenses in a museum in the United States. Don donated the replica on his wedding anniversary and he and his wife Louise were treated to a wonderful dinner by the Friends members. Don's lighthouse replicas are in museums, libraries and government buildings from Ohio to North Carolina and throughout New England.

. . . And again
ALF member Don Perkins explains the details of how he built the gigantic replica of the Clarks Point Lighthouse and Fort Taber at the official unveiling of the replica as it was donated to the City of New Bedford, MA. Don and his wife Louise are active members of ALF.

 

The Clark's Point replica is on display at the Visitors Center at Fort Taber. For information on viewing times contact the New Bedford Office of Tourism at 508-979-1745.

LETTERS

Forthelights comments

Well, we've just come home from a terrific weekend at the ALF Conference in Westport, MA. The rain couldn't dampen the spirits of all who came and enjoyed the gatherings.

We'd like to say a special THANK YOU to everyone who participated in the Silent Auction, Flea Market table, and good-bag auction. We weren't really sure how something new like this would be received, but the enthusiasms and support were unbelievable and surpassed our wildest dreams.

Thank you EVERYONE, for making it such a terrific weekend! ALF continues to grow and prosper through the selfness efforts of its volunteers - we are proud to be included in this growing movement to save maritime history through the preservation and restoration of America's lighthouses. We treasure the friends we've made through our involvement in ALF, and wish all the same for all the new members.

Be sure to check out the EBAY auctions for the American Lighthouse Foundation. Our seller name is "forthelights" and every penny will be used for rescue and restoration.

Tom & Judi Kearney
ALF Volunteers

Dear Lighthouse Friends,

I read of the American Lighthouse Foundation in a recent issue of Lands' End Catalog. Discovering our lighthouse plight was a blessing is disguise.

My aunt was a lighthouse nut (if you'll pardon the expression), and visiting them along the east coast was her idea of a vacation for 40 plus years.

After her death in 1999, I found wonderful memorabilia she had collected over the years . . . Just recently, I was thrilled to find a "home" for these treasures - to another fan of lighthouses!

I've been searching for the right foundation (or charity work) to honor her each year, in November, the month of her passing. She gave much time to her areas of interest in life, and I wanted to do something for her that will continue.

Your lighthouse group is just the ticket. She would be so pleased. Enclosed is a token of my support for this wonderful work.

Dan & Jan Streek
Missouri

From our speaker

Susan and I extend our most heartfelt appreciation for including us at the ALF event. We are impressed with the generous outpouring of support by the Foundation's members and by the unselfish contributions of you and your volunteers. You must all be very proud of what you have accomplished, and deservedly so.

Let us know if there is anything we can do for you in the future.
Kevin Duffus

5000th visitors climbs into history at Pemaquid Point

Maine's Friends of Pemaquid Point Lighthouse chapter recorded their 5000th visitor to climb the tower this summer, the first year that the lighthouse has ever been open to the public.

The first official guest to climb the lighthouse this past June was Maine's Governor John Baldacci and the 5000th guest was Master Sgt. Claudia Chudakoff of the United States Marine Corps String Quartet "The President's Own." Friend's volunteers Bob Kline and Joe Ponti were on hand to greet the 5000th visitor.

This is amazing since volunteers have only been able to open the tower on a part-time basis. Hopefully, as more volunteers become available, the tower will be open for longer hours next season.

Seguin Island Lighthouse Caretakers
Wanted: a compatible couple to live on Seguin Island, Maine for the summer of 2004 to caretake a majestic historic lighthouse and surrounding 64 acres of grounds, 2 1/2 miles off shore from the mouth of the Kennebec River. Stewardship includes guiding visitors through the museum and lighthouse as well as maintenance of grounds and buildings. Duties are assumed Memorial Day weekend and run through Labor Day, with one weekday ashore to take care of personal needs. Qualified applicants will possess outstanding public relations skills, good work ethics, maritime experience, complete with a sense of adventure and humor. Weekly stipend of $75.00 per person is available. Please send a resume and letter of introduction to: 2004 Caretakers, Friends of Seguin Island, PO Box 866, Bath, Maine 04530 or email

Kevin Duffus Headlined Fundraiser
Reprinted with permission from Lighthouse Digest

Historian, filmmaker, and author Kevin Duffus captivated the audience at a recent American Lighthouse Foundation fundraiser held on the Rhode Island Massachusetts border this past May.
Duffus told the amazing story of how he solved one of the biggest lighthouse mysteries of all time when he found the missing first order Cape Hatteras Fresnel lens, which had been lost since the Civil War.

He even brought with him a section of the glass prism and part of the brass framework that held the lens to show the crowd. Naturally, nearly everyone in attendance bought and had him autograph his book, The Lost Light.

Tim Harrison, our president said this was by far the most successful fundraiser the group had ever held. " I could not believe the generosity of people, in the purchasing of raffle tickets, the silent and public auctions and the outright donations.

The weekend event raised money to purchase a AERO lens, equivalent to a 3rd order Fresnel lens for the foundation's Museum of Lighthouse History, money to complete the Race Point Lighthouse solarization project, money toward the Dutch Island restoration and funds for the general operating account of the American Lighthouse Foundation.

The first-ever American Lighthouse Foundation's Len Hadley Volunteerism Awards were presented to Judi Kearney of Pennsylvania for her work on the ALF E-Bay auction site and her donation of artifacts to the museum and to Lee Leighton who volunteers 30 hours per week mailing out membership kits and merchandise from the ALF online store.

The weekend also saw the first time that one of the ALF chapters presented another ALF chapter with an award, when the Avery Point chapter presented a plaque and a special thank you to the Cape Cod chapter for a $25,000 donation toward the restoration of Avery point Lighthouse. The money from the Cape Cod chapter came from money raised from overnight stays at Race Point Lighthouse on Cape Cod, which is managed by the volunteers of the Cape Cod Chapter of ALF.

Judi Kearney accepts the American Lighthouse Foundation's Len Hadley Volunteerism Award from ALF president Tim Harrison at the recent ALF fundraiser. Judi was given the award for her management of the ALF E-Bay auction site and her donations of artifacts for the Museum of Lighthouse History in Wells. At this meeting, among her various other donations, she donated a U. S. Bureau of lighthouses Wave Meter, which is now on display at the Museum of Lighthouse History in Wells, Maine. Photograph by Dee Leveille.

Our Point of View
Political clout can get you anything
But is it the right way to go?
By Timothy Harrison

A United States Congressman from Ohio has stepped in to help Ohio's Toledo Harbor Lighthouse, which is one of the most fascinating architecturally constructed lighthouses in the nation. U. S. Representative Marcy Kaptur (D-Toledo, OH) has secured a $500,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Energy to help provide power to the lighthouse, so that it eventually can be opened to the public, possibly as a bed and breakfast.

The plan calls for the solar cells that currently provide energy for the light in the tower to be supplemented with wind-generated energy and a geothermal heating and cooling system. According to the plan a breakwater would also be built, that would surround the lighthouse to provide space for a wind turbine generator as well as a place for boats to dock. The idea is that the project would create an alternative source of energy that could be used in other remote areas, plus generate tourist dollars.
I have no problem with this plan, provided Congresswoman Kaptur would help pass federal legislation that would give money to every nonprofit that already has or will be obtaining ownership of a remote lighthouses under the National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act

Let's face it; we know that lighthouses can generate tourist dollars. But, it's going to take a lot of overnight stays at a lighthouse to pay for $500,000, which does include the enormous sum of money that it will take to actually restore the Toledo Harbor Lighthouse.

If federal money is going to be used to help save one lighthouse, then federal money should be used to help save all lighthouses, especially those in remote areas where there is a small population base making it improbable to raise sufficient funds to save a particular lighthouse.

Many nonprofits are struggling to raise money to save and restore a remote lighthouse, those that people hardly ever see, generally without help from government agencies. Some of these have already been saved by nonprofits. Or one such as Race Point Lighthouse on Cape Cod, (which most said could never be saved), has been saved and alternate energy was installed and paid for by money that the nonprofit raised, without any government help. But it took, ten years. Some lighthouses don't have ten years left, plus the longer restoration is held off, the higher the cost becomes.

The National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act was passed to allow the United States Coast Guard to get out of the business of trying to maintain and save historic lighthouses. Lighthouses. Once high up on their priority list, lighthouses have steadily fallen to the bottom since automation. Let's face it, the Coast Guard has many more important duties in this day and age than taking care of lighthouses that have become obsolete, no matter how historic they are.

Allowing nonprofits to compete for ownership of a lighthouse on equal footing with other state and federal government agencies is a good idea, in spite of what is happening at Currituck Lighthouse in North Carolina. But Congress must put up the necessary money to be made available for any lighthouse that is in desperate need of funds to save it, and I not talking about the big tourist attraction lighthouses.

What about all those remote lighthouses, lying miles off shore, on tiny wind swept islands, barriers, reefs or anchored to the oceans floor? Is Congress going to help them and the non-profit's or communities that want to save them? Or is it going to be a pick and choose, based on clout, or will it be a fair and just system to all?

Let's face it, many non profits are capable of maintaining a lighthouse, but raising the hundreds of thousands of dollars to restore historic buildings that the government let deteriorate to their current condition in the first place is a situation that needs to change. And then there's all the lengthy red tape that a nonprofit needs to go through just to get approval to meet the historic guidelines for preservation, rules and laws that are ignored if no one wants a lighthouse and it goes up for auction to the highest bidder.

It's time that Congress puts some teeth into and money behind the National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act, not just for one favorite lighthouse, but also for all of our lighthouses that need help now.

New Michigan Chapter

We are pleased to announce a new Michigan chapter, the Friends of Middle Island Lighthouse.
The new chapter will be working to raise money for the restoration and maintenance of the tower at Middle Island Light Station, which is located in Lake Huron (near Thunder Bay) Alpena, Michigan. The group will work closely with the Middle Island Lightkeepers Association, which owns the keepers house at Middle Island, which they are in the process of restoring to open as a Bed and Breakfast. Currently, they rent out the restored fog signal building for overnight stays. Last year ALF donated $2,500 toward the restoration of the keeper's house at Middle Island.

The Coast Guard owns the tower at Middle Island and the new Friends chapter will work to secure a license from the Coast Guard for the tower and eventually apply for ownership of the tower when it is excessed.

Chairman of the new group is longtime lighthouse preservationist Robert L. Fournier. At press time membership categories had not yet been set up but will be shortly. To learn more or join the Friends, write to, Friends of Middle Island Lighthouse, c/o Carl Jahn Jr., 1549 Richmond Rd, Smiths Creek, MI 48074, or email -

New Lightship Chapter
We are pleased to announce that the National Maritime Lightship Trust Foundation is now an official chapter of the American Lighthouse Foundation.

The primary mission of the new chapter is save maritime history and artifacts as it relates to lightships and their role in the old U.S. Lighthouse Service and U.S. Coast Guard.

To learn more about the new chapter visit the web site for the National Maritime Lightship Trust.

Former keeper visits Wood Island Light
It's been many years since Cliff Trebilcock was stationed at Maine's Wood Island Lighthouse. Thanks to the efforts of the Wood Island chapter, Cliff made a recent return visit to the island where he was a lighthouse keeper in 1971-72.

He was able to recount many stories to the volunteers of his life at the station. Cliff was on hand to help volunteers fly the United States flag from the station; the first time it has been on display there for many years.

One of the many stories he recalled was when local lobsterman Marshall Alexander, now the Harbor Master, delivered medicine to the island in rough weather for Cliff's son who was ill at the time. Alexander, unable to land, put the medicine in an empty peanut butter jar, secured it to a life ring and threw it across the rocks where it was retrieved by Cliff.

Look for more stories of Cliff's memories at Wood Island Light in future issues of Tower Notes and on our web site.

ALF honored with National Trust Award
As we went to press it was announced that The National Trust for Historic Preservation selected the American Lighthouse Foundation, had awarded, along with fifteen other federal, state, and non-profits, The National Trust for Historic Preservation's 2003 National Preservation Honor Award for the National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act Pilot. Program Partnership.
This year's winners were announced at the 2003 National Preservation Conference held in Denver, Colorado on October 2nd. Not only did this national award from such a distinguished organization surprise us; we are humbled and honored by it. We will provide more details on this in the next issue of Tower Notes and on our web site at www.LighthouseFoundation.org

Volunteer work dates at Little River Light
Following are volunteer work dates set for Maine's Little River Lighthouse in Cutler, Maine.
Plan now to attend to help in the final phases of restoration and island clean up of this island light station.

You can volunteer for a day at a time or during the entire time. Just let us know. Additional information such as area lodging etc. will be in the next issue of Tower Notes and posted on our website www.LighthouseFoundation.org
Saturday June 26 to July 5
Saturday July 24 to August 1
Thursday August 19 to August 22

Friends of Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouse Sunset Cruise
On June 20, 2003, the Friends of Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouse, a chapter of the American Lighthouse Foundation, held their first sunset fundraising cruise. Over 100 people boarded the M/V Granite State at Rye Harbor State Marina on the New Hampshire seacoast for the trip to view Isles of Shoals (White Island) Light, Whaleback Light, and Portsmouth Harbor Light.

Despite a forecast of rain, the weather and sea conditions were perfect and a reddish sunset provided a gorgeous backdrop for Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouse and its fixed green light. Narrator and chapter President Jeremy D'Entremont told the passengers about the history of each lighthouse as well as present preservation efforts.

Many items were raffled during the cruise, including lighthouse replicas donated by Harbour Lights, a ticket voucher for the Music Hall in Portsmouth, and other items provided by volunteers of the chapter. About $1600 was raised in all through ticket and merchandise sales and the raffle. The cruise was a big success and the Friends of Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouse plan to offer at least one similar event next year.

Special thanks to all the volunteers who helped out on the cruise, including Vice President Joanne Yeaton, Treasurer Toni Galvin, Paul Conlin, Peg Conlin, Keith Fornal, Mike Petrilli, Kathy Petrilli, Dave Lombardi, Vanessa Stranski, and Victor Tine. Thanks also to Leo Axtin, owner of Granite State Whale Watch, and to Captain Peter Reynolds and the crew of the Granite State.

Float approved for Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse
Maine's Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse has added a float at the end of the mile long breakwater to make the lighthouse more accessible to the general public. Before the float was installed, the only way to reach the lighthouse was to walk the long breakwater to the end where the lighthouse rests. The long walk is over uneven rocks that many people cannot do. The float now allows people to access the lighthouse by boat and walk up a short ramp to the lighthouse.

A Journey Through Time

Tim Harrison, president of American Lighthouse Foundation being filmed for the new documentary, Lighthouses of Maine, A Travel through History, which is scheduled to air on PBS-TV in Maine this fall. It will focus heavily on ALF efforts and make an appeal for help. The film in either VHS or DVD will be available through the Lighthouse Depot Catalog at 1-800-758-1444 or online at www.LighthouseDepot.com.

Republic's Oldest Citizen

Connie Small, known in lighthouse circles as the "First Lady of Light" proudly shows off her citizenship papers for the Republic of Boon Island that she received as one of her 102 birthday gifts. Connie is known for her wonderful and popular book, The Lighthouse Keeper's Wife and has given over 550 lectures on lighthouse history and why it is vital to save the memories of the men, women and children who lived at our nations lighthouses.

Citizenship papers for the Republic of Boon Island are sold to raise money for the restoration of Maine's Boon Island Lighthouse and are available online or by mail from ALF. P.O. Box 889, Wells, ME 04090 Ph # 207-646-0245. Citizenship papers make unique gifts and help save the lighthouse.

Flag raising at Little River
Last year ALF bought a new flag and flagpole for Little River Lighthouse. It lasted about one week. Realizing the windy conditions at the lighthouse this year we purchased a heavy-duty pole to replace it.

Tim Harrison and Lee Leighton dug a new hole and filled it with cement and with extra braces installed the new flag pole was soon in place and stars and stripes are again flying at Maine's Little River Light Station.

In an attempt to stir up interest to raise money for the restoration of the keeper's house at Maine's Perkin's Island Lighthouse, Rod Bealieu, cochairman of the Friends of Perkin's Island Light, chapter of ALF and Tim Harrison, president of ALF gave a special presentation to Maine's Georgetown Historical Society. Georgetown is one of the several communities that are near the lighthouse, which is located on the Kennebec River. The tower at Perkin's Island is leased by the Coast Guard to ALF but the keeper's house is owned by the State of Maine and is dilapidated and in danger of being lost if money is not raised to restore it.

The booklet entitled The United States Revenue Cutter Service in the War with Spain 1898 is one of many such publications recently donated to the American Lighthouse Foundation. The booklet was published by the United States government in 1899 and details in great detail the actions and bravery of the crews of the Revenue Cutter Service during the war. The Revenue Cutter Service eventually became the United States Coast Guard.

The collection of rare documents and books in the collection of ALF is growing every month. It is hoped that in the future we will be able to raise sufficient funds to establish a research library to preserve and house the growing collection.

East End Lighthouses' Trip to Boston Light a Great Success
A group of forty lighthouse lovers journeyed from Long Island to Boston on June 29th. The trip started in Greenport, Long Island where people boarded the Sunrise Coach bus which then departed Orient Point Long Island for an hour and a half trip across Long Island Sound to New London, Connecticut. After arriving in Boston the group boarded the National Parks Service vessel, Hurricane for the ten mile trip out to Little Brewster Island on which Boston Light is located. There they were met by Merle Wiggin president of East End Lighthouses who was also on duty as a Coast Guard Watchstander (Lighthouse Keeper) for that week.

Boston Light is the oldest light station in the country (1716) and the only manned lighthouse in the US. The group was promptly treated to a real New England Clam Bake with steamed clams, sweet corn, fried chicken and all the lobster they could eat, followed by a variety of deserts. Following the meal, all were given a tour of the island with quite a number making the 100 foot climb to the lantern room to view the light's second order Fresnel rotating lens. At the end of the tour the group boarded the vessel Hurricane for the trip back to the mainland and the return bus trip to Long Island. Because of the success of the tour, East End Lighthouses is considering making Boston Light an annual event.

Another EEL Success
Three hundred lighthouse lovers enjoyed the East End Lighthouses chapter's annual all day offshore lighthouse cruise. Even though the weather was not perfect, the rain held off until the return trip. Cross Sound Ferry, Inc on their vessel North Star provided transportation. Lighthouse sites visited included Long Beach Bar, Orient Point, Plum Island, Little Gull, Race Rock, North Dumpling, Latimer Reef and Watch Hill.

Cruise participants were treated to a continental breakfast, a five course sit down lunch, Long Island wines and close up view of the lighthouses. Next year's East End Lighthouses cruise is scheduled for the first Saturday in June.

Kickoff for New Home of Shore Village Museum

Reny Stackpole, consultant to Maine's Lighthouse Museum, Ken Black, founder of the Shore Village Museum in Rockland, Maine and Peter Ralston, founder of the Maine Lights Program and vice president of the Island Institute proudly toast the new home for the Shore Village Museum with a Shipyard Light Ale. The toast was held at the unveiling of the new location of the Shore Village Museum. Shipyard Light Ale, which features six different lighthouses on its bottles is a corporate sponsor of the American Lighthouse Foundation.

Harrison Speaks To Faulkner's

Shown here left to right - Tim Harrison, president of ALF, members of the Faulkner's Island Light Brigade, Joel Helander, founder; Fred Farnsworth, chairman, and Joe Arnold, vice-chairman.

The occasion was Tim's visit to the group to address one of the evening lectures. The photograph was taken in the Henry Whitfield State Museum in Guilford, CT which houses a fantastic exhibit on the Faulkner's Island Lighthouse.

Unfortunately the Henry Whitfield House, which is New England's oldest stone house, is in danger because of financial problems in the state of Connecticut. The Governor wants to close all the state's museums as well as eliminate the Connecticut Historical Commission. Apparently he has no concept of the old saying that a nation that does not save its history is a nation that will soon be lost.
The public outcry over the destruction and theft of artifacts at the museum in Baghdad, Iraq was tremendous, yet many Americans sit idly by while their elected officials do the same thing in America.

New Chapter Formed for Wood Island Lighthouse
On a windy cold snowy day in April the first organization meeting of the Friends of Wood Island Lighthouse, a new chapter of the American Lighthouse Foundation was held above a small fire house in Biddeford Pool, Maine.

In spite of the inclement weather a large group showed up expressing their support for the new group. In fact, the first two membership checks handed in were for $1000 each. Since that first day, the Friends have held several more meetings and started various restoration projects at the lighthouse. To learn more about the group or if you'd like to join visit the web site at www.LighthouseFoundation.org and click on Wood Island Lighthouse.

Wood Island Float
The Friends of Wood island Lighthouse took the First Place Trophy in the 4th of July parade held in Biddeford Pool, Maine. A paper mache replica of the Wood IslandLight captured top honors in the coveted "cars and floats" category. The handsome float was designed by Friends member Diane Noble of Hills Beach, Maine and was towed in a little red wagon behind Kyle Noble's 1976 MG. The float was followed by Friends' Chair Brad Coupe in his vintage red Mustang sporting a holiday bunting and a "Friends of Wood Island Lighthouse" banner on the side.

Rumors that the impartiality of unnamed judges had been compromised by monetary rewards were quickly quelled by parade officials. Friends Chapter membership of some of the judges was purely coincidental, Chapter leaders said. "Our float was artistic and inspirational," Brad said. "It captured the spirit of history and it evoked the principles that America honors on the 4th. The judges were naturally overwhelmed," he added.

The trophy and the float are currently on display at the Biddeford Pool Community Club.

Shipyard Brewing Saves Lighthouse for ALF
Also donates auction proceeds to help save lighthouses

At the recent Lighthouses on Parade auction where over 60 of the 10-foot tall decorated Lighthouses on Parade were auctioned off to benefit Maine nonprofits, the American Lighthouse Foundation's Ye Beacons lighthouse was saved thanks to the winning bid of Shipyard Brewing of Portland Maine.

As part of the community arts program, to benefit Maine non-profits, Shipyard Brewing and LITEHOUSE Foods originally combined their efforts to pay for a 10-foot tall lighthouse for the American Lighthouse Foundation to help us in our efforts to draw public attention to their efforts in saving our nations lighthouses and their history. They also paid for noted Maine photo-artist John Byrne to design the lighthouse.

Immediately after winning the bid on Ye Beacons, Shipyard Brewing donated the lighthouse back to the American Lighthouse Foundation. The lighthouse, decorated with photo overlays of pictures of lighthouses in a patriotic theme, was on display this past summer at Hannaford Supermarket in Wells, Maine. It will now be on display temporarily at Lighthouse Depot in Wells and later moved to another permanent indoor location, hopefully in the Museum of Lighthouse History.

Shipyard Brewing also purchased two other lighthouses at the auction, which they will display at their Portland and Kennebunkport locations. Under the terms of the auction 50% of all winning bids is to be divided up between Maine Center for the Deafness, The Senator George J. Mitchell Scholarship Research Institute and the Cancer Community Center and the other 50% of the proceeds is to be given to the nonprofit of choice of the winning bidder.

Our President, Tim Harrison, said he is elated over the fact that the foundation will be able to keep the lighthouse on public display. Harrison went on to say, "We are thankful for people like Fred Forsley of Shipyard Brewing who have made a commitment to helping us save lighthouses. Hopefully other companies will follow their lead."

Shipyard Brewing and LITEHOUSE Foods are both corporate sponsors of the American Lighthouse Foundation. Shipyard Brewing of Portland, Maine donates a percentage of its sales from Shipyard Light Ale, which features six different labels with lighthouses back to the American Lighthouse Foundation. LITEHOUSE Foods, which makes salad dressings, dips and sauces that are available in the produce section of many grocery stores, donates a percentage of its sales back to the American Lighthouse Foundation.

Little River Restoration Continues
Funds running out

The month of August was a busy month for volunteers at Maine's Little River Lighthouse with people coming from as far away as Alabama and Florida to help with the restoration.

Hal Biering, a 70-year plus person, who considers himself a "professional volunteer" and has previously helped with lighthouse restoration projects in Canada, spent a month in Maine to use his professional carpentry skills at Little River. Hal hauled his 34-foot Airstream trailer all the way from Alabama to enjoy his summer helping to save history.

We are grateful to Ramsdell Construction Co in Cutler, Maine for letting Hal park his trailer at their site and hook up for water and electricity as well as for the use of their tools, which made Hal's job a lot easier.

Hal spent most of his time working in the kitchen of the keeper's house. He rebuilt and repaired the pantry off the kitchen, installed a new ceiling in the kitchen, which had collapsed. The new ceiling is an exact duplicate of the one that was there. He also built a temporary porch to replace the one that had collapsed over the winter months. A new porch will be built when we receive permission from the Maine State Historic Preservation Officer.

Hal Biering is no stranger to carpentry and electrical work. He has traveled all over the world, building and repairing everything from specialized machinery to building unusual structures. Back home in Alabama he is president of Eastern Shore Affordable Housing, which helps provides homes for the poor.

Restoration work is a long and difficult process, especially when you need to get approval and wait for as long as 90 days for that approval. Under the covenants of the deed for Little River, we are required to have all work approved by the United States Department of the Interior through the State Historic Preservation Officer before we can do the work.

Hal also took down the cabinets in the large kitchen pantry and sanded them to their original finish, removing many coats of paint that had been applied over the years.

Hal had to work hard to accomplish this goal, he had to travel quite a distance to the nearest lumber yard, purchase the materials, drive back to Cutler, load the materials on the boat, most times by himself, drive the boat to the island, unload the materials, most times by himself, and then haul the material the 1/2 mile to the lighthouse.

Dave Corbett, a descendant of one of the lighthouse keepers, from Massachusetts, also came to help on two separate weeks with two different crews of volunteers, one week with 12 people and another week with 11 people. They camped on the island in some of the worst possible weather conditions that one could imagine. Most of the month of August at the lighthouse was rainy, damp and the island was closed in due to fog, in fact it was one of the foggiest August months in years.

But in spite of the bad weather Corbett's crew was able to burn years of construction debris that had accumulated on the island, and jacked up the ceiling in the living room and reattached it to the joists and totally scrape and remove all the loose paint from two of the upstairs bedrooms and clear and cut hundreds of yards of brush and fallen trees.

On two other separate weeks crews of different volunteers removed several truckloads of trash and hauled it to the dump and scraped and sanded the parts of the boathouse that were not restored and then painted the entire boat house, repaired and reinstalled the Underwater Electric Cable sign, and installed a flag pole near the boat house.

We hope by the time you get this newsletter, we will have received permission to restore the clapboards of the keeper's house and repaint the exterior of the house and install a new front porch before winter sets in. We also hope that the electrician will have started to rewire the entire keepers house. However, these two projects will deplete the bank account and restoration work will have to stop until we raise some more money.

We need to raise at least $250,000 to complete the restoration of the house and install a pier for safe access for the general public. This can only be accomplished through the generous donations of our members and friends.

Hal Biering working on the kitchen restoration.

Fund requirement for 2004 - Who Will Help?
Restoration of Little River Light Station $250,000.00
Restoration at Prospect Harbor Light $35,000.00
Completion and distribution of Teachers Resource Manual $10,000.00
Painting of the dome of Cape Elizabeth Light and repair of windows $18,000.00
Restoration of interior building at Pemaquid Point Light $10,000.00
Restoration of stairway and interior of Boon Island Light $50,000.00
Documentation and preservation of donated artifacts for museum $175,000.00
Perkins Island Lighthouse Boathouse $65,000.00
Purchase of two new boats for lighthouse restoration projects $90,000.00
Protective fence at Newport Harbor Light $10,000.00
Completion of Rockland Breakwater Restoration $45,000.00
Avery Point Light $75,000.00
Middle Island Light $25,000.00
Wood Island Light $200,000.00
Wood End Light $5,000.00
Long Point Light $2,500.00
Dutch Island Light $75,000.00

Annual American Lighthouse Foundation Spring Event!

Evening Dinner at Skippy's Pier I
in South Yarmouth, Mass.
Saturday, May 15, 6:00pm
Lots of Raffle Prizes!

Sunday, May 16, 7:00am to 10:00am
Brunch at The Ramada, Hyannis
More Raffle Prizes!

American Lighthouse Foundation
P.O. Box 889, Wells, Maine 04090
Ph. 207-646-0245

Dinner: $35.00
Brunch: $20.00
Both: $50.00

Saturday Evening's presenter will be Bob Trapani, Jr., President, Delaware River & Bay Lighthouse Foundation

Most of the lighthouses on the Cape will be open for Cape Cod Maritime Week, with many events throughout the weekend sponsored by individual groups. Driving directions to all the Cape Cod lights will be included with your tickets.

A portion of the proceeds of this event will go directly to the Prospect Harbor Lighthouse in Maine.

We have a block of rooms reserved at the Ramada Inn in Hyannis. Rooms are $89 and you must mention American Lighthouse Foundation to get the discount. To reserve a room call 1-800-676-0000.

Click here to order tickets!

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