The Museum of Lighthouse History is a member of the American Association of Museums.

Here is a partial list of items on display:

Flag of the Superintendent of the U. S. Lighthouse Service. Only a few remain in existence.

Brass oil can from U.S. Lighthouse Service - rare

Brass keeper's lamp from the U. S. Lighthouse Service - rare

Lanterns from U. S. Lighthouse Establishment - the only two known in existence.

Uniform jacket of the last keeper of the U. S. Lighthouse Service at Maine's Wood Island Lighthouse

Fifth order Fresnel lens - rare item, valued at $300,000

Large 1886 lighthouse lens encompassed in brass from a lighthouse in Madagascar.

Lighthouse lens from a Rhode Island Lighthouse that was toppled or destroyed in the 1938 hurricane. Divers recovered the lens in 1992 and volunteers restored it.

Various other lighthouse and buoy lenses of different types, size and style - most of these are rare.

Fog Bell from Isles of Shoals Lighthouse, recovered by divers.

Gigantic fog bell from a lightship.

Buoy fog bell.

Short-wave radio from U.S. Lighthouse Service - extremely rare, may be the only one in existence.

Large collection of uniform patches from various fire and police departments around the country that have a lighthouse on them.

Vintage movie posters that feature a lighthouse on them.

Badges of the U. S. Lighthouse Service Police - very rare.

Lighthouse Depot watchmen badges from the days of the U. S. Lighthouse Service.

Various hat pins and uniform insignias that were used over the years by the U.S. Lighthouse Establishment and U. S. Lighthouse Service. All extremely rare.

Civil War lighthouse keepers uniform hat.

Texas Oil Co. U. S. Lighthouse Service kerosene box - rare.

Brass Shield that was on the bow of U. S. Lighthouse Service Lighthouse Tender.

Brass Shield of the type that was affixed to U. S. Lighthouse Service Trucks, car doors of the Commissioner of U. S. Lighthouse Service, and Captains door of lightships.

Framed photographs of many of early lighthouse keepers, most from late 1800's and early 1900's.

Large flag from the Communists Russian Lighthouse Service. Most of these flags were burned, however a few survived. This large design is extremely rare.

Hundreds of vintage products that featured a lighthouse on them. Most, extremely rare.

Dinnerware/china from the U. S. Lighthouse Service. Extremely rare and priceless.

Artifacts from other lighthouse organizations around the world such as Indian Lighthouse Service, Irish Lighthouse Service and Trinity House in England; a uniform from the Polish Lighthouse Service. Also, a hat badge from the Nazi Germany Lighthouse Service.

Rare Coast Guard artifacts.

Artifacts from the U. S. Revenue Cutter Service, which became the U. S. Coast Guard.

Artifacts from the U. S. Life-Saving Service, which was merged into the Coast Guard.

Artifacts from the Steamboat Inspection Service, which was merged into the Coast Guard.

Artifacts from the Moving of Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, the tallest lighthouse in the nation. Included in this collection is a hard hat signed by a number of the workmen involved in the move.

Rare books, letters and documents of the U. S. Lighthouse Service.

The first mass-produced color newspaper in the United States where the front-page story was about lighthouses.

Vintage magazine advertisements that featured a lighthouse.

Models of lighthouses.

Kerosene cans and other items used by the U. S. Lighthouse Service.

The Museum of Lighthouse History is located directly next door to Lighthouse Depot on U.S. Rt. 1 (north) in Wells, Maine.

Throughout the rest of 2004 the museum is undergoing an expansion and will have many new changes such as new displays and interpretative signs. A small coffee bar has been installed for the benefit of visitors and a large screen TV shows lighthouse films.

The museum has a small gift shop that sells American Lighthouse Foundation logo items and a few other products that benefit the American Lighthouse Foundation, its 18 lighthouses and the museum.

The museum is open free to the public seven days a week from Memorial Day to Columbus Day, on weekends from Columbus Day to Christmas and other times by request or appointment.

The museum operates solely on donations and your financial support is needed to help pay such things as the rent, electric, phone and insurance.

The American Lighthouse Foundation has thousands of books, documents and photographs and other historical artifacts that are not on display because of a lack of space. It is hoped that someday a benefactor will come forward to help the museum expand to a larger location where more of America's lighthouse history can be displayed for the general public.

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