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Managing Organization:
Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts
Telephone: 609-884-5404
Website: http://www.capemaymac.org/
Email:
Contact Address Information:
1048 Washington Street
Cape May
New Jersey, 08204, United States
Notes:
In 1986 Cape May Lighthouse was leased to the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts (MAC); the active optic is still maintained by the U.S. Coast Guard. MAC has assumed the responsibility of restoring the lighthouse and interpreting it as a historic site. Restoration has been funded by nearly $2 million in grants. The lighthouse has been repainted in its original color scheme -- the tower is light beige and the lantern is red. Future plans include restoring the grounds and rebuilding the privies.
Tower Height: 157
Height of Focal Plane: 165
Characteristic and Range: Flashing white every 15 seconds, range 24 nautical miles.
Description of Tower: Beige, conical brick tower with red cast iron lantern.
This light is operational
Other Buildings?
1860 two-story keeper's house, storage building, 1893 brick oil house.
Earlier Towers?
1823: 68-foot tower; 1847: 78-foot tower.
Date Established: 1823
Date Present Tower Built: 1859
Date Automated: 1946
Optics: 1859: First order Fresnel lens.
Current Use: Active aid to navigation, museum.
Open To Public? Yes
Museum?
Visitor orientation takes place in the restored oil house. Visitors are invited to climb the 199 stps to the top of the lighthouse. There are panels of historic interest at each landing in the tower. The lighthouse is open daily April through November and weekends most of the rest of the year. Open 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. late June to Labor Day, shorter hours other months.
Directions:
East on US Route 9: Go right on CR 626 (Seashore Street and Broadway), then right at CR606 (Sunset Street). Turn left at CR 629 (Lighthouse Road) and follow to the lighthouse. South on NJ Route 109 in Cape May: Follow CR 633 (Lafayette Street), then go right at Jackson Street. Turn left at West Perry Street, cross CR 626 (Broadway) and follow onto CR606 (Sunset Street). GO left at CR 629 (Lighthouse Road) and follow to the lighthouse. The lighthouse also can be seen from occasional Delaware Bay Lighthouse Cruises offered by the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts. Call (609) 884-5404 for the latest cruise schedule.
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places
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