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Everyone gathered on the lawn of the Samoset Resort in view of Maine’s famous Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse knew it was the 100th birthday party of the lighthouse and the official kick off of Maine Lighthouse Week. There was a big cake, a beautiful ice sculpture of the lighthouse, and all kinds of refreshments, (compliments of the Samoset Resort). There was music playing, raffle tickets for sale, and all kinds of goodies for sale featuring the Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse. But no one expected the big surprise gift the lighthouse was about to get.
State Legislature Deb McNeil started off the ceremony by reading the proclamation from the Governor declaring Maine Lighthouse Week, followed by Ted Panyotoff, who talked about the new book on the history of the lighthouse that was now available as a fund raiser for the restoration. He then read off the names of all those who served over the years as keepers at the lighthouse.
It was then Tim Harrison’s turn to address the group; after all, he was the original founder of the Friends of Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse, which is a chapter of the American Lighthouse Foundation.
Harrison talked about general lighthouse history and why it is so vital to preserve that history for future generations. He then went on to remind the audience that Harbour Lights, the leading manufacturer of lighthouse replicas in the nation, had pledged to donate $5.00 from each one of its replica of the Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse sold toward the restoration of the historic structure. But that donation would not be made until Harbour Lights had sold all their inventory of the replica to their dealers across the nation. He then went on to explain how two nights previous, Kim Andrews, of Harbour Lights had surprised him (as he slowly unveiled an oversized check) at an American Lighthouse Foundation fund raiser in Massachusetts with a check for $32,500 from the sales of Rockland Breakwater replicas toward the restoration of the lighthouse.
As the crowd applauded, many of the volunteers had tears streaming down their faces. This was one big birthday present! Like so many other small lighthouse groups around the country, this group has been steadily working hard for several years to restore this historic lighthouse, the only one of its style in the nation, and a check this large goes a long way for a group of unpaid dedicated volunteers.
The Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse sits at the end of a mile long breakwater. Abandoned in the 1970’s, it was once scheduled for demolition. Once restored, the Friends of Rockland Breakwater plan on opening the lighthouse to the public as a living history museum, something that is now much closer to reality, thanks in part to Harbour Lights.
Our heartfelt thanks goes out to Harbour Lights for again leading the way to help save yet another American lighthouse.
This story appeared in the August 2002 edition of Lighthouse Digest Magazine. For subscription information about the print edition, click here.
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