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The New England Lighthouse Foundation has completed its first successful season operating the restored Race Point Light Station on Cape Cod, Massachusetts as lighthouse keeper's guest house.

Guests are driven in by four wheel drive vehicle, since the nearest paved road is two miles away. They arrive by plane (Provincetown Airport), boat (Provincetown Marina) or simply drive and meet their hosts at the National Seashore Parking lot.

For the length of their stay, guests live as a lighthouse keeper's guest would have back in the 50's. Hosts, Leo and Linda Bedard say they've accumulated many great lighthouse stories to tell visitors to the light. One couple used their stay at the light to celebrate their engagement 32 years before on the very beach by the lighthouse. Another young man used the romantic setting to propose to his girl friend - of course she said yes!

"Overnight guest have thoroughly enjoyed themselves," said Linda, "Whale sitings, seals, shorebirds, and a sun that sets into the ocean all add to the fun and excitement of this unique place."

The Keepers Quarters has been restored on donations raised by the American/New England Lighthouse Foundation. Guest pay as little as $105.00 per night for opportunity to spend the night. Bill Collette, treasurer of the local group responsible for the lighthouse, says that funds will always be needed on an ongoing basis for continued maintenance as well as more indepth restoration, such as uncovering the old walkways, interior tower restoration and complete renovation of the old whistle house.

Local volunteer Jim Walker has organized over 4,600 man hours of restoration at the station. Tim Harrison, president of the Foundation said that "without the volunteer efforts of Jim Walker and his family of lighthouse enthusiasts, it would probably have taken us another two years to restore. The house is immaculate, A stay at Race Point is like a step back in time."

Next years hosts will include two adults, who as children, grew up in the Keepers House; and a Coast Guardsmen whose first duty station was Race Point. And of course there is everybody's favorite host, "Lenny" (Len Hadley) who always makes everyone laugh.

Reservations to spend the night at the remote Race Point Light Station on the tip of Cape Cod can be made by calling Leo or Linda Bedard at 508-888-9794.

This story appeared in the November 1998 edition of Lighthouse Digest Magazine. For subscription information about the print edition, click here.

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