Battling coastal erosion at East Point Lighthouse, New Jersey
A major battle against the forces of nature continues next to the East Point Lighthouse in Maurice River Township, New Jersey. County and township workers recently moved 50 sandbags, each weighing 3000 pounds, to reinforce the berm that protects the lighthouse from the encroaching surf. This is a temporary fix, in preparation for the placement of a 900-foot “geotube” on the site. The geotube will be buried in the beach sand to create a natural dune. It’s hoped the project will happen in the late summer.
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A new lighthouse on the Patchogue River, New York
Patchogue, a village on the south shore of Long Island, New York, has a new lighthouse on the Patchogue River. The lighthouse, manufactured in the midwest, has replaced a nondescript structure on the village’s east jetty. “It’s a neat and needed addition to the Patchogue River,” said mayor Paul Pontieri.
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Cambridge Lighthouse Foundation seeks volunteer “keepers” for Choptank River Lighthouse, Maryland
The Cambridge Lighthouse Foundation is looking to expand its roster of volunteer “keepers” at the Choptank River Lighthouse for the coming season. Keepers staff the Lighthouse on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays between May and November.
The lighthouse is a replica of an earlier beacon that guided vessels on the Choptank River.
To sign up or learn more about volunteer opportunities at the Lighthouse, call 410-463-2653 or email ChoptankLighthouse@gmail.com.
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Upcoming Events
“Spring Fling” for lighthouse preservation in Kittery, Maine
Friends of Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouses, a chapter of the American Lighthouse Foundation, is holding an event on Saturday, April 6, at the Kittery Lions Club at 117 State Road (Route 1) with music, food, a silent auction and raffle. Admission is free, donations accepted.
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Annual American Lighthouse Foundation Lighthouse Gala on April 28
This year’s American Lighthouse Foundation Gala is on Sunday, April 28, from 1-5 p.m. in the ballroom of the beautiful Nonantum Resort (95 Ocean Ave.) in historic Kennebunkport, Maine. The event includes awards presentations and “Through A New Lens: Augustin Fresnel,” a presentation by Joseph Smith.
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Jane’s Walk at the National Lighthouse Museum, May 4 and 5
This annual event is a global festival of free, citizen-led walking tours inspired by urban activist Jane Jacobs.Tour the former U.S. Lighthouse Depot and Pier 1 with National Lighthouse Museum staff May 4 at 1:00 p.m. and May 5, 2019 at 3:00 p.m.
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Montauk Music Festival, May 16-19, Montauk, New York
This year’s Montauk Music Festival will be on the grounds of the Montauk Lighthouse Museum.
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“Light Hearted” podcast to premiere June 3
The U.S. Lighthouse Society Podcast “Light Hearted,” hosted by historian Jeremy D’Entremont and featuring interviews with people from all over the lighthouse world, premieres on June 3. It will be accessible on this site and on iTunes. Watch for more details!
Jeremy D’Entremont is the author of more than 20 books and hundreds of articles on lighthouses and maritime history. He is the president and historian for the American Lighthouse Foundation and founder of Friends of Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouses, and he has lectured and narrated cruises throughout the Northeast and in other regions. He is also the producer and host of the U.S. Lighthouse Society podcast, “Light Hearted.” He can be emailed at Jeremy@uslhs.org