In most of today’s world, lighthouse keeping in the traditional sense is a thing of history. Automated modern optics require little in the way of human attention; in the United States, only one lighthouse (Boston Light) still has an official keeper employed by the federal government.
Italy has been slower than many countries to automate and de-staff their light stations, but come January 1, 2019, almost all Italian lighthouses will be automated. The BBC has published a compelling article about Carlo D’Oriano, the 88th and final keeper of the Punta Carena Lighthouse. Click here to read it.
Candace was the US Lighthouse Society historian from 2016 until she passed away in August 2018. For 30 years, her work involved lighthouse history. She worked with the National Park Service and the Council of American Maritime Museums. She was a noted author and was considered the most knowledgable person on lighthouse information at the National Archives. Books by Candace Clifford include: Women who Kept the Lights: a History of Thirty-eight Female Lighthouse Keepers , Mind the Light Katie, and Maine Lighthouses, Documentation of their Past.