Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse (FL) reopens for tours
The Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse & Museum reopened for tours this week. The landmark has been largely closed to the public since the start of the month so a variety of maintenance work could be completed. During that time, the lighthouse hosted a group of prominent visitors this month, including President Trump, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, and other Republican leaders. Trump is believed to be just the second president to make an official visit to the lighthouse. Grover Cleveland visited in 1889 with members of his cabinet, according to the Loxahatchee River Historical Society, which operates the lighthouse and museum.
The maintenance this month primarily concerned the lighthouse grounds, museum, and gift shop. The work included repairing plaster ceilings, repairing and cleaning the property’s brick pathways, and landscaping.
Click here for more informationClick here for the website of the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse & Museum
Click here for the website of the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse & Museum
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Meet Henry Osmers, the Montauk Point Lighthouse historian
Montauk Point Lighthouse is a National Historic Landmark that brings people from across the country to Long Island, New York. When Long Island’s Henry Osmers visited the historic landmark in 1957 on a family trip he was only seven years old, but was mesmerized by the beauty of the lighthouse. “I didn’t really see myself working at the lighthouse until many years later,” said Osmers. “In 2001 when I applied for a job as a tour guide here and it wound up turning into so much more.” Osmer’s passion turned into a second career path when he was offered a full-time job as a tour guide. He’s also written several books on the lighthouse and Montauk’s history. Below is a video about Henry Osmers.
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Australian lighthouse history featured in new book
Lighthouses have a fascinating history in Australia. Around 350 lighthouses have saved ships from running into catastrophe. John Cook spent 26 years tending Tasmania’s famous kerosene-operated lighthouses on Tasman Island, Maatsuyker Island, and Bruny Island. He shares his life story in his new book called The Last Lighthouse Keeper.
Click here to hear an interview with author and former lighthouse keeper John Cook
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You’ve never seen New York like this: Lake Ontario Lighthouses
Lake Ontario sports rich lighthouse history. Along the southern shores in New York, there are around 30 lighthouses you can visit cruising the Seaway Trail, many established before the Civil War. In this “You’ve Never Seen New York” video from Central New York Outdoors, seven of these magnificent icons of Lake Ontario are explored.
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Lion’s Head lighthouse resurrected on pier (Ontario, Canada)
The community of Lion’s Head, on the Northern Bruce Peninsula in Ontario, has rallied to ensure a storm last January didn’t spell the end of the story for the community’s iconic lighthouse. Since the landmark was destroyed by gusty winds and high waves, the community has raised about $15,000 in donations and materials to rebuild the red-and-white structure.
Creative Commons photo by TheGiantVermin
A small team of volunteers, led by retired high school shop teacher Brian Swanton and local builder Doug Hill, worked over several weekends this summer – with a final push in the past week – to construct the new replica lighthouse in sections in Hill’s workshop. On Monday, that work culminated with a “lift-in day” – during which Hunter Haulage transported the four sections to the Lion’s Head Harbour and a crane from Vanwyck Cranes lifted them onto a new concrete foundation on the pier.
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Commissioners approve grant award to fight erosion at Piney Point Lighthouse (Maryland) and Museum beach area
A $60,000 grant from the Department of Natural Resources will help fund the planning and design, and subsequent implementation of shoreline erosion correction at Maryland’s Piney Point Lighthouse and Museum beach area. A substantial portion of the beach has been lost, threatening the lighthouse and museum.
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Cape Vincent, New York, considering new walking trail, additional uses for Tibbetts Point Lighthouse
Local officials are looking to add a walking trail through town and add more attractions at the Tibbetts Point Lighthouse. The lighthouse is under federal jurisdiction, and can only be used for certain things. The lighthouse is owned by the town of Cape Vincent, and maintained by the Tibbetts Point Lighthouse Historical Society. Sally Williams, a member of the historical society board, said they would be thrilled to see more activity and investment in the lighthouse and related buildings.
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St. Anne’s Head Lighthouse in Wales goes on sale for £1m
The Old lighthouse at St Anne’s Head was decommissioned decades ago and was swiftly converted into an impressive home that makes the most of the stunning sea views. With four en-suite bathrooms, five reception rooms, plus a jacuzzi spa and pool room overlooking the ocean, the unusual home is one-of-a-kind. The real wow factor comes via the top-floor observatory, which offers an amazing 360-degree view of the local area.
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U.S. Lighthouse Society News is produced by the U.S. Lighthouse Society to support lighthouse preservation, history, education and research.
If you have items of interest to the lighthouse community and its supporters, please email them to Jeremy at Jeremy@uslhs.org
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