Hudson River Lighthouse and Fall Foliage Boat Tours (New York)
Explore the historic lighthouses and stunning landscapes of the Hudson River on a scenic boat ride! Aboard the Solaris, you can discover wildlife, dive into the industrial history of Rondout Creek, hear spooky legends of the river on a candle-lit tour, or simply enjoy a lazy cruise with the family. All the tours are socially distanced and have reduced capacity. There are several tours to pick from.
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Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse (FL) Celebrates 160 Years
Originally commissioned in 1853, construction on the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse was first delayed by storms that closed the inlet, and then by the outbreak of the Third Seminole War. However, once building began, progress was swift, and the beacon was officially lit on July 10, 1860. Operated by Loxahatchee River Historical Society, it has been open to the public for tours since 1994.
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Old Cape Henry Lighthouse (VA) reopens to the public
After being shuttered for nearly seven months due to the pandemic, the old Cape Henry Lighthouse is open to the public again with some new rules and a busy staff. Time slots will be set aside for groups of family or friends to climb the lighthouse tower. A maximum of 10 people will allowed inside at one time, and masks are required. General admission includes a walking tour of the site where the colonists first landed in 1607 and a World War II-era concrete bunker.
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Jimmy Buffett performs at Thomas Point Shoal Lighthouse (MD)
Jimmy Buffett performed two songs at Maryland’s Thomas Point Shoal Lighthouse on October 9 for a new music video series following the singer on his voyage from Long Island, New York, to the Bahamas. Buffett, a sailor and lighthouse enthusiast, is anchoring at various seaside sights along the way since the pandemic canceled most concerts. In the early morning light, Buffett played one song up in the gallery and another in the lighthouse’s parlor.
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Mukilteo Lighthouse (WA) gets a new roof
Mukilteo city crews aided in the recent replacement of the roof at the Mukilteo Lighthouse. The tile color and material was specially sourced to match “Coast Guard red” and was approved by the State Historic Preservation Office.
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New Dungeness (WA) Keepers continue their watch
Washington’s New Dungeness Lighthouse has been fully staffed and maintained through COVID-19 shutdowns and the temporary closure of the Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge, according to the New Dungeness Light Station Association. “This continues a tradition begun in 1994 when the nonprofit association (NDLSA) was formed by local volunteers to preserve and protect the iconic lighthouse and surrounding light station area by having ‘Keepers’ on watch at the station 24/7 every day of the year,” a press release said.
Earlier this summer a small work party poured a 1,500-pound base to support the new addition of a 1936 Coast Guard Fog Bell at the entrance to the Light Station. A week later they carted the 1,200-pound bell out and installed it.
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Lighthouse Challenge of New Jersey being held this weekend
The Lighthouse Challenge of New Jersey is an annual event that takes place the third weekend of October each year. The Lighthouse Keepers, who manage the Challenge, have decided that they can hold this year’s event on Oct. 17 and 18, while meeting the guidelines from the CDC and the regulations of the New Jersey Department of Health.
The challenge can also be done virtually during the entire month of October.
Click here to see what lighthouses are open and the schedule
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 D’Entremont 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