Rockland, Maine, seeks congressional earmark for lighthouse
Rockland City Council voted Monday evening, April 4, to seek congressionally-approved money that would make improvements to the Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse. The Council approved applying for congressional directed spending of $125,000 to make improvements to the lighthouse. The city would need to match that dollar for dollar for a total of $250,000. The match can come from private donations.
The lighthouse needs considerable work, including replacing rotted sills and trim, masonry work, painting outside, and plaster work inside. A decision on whether Rockland will receive the money is not expected for about a year.
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Bodie Island Lighthouse (NC) opens for climbing April 27
Bodie Island Lighthouse will be open for climbing this year from Wednesday, April 27 through early fall. A limited climbing season at the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse may be possible this summer but potential dates have not been finalized.
A special event to celebrate the Bodie Island Lighthouse’s 150th anniversary is being planned by Cape Hatteras National Seashore, Outer Banks Forever and the Outer Banks Lighthouse Society. Event details will be announced in the coming months.
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The Great Lighthouse Hunt hits the shores of Staten Island, NY
The Great Staten Island Lighthouse Hunt is on! Starting at 10 a.m. on Sunday, May 15, adventurers have six hours to touch down on points shore-to-shore to hit up lighthouses throughout the borough.
With a start at either the National Lighthouse Museum in St. George or the Conference House in Tottenville, trivia questions and special stickers are located at each stop along a special map. Participants must finish by 4 p.m. at either location. Winners can score tickets to the National Lighthouse Museum’s signature boat tours of the Upper New York harbor this spring. Other bonuses: trekkers will learn about the 10 lighthouses on and off Staten Island and receive a special award ribbon.
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Cape Canaveral (FL) Lighthouse 5K/10K launches amidst America’s gateway to space
The Cape Canaveral Lighthouse 5K/10K at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, America’s premier gateway to space, promises to be one of the area’s most unique runs. The race is at 8 a.m. May 1. This is a historic inaugural run that will launch from and finish at the Cape Canaveral Lighthouse, which has been providing navigational aid to mariners for more than 150 years.
Participants will receive a custom bib, performance shirt, finisher medal, chip timing with live results and a tour of the Cape Canaveral Lighthouse. Those who register by April 15 will have their names printed on their bib. This is also a wonderful opportunity to visit this very special lighthouse. Normally, visits to the lighthouse, museum and gift shop are available only by prescheduled tours.
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Delaware River and Bay Lighthouse Foundation sets first lighthouse restoration work party May 14
The Delaware River and Bay Lighthouse Foundation, dedicated to preserving the historic lighthouses of the Delaware River and Bay, has scheduled its 2022 work parties in support of the ongoing restoration of the Harbor of Refuge Lighthouse on the breakwater just offshore of Lewes.
Red Moulinier, preservation coordinator and past president, is coordinating this effort. The first restoration work trip will be held Saturday, May 14. Those who are interested must contact Moulinier by email at sunnyshots@msn.com well in advance of the date.
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Full moon climbs in 2022 at Cape May Lighthouse, NJ
Cape May MAC (Museums+Arts+Culture) offers rare opportunities for nighttime climbs up the 199 spiral steps of the Cape May Lighthouse in New Jersey during select full moon dates each year. A full moon climb is a special chance on clear nights to see the spectacular full moon in all its glory. Climbers can enjoy a nighttime view nearly 156 feet above the Delaware Bay and Atlantic Ocean.
Mark your calendar now for these special evening climbs in 2022: Saturday, April 16 (7:00pm–9:00pm), Monday, May 16 (7:00pm–9:00pm), Tuesday, June 14 (8:00pm–10:00pm), Wednesday, July 13 (8:00pm–10:00pm), Thursday, August 11 (8:00pm–10:00pm) and Tuesday, November 8 (7:00pm–9:00pm) Admission for these special evening climbs is $20 adults, and $10 for children ages 3-12. Tickets are available for purchase on site the evening of the event. Visit capemaymac.org for updates.
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Funding for Scituate Light (MA) restoration to go before Town Meeting voters
Scituate Lighthouse remains rich in the history and identity of the Massachusetts town. “It is visited by thousands of people, locals and tourists, each year,” said Jeff Martell, a member of the Scituate Historical Society, and chair of the Lighthouse Preservation Committee. “In fact, according to Travelocity, it is the number one attraction in Scituate. Each year there are numerous wedding photographs and engagement proposals there.”
Article 12, submitted by the Community Preservation Committee, will ask members of Town Meeting, taking place at 7 p.m. on Monday, April 11, to approve $2 million to restore the lighthouse.
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Want waterfront property with a $15,000 starting bid? Florida Keys lighthouses for sale
If you think the hot real estate market in South Florida is limited to houses and condos, you haven’t seen these three places for sale. OK, they may need some fixing up. And they aren’t exactly luxurious. But do they have a great water view. The federal government in February has put up for auction a trio of lighthouses, out of the original six, that dot the Florida Keys coral reef. That means if you come up with the right price and you’re not outbid, you could own one of the historic structures.
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Warwick, RI, wins $775k grant for Conimicut Lighthouse
Warwick, Rhode Island, Mayor Frank Picozzi will hold a press conference today to announce a $775,000 federal grant awarded to the City of Warwick to restore Conimicut Lighthouse. The funding will be used to evaluate and restore the lighthouse. The work will include weatherproofing and repainting the structure along with repairs.
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Cana Island Lighthouse (WI) undergoing $1.1 million restoration
Cana Island Lighthouse and keeper’s quarters, a popular landmark off Door County’s Lake Michigan shoreline near Bailey’s Harbor, will undergo much-needed restoration work in 2022. That means that while the island and all other buildings will be open, the keeper’s house and lighthouse tower will both be closed while work is underway. The keeper’s quarters are expected to reopen sometime in June, and the lighthouse tower will reopen in late August.
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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 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
The 3 Reef Lighthouses for sale are a huge money pit, there is salt water and the government controls the water. The water next to the lighthouse is shallow so if you think you will bring a barge up to it, forget it. No utilities, no fresh water and forget about flipping the lighthouse, so far I haven’t see one that happened.
Oh and the Federal Government will have to approve all work as well as the State of Florida.