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Lighthouse News of the Week – April 22, 2022

Historic, century-old cottages hit the market on North Carolina island

The lighthouse keepers’ cottages at Captain Charlie’s Station are for sale on Bald Head Island, NC. The three historic homes, named after lightkeeper Capt. Charlie Swan, were built in 1903.

“Old Baldy” Lighthouse, North Carolina. (Bald Head Island Limited)

Click here for a video about the properties

Read more here

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Events announced for Marblehead Lighthouse’s 200th spectacular (OH)

Officials recently announced the dates and list of performers for this year’s celebration in honor of the Marblehead Lighthouse’s 200th anniversary. Under the name 2022 Summer Lighthouse Events, it’s all part of a summer-long series featuring family-friendly activities, which are geared to commemorate the lighthouse’s bicentennial.

Marblehead Lighthouse, Ohio. USLHS photo.

Click here to read more

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You can volunteer to be a lighthouse keeper and live on Ocracoke Island (NC) this summer

Officials are seeking volunteers to be lighthouse keepers on Ocracoke Island this summer. Cape Hatteras National Seashore is looking for volunteers to live and work on the island from Memorial Day to Labor Day.

Ocracoke Light Station, North Carolina. USLHS photo.

Click here to learn more

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Fundraiser launched for vandalized Whitehaven lighthouse (England) tops £1,500

Whitehaven’s West Pier lighthouse, England. DANNY SEWARD / CC BY-SA 2.0

More than £1,500 has been raised to fund repairs to Whitehaven’s newly restored lighthouse after it was vandalised less than 24 hours from being unveiled to the public.

The community was left reeling after yobs smashed the glass windows of the West Pier lighthouse on the harbour following a ribbon cutting ceremony held last Monday.

Six of the new windows were damaged by firing large metal pellets at them, completely breaking one window and damaging the frame of another. Now a fundraising campaign has been launched to help cover the cost of the repairs and install extra security measures to deter any further vandalism.

Click here to read more

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Turkey Point Light Station (MD) receives $100k grant for bell tower reconstruction

Turkey Point Light Station, Inc, was recently approved for a $100,000 state bond toward reconstruction of the station’s bell tower. The bond was approved by the Maryland General Assembly during the 2022 legislative session. The bell tower was installed in 1888. A second story was added in 1942 to aide in the observation of the upper bay by Coast Guard personnel to guard against German subs that were operating along the Atlantic Coast.

Early 1900s view of Turkey Point Light Station (USLHS photo)

Original drawings from the National Archives were obtained and the replica will be built in a similar design with modern structural upgrades. Modern plans and engineering drawing have begun and construction is anticipated to commence this summer.

Click here to read more

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All proceeds from Hike to Hook Lighthouse (Ireland) will go to Ukraine

The annual Hike to the Hook returns to the Hook Peninsula on Saturday, April 23. This 20km road walk along one of Ireland’s most scenic routes starts out from Tintern Abbey and ends at the world-famous Hook Lighthouse.

Hook Lighthouse, Ireland. USLHS photo.

Proceeds from Hike to the Hook will now be donated to the Irish Red Cross Ukrainian Crisis Appeal. For more info on the event and around tickets go to www.hiketothehook.com.

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Celebrate Florida Lighthouse Day in Ponce Inlet

To celebrate Lighthouses, the National Historic Landmark Ponce Inlet Lighthouse and Museum invites the public from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday, April 23, to enjoy a day of historical celebration of those unique sentinels of the sea.

Ponce Inlet Lighthouse, Florida. USLHS photo by Scott Walbert.

Docents in U.S. Lighthouse Service uniforms will answer questions and conduct orientation tours at the lighthouse station. Climbing Florida’s tallest lighthouse tower with its breathtaking view from the gallery is always a special treat.

Click here to read more

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Wood Island Lighthouse (ME) prepares for season, volunteers needed

Since 2003, the Friends of Wood Island Lighthouse, a chapter of the American Lighthouse Foundation, has been responsible for the restoration and maintenance of the Coast Guard properties on Wood Island, just off the coast of Biddeford Pool. In the months of July and August for the past 18 summers, the group has welcomed local guests and tourists from across the country to the island aboard the landing craft, Light Runner.

Wood Island Light Station, Maine. Photo by Jeremy D’Entremont.

After two years of limited operations due to COVID-19, the Friends plan to expand tours to four mornings a week in 2022. To do this successfully, additional volunteers are needed to serve as docents, lead the tours, recount the stories of the lighthouse and its keepers, of heroism and rescues, and, perhaps, of the resident ghost. Those interested should enjoy interacting with adults and children and can lead tours periodically throughout the two-month season. For more information, contact fowil1806@gmail.com.

Click here to read more

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Neds Point (MA) Lighthouse tours return

Tours of Neds Point Lighthouse, 50 Neds Point Road in Mattapoisett, Massachusetts, will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. alternate Saturdays, from May 7 to Oct. 15.  The tours are run by United States Coast Guard Flotilla 63 of Marion.

Neds Point Lighthouse, Massachusetts. Photo by Jeremy D’Entremont.

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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


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