News of the week July 28, 2023
What’s next for Beavertail Lighthouse when Rhode Island takes ownership from the feds?
JAMESTOWN – From the top of the Beavertail Lighthouse in Jamestown, on a clear day the vistas expand to Martha’s Vineyard and Block Island.
For Varoujan Karentz, the hike up the spiral stairs and then the climb up a ladder to get into the top of the lighthouse isn’t worth it anymore. Karentz, in his 90s, is one of the founding members of the Beavertail Lighthouse Museum Association, and since the group’s founding in 1993 he has been integral in keeping up the lighthouse and its expansive and interactive exhibits. Work to create a museum was begun in 1983 by the Rhode Island Parks Association.
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An often-forgotten Brunswick Count, (Price’s Creek, NC) lighthouse could soon be restored
Standing alone on the backs of the Cape Fear River is an often-forgotten symbol of the state’s maritime history.
Known as the Price’s Creek Lighthouse, the 20-foot-tall brick tower has been witness to war, river traffic, and many hurricanes. But it’s not open to visitors. The lighthouse currently sits on land owned by Archer Daniels Midland Company in Southport.
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The Port Austin Reef lighthouse in Michigan’s Thumb is unmissable. So, why do boats ignore it?
PORT AUSTIN, MI — No, Jody Glancy will tell anyone who listens, the Port Austin Reef Lighthouse does not float on water.
Still, that was the message she sent earlier this month to followers of the Facebook page for the lighthouse, which stands — albeit partly submerged in water — on a Saginaw Bay reef about two miles north of the shoreline at the tip of Michigan’s Thumb.
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York Days 2023: Nubble Lighthouse (ME) lighting, movie on the beach, fireworks and more
YORK, Maine — York Days returns with its week-plus slate of beach events, culminating with a summertime lighting of the Nubble Lighthouse.
A movie on the beach, fireworks display and York’s National Night Out are on the schedule for this year’s York Days, set to take place Friday, July 28 through Sunday, Aug. 6. Santa Claus will make a summertime appearance to promote a toy drive at the Nubble, and the York Days 5K road race returns to bring runners to the stretch along Long Sands Beach.
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With Montauk Lighthouse (NY) Renovations Nearly Complete, Historical Society Prepares for Celebrations of Its Renewal
Painting crews are putting the last finishing brush strokes on the three-year restoration of the Montauk Lighthouse, returning its brilliant red and white navigational daymark atop the brownstone blocks that comprise the tower and the newly restored facade of the former U.S. Coast Guard station that now is home to the Montauk Lighthouse Museum.
The Montauk Historical Society will celebrate the restoration of the lighthouse at its annual Lighthouse Weekend on August 5 and 6, and with a ceremonial ribbon cutting on August 16 for supporters of the lighthouse and the renovation project.
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Michigan Lighthouse Festival Aug. 4-6 in Alpena, Presque Isle (New) lighthouse
ALPENA — The Michigan Lighthouse Festival will be held in Alpena and Presque Isle this year, Aug. 4 through 6, featuring historical presentations, a maritime market, and a lighthouse cruise on the Lady Michigan.
The Michigan Lighthouse Festival features a different lighthouse each year. The New Presque Isle Lighthouse is this year’s gem, out of the 129 lighthouses in Michigan, the state with the most lighthouses.
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Dine with spectacular views atop the historic Newburyport Harbor lighthouse in Newburyport, Mass.
One hundred and fifty years after it was built to keep boats safe off the coast of New England, a historic Massachusetts lighthouse is now dedicated to a very different — and delicious — purpose.
The Newburyport Rear Range Lighthouse, a landmark along Water Street, was originally constructed in 1873. It was a range light, which was used in tandem with another lighthouse to help keep vessels in a safe channel.
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Point Betsie (MI) Lighthouse shines maritime legacies
Editor’s note: This article was published in Grand Traverse Scene magazine’s Summer II 2023 issue. Pick up a free copy at area hotels, visitor’s centers, chambers of commerce or at the Record-Eagle building on Front Street. Click here to read GT Scene in its entirety online.
Situated along a lonely stretch of Lake Michigan shoreline is a site where natural, maritime and cultural history intermingle — Point Betsie Lighthouse. The Benzie County landmark’s stories of danger and heroics continue to inspire after 165 years of standing watch.
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Winthrop society to host talk on Cobbossee (Ladies Delight, ME) Lighthouse Aug. 10
Winthrop Maine Historical Society plans to host a talk by Jack Schrader, titled “Cobbossee Lighthouse: A Beacon for all on Ladies Delight Island in Winthrop, Maine,” from 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 10, at the Winthrop History and Heritage Center, 107 Main St.
On Ladies Delight Island in Cobbossee Lake in Winthrop stands the white and black stone Cobbossee Lake Lighthouse, of which Schrader has been involved in the care for many years.
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Fifth annual Port Clinton Lighthouse and Museum Festival set for Aug. 19
Port Clinton, Ohio – The fifth annual Port Clinton Lighthouse and Maritime Festival is scheduled to begin Aug. 19 at 10 a.m.
The free event which will feature a Plein Air Art Show, wooden boat show and live music will be held at Waterworks Park on Aug. 19 from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.
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Nobska (MA) Lighthouse tours resume this week!
We’re excited to announce that the tower is once again ready for tours! The Friends of Nobska Light has been working tirelessly along with our partners to update the grounds, and we are so happy to finally welcome you back. We are hoping to have the Keeper’s House open soon for viewing as well, at no charge.
Tower tours will be available on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10-12 starting July 25th. Our brand new Gift Shop will also be open during this time! As per usual, space for these tours is limited, and we invite you to reserve your spot ahead of time using the link below. Hope to see you soon!
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National Lighthouse Day Dance Contest
Cash Prizes to be awarded!
This is a call to all our friends all around the U.S to take part in a fun and unique event. The idea behind this is that we’re trying to foster a feeling of community among lighthouse groups, to celebrate what lighthouses mean to all of us, and to simply have fun.
We’d like people to all dance to the same song, during the same time period. Ideally, it should be near a lighthouse, although it doesn’t have to be. Submissions are necessary by 8/14, and you don’t have to dance to the entire song.
Click here for the song and more information!
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Port Washington (WI) 2024 Lighthouse Keeper Program Is Looking For You!
You can live in the Port Washington Historical Society’s 1860 Light Station, on a bluff overlooking Lake Michigan, in Port Washington, Wisconsin. Being a Keeper for one week or two weeks is a wonderful volunteer opportunity in which you will stay in the second-floor two- bedroom one-bath apartment and share your time and talents with visitors to the museum on the first floor.
Beginning in 2024, from mid-May through early September, the Light Station will be open to the public from 11AM-4PM, Thursday through Monday. The normal weekly schedule for Keepers is Wednesday to Wednesday with arrival in the afternoon and departure in the late morning. One day off (Tuesday) is given each week. Keepers are welcome to have friends or family visit the lighthouse in the evenings (after 4 pm), but guests are not to overnight at the lighthouse.
Groups of at least two and up to four individuals spend a week or two. Cost is $200 for a week (per two individuals) $360 per individual for two consecutive weeks. Keepers must be 18 or older. Children and pets are not allowed to stay at the lighthouse.
If you are interested in becoming a Lighthouse Keeper at the 1860 Light Station, please see our website pwhistory.org. for the keeper application, keeper handbook, and keeper availability calendar. Contact porthistinfo@gmail.com for further information.
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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