 Restoration
and Preservation
The Town of Rockland received the lighthouse as part of the
Maine Lights Program in 1998. The purpose of this program
was to alleviate the Coast Guard from the responsibility of
maintaining these historic structures that for their purposes
had become somewhat redundant with the automation of the aid
to navigation. Tight government budgets necessitated that
something be done and in an effort to preserve and not tear
down these structures, the Maine Lights Program was initiated
to deed lighthouse structures from the Coast Guard to municipalities,
other government organizations or non profit groups. Unable
to undertake the effort involved in restoring and maintaining
the lighthouse, the town of Rockland leased the Rockland Breakwater
Lighthouse to The Friends of Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse
which was formed as a non profit to meet the challenge. For
a small group of people, this might have seemed to be a daunting
task. The building had been uninhabited since the last Coast
Guard keeper was removed in 1965. With virtually no maintenance
having been done in the intervening years, the lighthouse
had suffered the assaults of coastal weather, Maine winters,
roof leaks and vandalism. After some initial fund raising
and grant writing, work was ready to begin. ^
Note: Roll mouse over the kitchen image above to see dining
area before restoration. |
|
First
Five Year Plan
Major accomplishments in those first five years
included hiring a contractor to remediate hazardous materials
from the lighthouse, upgrading electrical work, replacing
the tower railing with historically accurate reproduction
railing, and major cleanup in order to invite the public into
work in progress. Windows have been restored, and authentic
storm shutters have been designed and installed to secure
the building against further vandalism.
Work continues with our Second Five Year Plan
restoring the engine room windows by replacing the glass block
installed by the Coast Guard to secure the building with historically
accurate reproduction windows and storm shutters. Wainscoting,
and trim have been matched to pieces found at the lighthouse
and every effort is made to maintain historic accuracy. See
our photo gallery for more.
|
 |
|
| |
 |
You
may have noted from looking at our Five Year Plans that
projects have been shuffled to meet safety and security
requirements. Priorities may have changed but the list of
projects hasn’t. We answer to many authorities and
agencies during this effort and are limited to a short working
season. A tremendous amount of work, fundraising, public
exposure and progress has been accomplished through the
efforts of volunteers and professionals. Within
the next five years, we should complete the restoration
of the structure and begin the process of outfitting the
lighthouse with permanent interpretive displays.
How can you help keep the light? If you would like
to grab a paintbrush and join us, please contact our Project
Coordinator, Warren Kincaid, at projects@rocklandlighthouse.com
How else can you help? Become a sustaining member
or make a tax deductible donation
to help defer the costs of restoration projects. |
|
 |
| |
| |
| |
Hosting: |
|
|
Design: |
|
|
|
