On June 11 and 12, 2007, Building Conservation Associates
(BCA) worked at the base of the 38-foot Pemaquid Point Lighthouse
seeking to “go back in time” through testing and analysis of the
historic tower’s exterior coatings to learn more about its past.
The investigative work, made possible by a $10,000 “New
Century Community Program” historic preservation grant from the Maine
Historic Preservation Commission to the American Lighthouse Foundation,
was a key milestone in the pre-planning process for the exterior
restoration of Pemaquid Point Lighthouse in summer 2007.
Photo by Bob Trapani, Jr.
BCA
conservator Melissa
McGraw performs testing on the tower's
exterior coatings
BCA summarized their work at the lighthouse, noting, “Our work included
coatings research, two site visits, field testing, and preparation of a
report summarizing the field testing and making recommendations for methods
of removal (of the exterior coatings).”
The American Lighthouse Foundation (ALF), which serves as the caretaker for
the 1835 sentinel, contracted with J.B. Leslie Masonry Contractors of
Berwick, Maine, to remove the existing exterior coatings on the tower, as
well as the deteriorated mortar between the structure’s granite façade. In
addition, the contracting firm will also recoat the tower.
Prior to commencing the restoration project during the required Section 106
consultation process (per the Standards for Preservation) with the
Photo by Bob Trapani, Jr.
Amy Cole Ives of Maine Historic
Preservation Commission talks with
BCA regional director Andrea Gilmore and conservator Melissa McGraw
Maine Historic Preservation Commission, ALF and the
Commission agreed that if possible, it would be best to learn even more
about the existing coatings on the lighthouse in order to ensure the
structure’s historic integrity was fully protected. Thus ALF entered
into a contract with BCA for this purpose.
The expertise provided by Building Conservation
Associates enhanced the
knowledge already
in-hand from the U.S. Coast Guard (owners of the historic tower), Maine
Historic Preservation Commission, J.B. Leslie Masonry Contractors and ALF.
“Working with BCA presented a wonderful opportunity to make sure ‘no stone
was left unturned’ in our efforts to perform the exterior restoration of
Pemaquid Point Lighthouse in the most responsible manner possible,” says Bob
Trapani, Jr., ALF executive director. “The team of talented partners
involved in this project is as good as it gets in lighthouse preservation,
which makes the whole effort extremely satisfying.”
To learn more, visit .
Photo by Amy Cole Ives
BCA's Melissa McGraw
explains the testing process
to ALF's Bob Trapani
Photo by Bob Trapani, Jr.
BCA's Andrea Gilmore
examines flaking coatings and
deteriorated mortar joints
