American Lighthouse Foundation

American Lighthouse Foundation

American Lighthouse Foundation

American Lighthouse Foundation

American Lighthouse Foundation

American Lighthouse Foundation

American Lighthouse Foundation

American Lighthouse Foundation

American Lighthouse Foundation

American Lighthouse Foundation

 Dedicated to Saving America's Lighthouses and Their History

 

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American Lighthouse Foundation

 American Lighthouse Foundation, Inc.

P.O. Box 565

Rockland, Maine 04841

Phone: 207-594-4174

Fax: 207-596-1091

info@lighthousefoundation.org

 

The American Lighthouse Foundation is a  Non-Profit 501(c)(3) Organization dedicated to the

preservation of America's historic lighthouses & lightships and

their heritage.

 

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Looking into History One

Coating at a Time

 

 
 

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.

 

BCA conservator Melissa McGraw

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

 
 

Amy Cole Ives, Andrea Gilmore, Melissa McGraw

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 Building Conservation Associates online.

 

 
 

BCA's Melissa McGraw explains testing process

Photo by Amy Cole Ives     

BCA's Melissa McGraw

 explains the testing process

 to ALF's Bob Trapani

 

BCA's Andrea Gilmore examines coatings

Photo by Bob Trapani, Jr.   

BCA's Andrea Gilmore

examines flaking coatings and deteriorated mortar joints

 

 
 

ALF, BCA & Maine SHPO

Photo by Bob Trapani, Jr.                              

(L to R) Amy Cole Ives, Andrea Gilmore,

Melissa McGraw, Bob Trapani,

Jim Leslie, Bob Kline & Joe Ponti

at Pemaquid Point Lighthouse

on June 12, 2007

 

 
     

       
 

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©2007 American Lighthouse Foundation, Inc.

P.O. Box 565 - Rockland, ME 04841

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