Winter’s Icy Grip Doesn’t "Freeze" Restoration Plans at Pemaquid
Point Lighthouse
Winter 2008-09
has been a memorable one along the Midcoast of Maine, with the affects
of frigid arctic air and powerful snowstorms taking turns wreaking havoc
on the region.
While
accumulative snow and icy temperatures have kept many people indoors for
much of the winter, lighthouses like Pemaquid Point continue to stand
Photo by Bob Trapani, Jr.
(L to R) FPPL's Marty Welt and Bob Kline
talk with Jim Leslie of J.B. Leslie
Masonry Company about the next phases of
restoration at Pemaquid Point Light
sentinel in the
face of such harsh elements along Maine’s rugged coastline.
One might think
that the tower’s ‘keeper’ – the nonprofit American Lighthouse Foundation and
its local chapter, Friends of Pemaquid Point Lighthouse, are waiting until
spring and warmer weather before returning to the historic beacon, but
that’s not the case.
The American
Lighthouse Foundation (ALF) and Friends of Pemaquid Point Lighthouse (FPPL)
have remained busy through winter 2008-09 planning needed restoration
projects at the lighthouse, which will help keep the historic tower looking
great and standing strong well into the future.
From
rehabilitating the tower’s lantern and exterior entryway to repointing the
interior brickwork and addressing general maintenance needs, ALF &
Photo by Bob Trapani, Jr.
Evidence of a February 23rd snowstorm
remained on the north side of Pemaquid Point two days later...note the
window covered
with snow
FPPL is
actively preparing scopes of work and associated project costs.
They are also
formulating restoration priorities and preparing plans to present to the
Maine Historic Preservation Commission and United States Coast Guard in
accordance with the U.S. Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for
Preservation that will guide the next phases of restoration work at
Pemaquid Point Lighthouse during 2009 and beyond.
“With a
structure built in 1835, restoration projects are always being planned,”
says Marty Welt, chairman for the Friends of Pemaquid Point Lighthouse.
“This is the case with the Pemaquid Point Lighthouse. Although a major
restoration was
completed on the
exterior of the granite block tower in 2007, many areas still need
attention.”
Mr. Welt goes on
to say, “Our current priority is the lantern room, which sits atop the
granite tower. This room houses the Fresnel lens and the light’s
electronics, and is constructed of steel and wood. Time has taken its toll,
and now the lantern room needs some restoration work. It is anticipated that
work on this area of the tower will take place this year and next. Following
this project, we will be restoring the small brick room attached to the
tower and the interior brick and mortar of the tower.”
“As with the last
restoration in 2007, current projects are being planned jointly by the
American Lighthouse Foundation and its local chapter,
Friends
of Pemaquid Point Lighthouse. ALF's Executive Director, Bob Trapani,
continues to be an excellent partner and resource to FPPL as these
projects are planned and accomplished.”
So while
winter may still be hanging on during the month of March along the
Midcoast of Maine, ongoing restoration at Pemaquid
Photo by Bob Trapani, Jr.
It may still be winter but ALF &
FPPL are
busy making plans to continue restoration
at
Pemaquid Point Lighthouse
Point Lighthouse
continues to be a ‘hot’ topic with its ‘keepers,’ all of which promises to
keep this iconic beacon preserved for years to come.
