May 31,
2010…Update # 6 - Phase II Restoration of Pemaquid Point Lighthouse is an
$84,000 project being funded and managed by the nonprofit American
Lighthouse Foundation and ALF chapter, Friends of Pemaquid Point Lighthouse
Finishing touches being applied to Pemaquid
Point Lighthouse
By Bob Trapani,
Jr.
The
history-making journey of Pemaquid Point Lighthouse during Phase II
restoration is coming down the home stretch, with just a few interior
finishing touches remaining.
For ten weeks
leading up to Memorial Day, the crews of J.B. Leslie Company, Inc., have
been busy performing the “heavy lifting” work associated with the 2010
restoration project, which has included phases such as masonry coatings
removal and repointing, ironwork rehabilitation and the recoating of
masonry, wood and iron components.
Photo by Bob Trapani, Jr.
Alan Spier maneuvers the
lift-boom above the lighthouse
as work "took to the air"
Much of this
critical work has occurred out of the public’s sight inside the tower. Even
when the crews moved to the outside of the lantern to rehabilitate the
ironwork, the off-season time period meant few visitors were around to
notice preservation in action at Pemaquid Point Light.
This all changed
in mid-May as visitors to the lighthouse began to increase in numbers, just
in time to observe J.B. Leslie Company “take to the air” while recoating the
exterior of the lighthouse. This work was not only dramatic to watch in the
moment, but also a visual restoration achievement that will draw the eyes
and focus of the public to Pemaquid Point Lighthouse all summer long.
Photo by Bob Trapani, Jr.
Brian Johnson applies a mineral coating
topcoat to the lighthouse as Alan
Spier maneuvers the lift-boom
Rather than
envelope the tower with scaffolding to remove oxidation stains and wash
down the exterior surface before recoating, J.B. Leslie Company opted
for the efficiency and flexibility afforded by a lift-boom to create an
aerial work platform from which to work.
Once the
granite exterior was properly prepped, the crew applied a white
mineral coating,
breathable waterborne inorganic paint manufactured by Edison Coatings, Inc.
This is the same coating used on Pemaquid Point Lighthouse during Phase I
restoration in 2007, and approved by the Maine Historic Preservation
Commission.
The finishing
touches that remain include the reestablishment of the brass vents along the
lantern’s interior parapet, cleaning the tower windows and repainting the
cement floor inside the entryway building.
Inside and out,
Pemaquid Point Light has a renewed sparkle as Phase II restoration winds
down – just in time for your visit during the 2010 summer season! The
Friends of Pemaquid Point Lighthouse, a chapter of ALF open the tower for
education tours 7 days a week from Memorial Day through Columbus Day.
Photo by Bob Trapani, Jr.
An elevated view of Pemaquid
Point Light following a new
topcoat being applied
Photo by Bob Trapani, Jr.
A close-up look at the lantern
with its restored ironwork
and new paint job
Photo by Bob Trapani, Jr.
J.B. Leslie Company
utilized a lift-boom for their exterior recoating efforts on the
lighthouse
Photo by Bob Trapani, Jr.
Alan Spier works on recoating
the granite stonework under
the lantern gallery
Photo by Bob Trapani, Jr.
Brian Johnson expertly handles
the recoating process from the
lift-boom platform
(L to R) Brian Johnson recoats the top of
the tower while Alan Spier maneuvers the lift-boom
Photo by Bob Trapani, Jr.
Photo by Bob Trapani, Jr.
Jim Leslie scrapes and cleans
the tower windows after the recoating
project
Photo by Bob Trapani, Jr.
Jake Johnson applies a natural cement
plaster to an alcove
