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

 

SEARCH ALF WEB

Help ALF

Today!

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.

 

Sign-up for E-News

 

 
       
 

Pemaquid Point Lighthouse –

July 12th Update

 

 
 

As the crews of J.B. Leslie Masonry Contractors perform exterior restoration work on the light tower at Pemaquid Point, glimpses of the beacon’s past continue to reveal themselves.

 

In the process of removing the old exterior coatings from the tower’s granite facade and cutting out the deteriorated masonry joints, the beauty and craftsmanship that originally went into constructing the 1835 lighthouse have become more strikingly apparent.

 

“The original masons who built this lighthouse were highly skilled workers,” said Jim Leslie, president of J.B. Leslie Masonry

Pemaquid Point Lighthouse Restoration

Photo by Bob Trapani, Jr.     

The removal process of the

tower's old exterior coatings

 is nearly complete

 
 

Contractors. “As we continue to remove the exterior coatings, all I can say is – wow! The expert method in which they placed the stonework and tapered the tower is quite evident.”

 

Leslie went on to note, “I really enjoy history, so examining the original work that went into building this tower has given me a greater appreciation for the really nice job they did back then, especially as we work to restore Pemaquid Point Lighthouse today.”

 

The progress of the restoration project itself continues to move steadily ahead and on schedule. With the bulk of the work for the exterior coatings removal phase now completed, the crews of J.B. Leslie Masonry

 
 

Jake Johnson cuts out old mortar joints

Photo by Bob Trapani, Jr.   

Jake Johnson works on cutting out old deteriorated mortar joints

Contractors are focusing on the tower’s mortar joints. “By the end of this week we should have all the joints cut out,” said Jim Leslie.

 

In reviewing the restoration work completed to date, Jim Leslie noted, “The new materials will bond nicely on the stonework because of both the careful prep work and the fact that the new coating will now be the only coating on the exterior, all of which will allow for the stonework’s definition to show through much better.”

 

While crews wrap up the current restoration phase, the American Lighthouse Foundation and J.B.

 
 

Leslie Masonry Contractors are simultaneously consulting (an ongoing process) with the Maine Historic Preservation Commission and Building Conservation Associates to identify historically appropriate coating and mortar samples to consider before moving into the next stages of the project, which include repointing and recoating the lighthouse.

 

“Each phase of this restoration is a mini-project unto itself,” said Bob Trapani, Jr., executive director for the American Lighthouse Foundation. “As the project transitions into each new phase, being able to consistently draw on the historical structure expertise of the Maine Historic Preservation Commission, Building Conservation Associates and J.B. Leslie Masonry Contractors, as well as the United States Coast Guard (owners of the historic site), is proving to be invaluable.”

 

 
 

 A close-up view of

 the restoration progress from atop the lighthouse

Close-up view of the lighthouse

Photo by Bob Trapani, Jr.     

 

 
 

Jim Leslie, president of J.B. Leslie Masonry Contractors

Photo by Bob Trapani, Jr.    

 

Jim Leslie, president of J.B. Leslie Masonry Contractors, talks about the number of layers of coatings his crews removed from the granite stonework

 
 

Kevin McNamara cuts out old mortar joints

Photo by Bob Trapani, Jr.    

Kevin McNamara works on

cutting out old deteriorated

 mortar joints

Pemaquid Point Lighthouse under restoration

Photo by Bob Trapani, Jr.    

Pemaquid Point Lighthouse on

 July 11, 2007

 

 
     
 

Posted: 7/16/2007

 
       
 

 

 
 

Home / About ALF / ALF Lights / Museum / Support ALF

Membership / ALF Gift Shop / Education / Newsroom

Getting Involved / "Light" Thoughts / Advocacy / Search

 

 

 

©2007 American Lighthouse Foundation, Inc.

P.O. Box 565 - Rockland, ME 04841

All Rights Reserved. Copy and/or distribution of any kind is strictly prohibited.

 

For web site inquiries, questions or comments...Contact Webmaster