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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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ALF Begins Restoration at
Pemaquid Point Lighthouse
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Residents and visitors who seek out Maine’s Pemaquid
Point Lighthouse in summer 2007 will discover that the coastal icon
temporarily presents an appearance much different than its usual elegant
façade.
On June 27, 2007 scaffolding enveloped the 38-foot tower
as skilled crews from J.B. Leslie Masonry Contractors in South Berwick,
Maine, started the process of restoring the exterior of the historic
beacon. This exciting restoration project, which will cost the nonprofit
American Lighthouse Foundation (ALF) $105,400, is expected to last six
to eight weeks. When |
Photo by Bob Trapani, Jr.
As of 6/26/07, Pemaquid Point
Light temporarily assumes
a "new look"
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completed, the
exterior of the 1835 lighthouse will look like new again.
ALF, based in Rockland, Maine, and its local chapter – Friends of Pemaquid
Point Lighthouse, serve as the stewards for this Midcoast sentinel through a
partnership with the United States Coast Guard.
Though the American Lighthouse Foundation is the driving force in
coordinating the exterior restoration project at Pemaquid Point Lighthouse,
the organization has been the benefactor of invaluable assistance from
others as well.
The National Trust for Historic Preservation and Lowe’s Charitable
Educational Foundation teamed up to award ALF with a $50,000 grant for |
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ALF Photo
(L to R) Bob Trapani, ALF executive
director; Jim Leslie, president JB Leslie Masonry Contractors and Joe
Ponti, Friends of Pemaquid Point Lighthouse vice-president
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the project. In addition, the Maine Historic Preservation
Commission awarded $10,000 to ALF through a “New Century Community
Program Historic Preservation” grant.
“Lighthouse preservation is always more successful and
rewarding when a project has the support of a variety of partners,” said
Bob Trapani, Jr., ALF executive director |
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and the project’s
coordinator. “The 2007 exterior restoration of Pemaquid Point Lighthouse
exemplifies this notion through and through. ALF is thrilled about the
financial support it has received from the National Trust & Lowe’s, as well
as the Maine Historic Preservation Commission, but the good things do not
end there.”
Trapani went on to note, “This project also demonstrates the commitment of
all the ALF partners involved to ensure the restoration is carried out in
accordance with the Secretary of the Interior’s stringent Standards for
Preservation. From the active participation of the Maine Historic
Preservation Commission and the United States Coast Guard, to Building
Conservation Associates and J.B. Leslie Masonry Contractors, the public can
have full confidence that the welfare of Pemaquid Point Lighthouse is in the
best of hands.”
Building Conservation Associates from Dedham, MA, is a key team player in
the project, as the highly respected firm conducted pre-restoration |
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| testing and analysis on the tower’s
exterior coatings during mid-June (under the oversight of the Maine
Historic Preservation Commission). The analysis has helped determine the
most appropriate materials and mechanical procedures for J.B. Leslie
Masonry Contractors to use in the |
Photo by Bob Trapani, Jr.
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process of
removing the old exterior coatings in order to ensure the protection of the
structure’s historical integrity.
After reviewing the initial progress of the restoration project on its
second day, Jim Leslie, president of J.B. Leslie Masonry Contractors, was
very pleased. “This is pretty much what we expected to encounter following
our pre-consultation with the Maine Historic Preservation Commission and
Building Conservation Associates,” said Leslie.
Leslie went on to note, “It appears this project should go smoothly. I am
satisfied with the way the old coatings are coming off at this time -- its
great to get this project underway.”
As one might expect, there were plenty of inquisitive minds during the
opening days of the restoration project as visitors walked up to the tower,
which presented volunteers from the Friends of Pemaquid Point Lighthouse (FPPL)
the opportunity to share the news of this historic moment in the light’s
history.
“When visitors ask, I am telling them that this is the culmination of our
efforts and donations – four years in the planning,” said Joseph Ponti, |
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Photo by Bob Trapani, Jr.
JB Leslie's crew began removing the
tower's exterior coatings on 6/26/07
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FPPL vice-president. “The visitors ask me
‘what is going on here?’ I inform them that this is a major historical
restoration project being managed by professionals. This news really
resonates with people. I am hearing a variety of nice comments as well,
including how happy visitors are to know that someone like the
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American
Lighthouse Foundation and the Friends of Pemaquid Point Lighthouse is doing
all this.”
Pemaquid Point
Lighthouse will remain open throughout the restoration project for those
residents and visitors who wish to climb the tower, learn about its history
or obtain a firsthand look at the beacon’s active restoration. The
lighthouse, located within Pemaquid Point Park in Bristol, Maine, is open
from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm daily through October 15th. For more
information, or to make a donation to the Pemaquid Point restoration
project, contact the American Lighthouse Foundation at 207-594-4174 or by
mail at PO Box 565, Rockland, ME 04841.
Posted: 7/3/2007 |
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Photo by Bob Trapani, Jr.
JB Leslie Masonry Contractors
(L to R) Jeff LaPointe, Jake Johnson,
Bill Hoffman, Kevin McNamara, Jim Leslie
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Photo by Bob Trapani, Jr.
Kevin McNamara mechanically removes
exterior coatings
from the tower
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Photo by Bob Trapani, Jr.
Jake Johnson mechanically removes
exterior coatings
from the tower
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Photo by Bob Trapani, Jr.
Crews are working to prep the tower for
new mortar joints and a fresh coat of paint
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Photo by Bob Trapani, Jr.
Bill Hoffman mechanically
removes deteriorated mortar joints
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Photo by Bob Trapani, Jr.
Pemaquid Point's exterior restoration is
expected to
last 6-8 weeks
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