| |
|
|
|
| |
ALF & Town of Kittery to Partner on the
Preservation of Lighthouse and Life-Saving Station
|
|
| |
|
The American Lighthouse Foundation and the Town of
Kittery, Maine, are presently working to forge a unique partnership that
will enable the two entities to combine their expertise and resources
for the preservation of the historic offshore maritime complex at
the entrance to the |
Photo by Jeremy D'Entremont
Wood Island Lifesaving Station &
Whaleback Lighthouse at the
mouth of the Piscataqua River
|
|
|
| |
Piscataqua River. The historic landmarks comprising the complex are the 1872
Whaleback Lighthouse under the care of the American Lighthouse Foundation
(ALF) and the 1904 Wood Island Life-Saving Station owned and cared for by
the Town of Kittery.
The close proximity of the lighthouse and lifesaving station to each other
serves as a one-of-a-kind example within the state of Maine to the heritage
of our nation’s compassion, ingenuity and valor to save its |
|
| |
|
Photo by William Marshall
A gorgeous sunrise at Whaleback Light
|
fellow man
from the perils of the sea during the 19th & 20th
centuries. This rich heritage is something the American Lighthouse
Foundation is dedicated to preserving and demonstrates its commitment to
this mission through the stewardship of 22 historic lighthouses located
throughout New |
|
|
| |
England – 11 of
these stately beacons spanning the rocky coastline of Maine. ALF also owns
and operates the Museum of Lighthouse History in Wells, Maine.
In light of ALF’s mission and the Town of Kittery’s strong desire to
preserve the Wood Island Life-Saving Station – a maritime icon itself, Town
Manager Jon Carter approached the American Lighthouse Foundation on the
possibility of working together to restore the two timeless treasures that
residents from Kittery, Maine and New Castle, New Hampshire - across the
Piscataqua River, both hold near and dear.
Carter talks about the great pride that the town has for the lighthouse and
lifesaving station, saying, “the Town of Kittery is the oldest town in |
|
| |
|
Maine and it takes its maritime history seriously. The
Historical and Naval Museum in Kittery reflects our maritime history and
the Town’s Comprehensive Plan works to protect these historical
treasures that are scattered throughout the waterfront and harbor area.”
Carter goes on to note, “although the Town has struggled to |
Photo by Magen Petit
Town of Kittery and ALF representatives
met January 4, 2006 to explore
opportunities
for the two entities to work together
|
|
|
| |
make preservation happen at Wood Island, the community is solidly behind
maintaining it in some manner to document an important piece of our maritime
past.”
American Lighthouse Foundation and Town of Kittery representatives met
together at Town Hall on January 4, 2006 to begin the process of exploring
the creation of a working partnership that achieves the restoration and
preservation of both the lighthouse and lifesaving station. ALF executive
director Bob Trapani states that the concept is a natural fit, saying, “the
U.S Lighthouse Service and the U.S. Life-Saving Service were sister
organizations – both committed to the humanitarian mission of saving lives.”
Trapani goes on to say, the similarities do not end there. We have many
documented instances throughout history that show how the lighthouse and
lifesaving service worked in tandem to rescue shipwreck victims.
|
|
| |
|
Photo by Jeremy D'Entremont
Wood Island Lifesaving Station
|
In addition, both organizations eventually were
integrated within the modern day U.S. Coast Guard, which adds even
greater significance to the concept of the Town of Kittery and ALF
working together to preserve this wonderful maritime complex.”
|
|
|
| |
The benefits of a
partnership are numerous for the residents of the local community and even
statewide, a fact echoed by Town Manager Jon Carter, who notes, “The Town of
Kittery cannot restore and sustain by |
|
| |
|
itself the
Wood Island Life-Saving Station. With Whaleback Lighthouse a quarter of
a mile away, and with ALF and the Coast Guard working on that facility –
also located in Kittery, it was advantageous to attempt to forge a
partnership with ALF that could be mutually respective of each
others needs and |
Photo by Ross Tracy
Wood Island Lifesaving Station was built
by the U.S. Life-Saving Service
|
|
|
| |
objectives, as
well as achieve the goal of preservation and long-term care of these
historic coastal assets for future generations.”
ALF and the Town of Kittery are presently in the process of developing a
Memorandum of Understanding that formalizes their mutual commitment to
partner on the preservation of this unique maritime complex at the entrance
of the Piscataqua River. Future plans include involving residents from the
local communities of Kittery, Maine, and New Castle, New Hampshire, who have
an interest in volunteering to help assist the partnership with this
wonderful opportunity to save a pair of proud monuments to Maine’s
fascinating maritime and coastal heritage.
Photo by Jeremy D'Entremont
Whaleback Lighthouse continues to shine
its guiding light to mariners at sea
Posted 1/25/06 |
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
