The following letter was penned by keeper Elson Small after being transferred from Maine’s island-bound St. Croix River Lighthouse along the international border between the United States and Canada to Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouse in New Castle, New Hampshire. Keeper Small wrote the letter on October 1, 1946 and it was later published in the October […]
Happy 250th Birthday to Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouse
Wow, what a momentous occasion for Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouse in New Castle, New Hampshire – a June 8th birthday commemorating 250 years of service to mariners on the Piscataqua River! It was on June 8, 1771 when the first gleams were sent forth from Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouse across this strategic waterway. Since that time, the […]
A Fresh Shine Adorns Portsmouth Harbor Light
The present Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouse has been helping guide countless thousands of mariners into the protective confines of the Piscataqua River since 1878. Still today, large commercial ships deliver petroleum products, gypsum, fish products, and salt to various ports along the river, while local fishermen work the surrounding waters and a plethora of recreational craft […]
Keeper Tasked with Marking Shipwreck
Lighthouse enthusiasts are quite familiar with the responsibilities of bygone lightkeepers. First and foremost, keepers were expected to maintain a good light each and every night, and during periods of poor visibility, ensure the fog signal was sounding its audible warning. Of course, maintaining the light station buildings in good condition was also a big […]
FPHL’s Michelle Shaw is Honored with ALF Volunteer Award
Michelle Shaw of ALF’s Friends of Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouses was presented with a ALF Len Hadley Volunteer Award during the American Lighthouse Foundation’s annual gala, which was held at the Nonantum Resort in Kennebunkport, Maine, on April 28, 2019. Friends of Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouses first became acquainted with Michelle Shaw at the “Spring Fling” fundraising […]
Keeper Joshua Card – A True Lighthouse Legend
During his illustrious career as a lighthouse keeper, Joshua Card was universally respected for his dedicated service and longevity – a total of forty-two years spent serving at Maine’s Boon Island (1867 to 1874) and New Hampshire’s Portsmouth Harbor (1874 to 1909). In 1908, the following account was published in the Genealogical and Personal Memoirs, […]
