America’s historic lighthouses that
remain standing today along our country’s vast coastline and inland
waters continue to need our help. Each one of these stately sentinels is
in some form of deterioration – no matter how good or deplorable their
condition may appear. A subtle and methodical decay process immediately
threatens even those lights that are benefactors of recent restoration.
No sooner does a lighthouse have its cast-iron, brick and mortar or wood
construction repaired, then Mother Nature’s salt air, wind abrasion and
destructive water penetration, goes to work – slowly but surely exacting
their toll and leaving behind a trail of costly corrosion and
deterioration. Imagine the dire situation of lighthouses that are not
yet restored. Contemplating such a thought is truly frightening, but
what is more troubling
Photo by Tim Harrison
If dedicated ALF Avery Point Chapter
volunteers did not step forward to save Avery
Point Lighthouse (CT) it
would have crumbled
is the lack of
urgency among some of the ranks of lighthouse preservationists for the
ceaseless plight of our nation’s coastal sentinels.
When it comes to
saving our lights, volunteerism has traditionally been the undeniable
backbone of lighthouse preservation and will surely continue to play the
largest role in the future as we work to safeguard America’s guiding lights.
In fact, the ultimate fate of lighthouses lies directly in the hands of our
nation’s volunteers. Yet for all the wonderful accomplishments yielded by
the many dedicated and selfless individuals
ALF Photo
ALF efforts to save Prospect Harbor
Lighthouse (ME) occurred just in time to
save this historic wooden beacon
from imminent collapse
who comprise
the lighthouse community’s volunteer force – people who have earned the
high honor of being called “keepers of the lights,” there remain many
glaring deficiencies that we must collectively address with honesty and
a commitment to change. The general rule with volunteerism is that only
a few people in each organization ever choose to shoulder the bulk of
work for
lighthouse preservation. Such a dilemma is not simply relegated to the
hands-on contributions provided by volunteers at the lights themselves
either. This also includes the all-important fundraising and educational
components that are as much a part of successful lighthouse preservation as
the actual work applied to a light station.
Though volunteers
will always cope with the inherent challenges to their time and ability to
contribute in a meaningful way to lighthouse preservation, conveying both
the urgency and the consequences of not acting on the needs of preservation
in the present – which encompasses the three components of fundraising,
restoration and education, is an even larger challenge to the future
well-being of America’s lighthouses. Therefore, the lighthouse community
must remain vigilant in helping its
members avoid
becoming “dreamy” about lighthouse preservation. Simply stating verbal
support for the work to save lighthouses or joining an organization that is
committed to carrying out this critical mission without engaging in the
actual work at hand ultimately threatens the overall mission of the
non-profit and the very existence of the lighthouses we cherish in the
present.
Another worrisome
situation present in today’s lighthouse community that must be addressed is
the misconception that we can somehow afford to put off the much-needed work
on our lights in the present. Life invariably teaches us time and again that
tomorrow never brings more favorable conditions, additional
ALF Photo
Boon Island Light (ME) must
be saved despite its
remote location
free time or
easier access to funds in order to “better” act on the countless needs and
complexities of lighthouse preservation. One of the most elusive concepts is
that today matters in a way that few understand or chose to grasp. It is too
easy to fall into a comfortable mindset that our lighthouses “look sturdy
and strong.” As we all know, Mother Nature never takes a rest nor do the
debilitating elements that are ceaselessly eroding away the integrity of
these stately structures stop the progression of their adverse affects. When
you also factor in the ever-rising costs of preservation – refusing to act
in fullness today not only endangers the lights themselves but it also
unfairly saddles future members of our lighthouse organizations with the
consequences of our decision to “defer” our stewardship responsibilities in
the present. The stakes – both the work and costs associated with saving our
lights, are way too high to “take a pass” on our obligations as caretakers.
We are also best
served to focus attention on educating our fellow members who may not be as
intricately involved in the “nuts and bots” of lighthouse preservation about
the demands and complexities associated
ALF Photo
Perkins Island Light Station (ME) on the
Kennebec River needs more dedicated volunteers to help ALF's Perkins
Island
Light chapter save this precious historic
site for future generations
with even the
smallest actions related to saving lighthouses. From organizational
planning to consultation with partners like the State Historic
Preservation Office, U.S. Coast Guard, National Park Service and
lighthouse contractors, to networking with legislators, charitable
foundations and donors, everything takes real time and patience – and
lot’s of it. Hours upon hours of work can easily
be applied to such
small but vital tasks as obtaining an approval or permit for a given project
– not to mention the time that is necessary to invest for the cultivation of
critical funds to enact projects both small and large.
By working to
thoroughly educate our members and constantly conveying to them the many
multi-faceted needs of lighthouse preservation – and how they can help
assist the organization in carrying out these important responsibilities, we
will help minimize the natural tendencies to become complacent or to defer
to others during a journey that has no end. Though governmental entities,
donors – and even history itself, will hold our non-profit organizations
accountable in regards to how effective we are as stewards of America’s
lighthouse preservation, our greatest motivation in remaining accountable
for our actions in the present should be ourselves. For we collectively
comprise the great effort to save our lighthouse heritage and no one but us
will ensure that preservation becomes a reality and the dire consequences of
indifference are avoided. Given this undeniable fact, what we do TODAY – and
everyday, for lighthouse preservation does indeed matter. So cherish the
past, dream of the future but remember to embrace the present to its fullest
as we stoke the fires of lighthouse preservation and keep the lights shining
in perpetuity!
