Tim Harrison, president of the nonprofit American Lighthouse Foundation,
which owns and operates the museum, said that although he has seen a few
similar platters like this over the years, they were all of a larger size
and that this is the first time he has seen a smaller version.
Jim Claflin, of Kenrick A. Claflin and Son Nautical Antiques, who
specializes in Lighthouse Service and Coast Guard artifacts, states this
style of dinnerware came into existence around 1900 to replace two earlier
dinnerware patterns used by the keepers and families of the Lighthouse
Service.
Bob Trapani, Jr., Executive Director of the American Lighthouse Foundation,
explained that this is the type of heavy duty china was similar to the
institutional type of china used in the latter part of the Nineteenth
Century and early Twentieth Century for use aboard luxury liners, railroad
dining cars and wardrooms of United States Navy vessels.
According to an article written by Claflin that appeared in the January 2004
issue of Lighthouse Digest magazine, for reasons unknown, the
Lighthouse Service did not make the china available at all light stations
and rarely was an off shore lighthouse provided such a luxury. Other sources
also claim they were apparently used on many lightships and for the officers
of the lighthouse tenders, which were the vessels used to bring supplies to
the lighthouses.
Harrison went on to say, “When the Coast Guard took over the Lighthouse
Service in 1939 orders came from Washington that everything bearing the name
United States Lighthouse Service was to be destroyed and be replaced by
items bearing the military emblem of the Coast Guard. He continued by
saying “I’ve heard of accounts where they would literally smash the old
lighthouse china on the rocks in an effort to get rid of the dinnerware.”
“Naturally some of the lighthouse keepers or family members saved some of
the china, but over time many of the pieces probably broke or were later
disposed. Today there are only a handful of dinnerware items on display in
museums around the nation. However, we believe this unique piece that has
come to the American Lighthouse Foundation’s museum may very well be the
only one of its kind on display anywhere, making this platter a valuable
addition to the museum’s interpretative exhibits,” said Harrison.
Tom and Judi Kearney, long time supporters of the American Lighthouse
Foundation, who have donated other artifacts to the museum in the past,
donated the platter. The Kearney’s declined to comment on how or where they
located and acquired the platter, smiling as they both agreed that they
simply enjoy hunting for treasures like this for the museum and would prefer
not to give out their treasure hunting secrets.
The Museum of Lighthouse History is located on U. S. Rt. 1 in Wells and is
open free to the public Thursdays through Sundays and is supported by
donations from the public.
Posted 6/28/06
