Maine Open Lighthouse Day to Spotlight Historic Beacons, Coast Guard and
Coastal Maine
On June 30,
2009, Governor John E. Baldacci, joined by officials from the United
States Coast Guard, Maine Office of Tourism and the American Lighthouse
Foundation, announced plans for “Maine Open Lighthouse
This exciting
event, which will be held on September 12, 2009, is the first of its kind in
the nation and will feature the opening of Maine’s 52 operational
lighthouses to the public on the same day.
Maine Open
Lighthouse Day is a partnership between the U.S. Coast Guard, State of Maine
and the American Lighthouse Foundation and is
Photo by Bob Trapani, Jr.
Historic Portland Head Light and the
USCGC ABBIE BURGESS served as the
backdrop for the Maine Open
Lighthouse
Day announcement event
intended to
increase awareness of the state’s rich maritime heritage.
“From the
Maine State quarter to many artists’ renditions of Maine’s coastline,
the Maine lighthouse is an enduring symbol of our way of life,” Governor
Baldacci said. “For Mainers and visitors alike, Open Lighthouse Day will
be a unique opportunity to learn more about the
lighthouses,
lighthouse keepers and the communities dotting our coastline.”
In addition to
shining a bright light on Maine’s lighthouse and maritime heritage, the
event will also highlight the United States Coast Guard longstanding
tradition of ‘keeping a good light’ along America’s waterways.
“Throughout
history, lighthouses have assisted mariners in guiding their vessels through
the darkest night and the most treacherous storms, safely
into port,”
said Rear Admiral Dale G. Gabel, Commander, First Coast Guard District.
“Lighthouses have been part of the Coast Guard’s rich maritime heritage
and we are pleased to have this opportunity to work with the State of
Maine to highlight this history.”
Captain Jim
McPherson, Commander, Sector Northern New England, echoed the Admiral’s
sentiments, saying, “The Coast Guard has had a presence in Maine since
Portland Head Light was established in 1791. We are therefore very
pleased to work with the American Lighthouse Foundation and the State of
Maine to highlight the incredible history of lighthouses and their
keepers.”
Photo by Ann-Marie Trapani
Maine Governor John E. Baldacci announced
the partnership with the State of Maine, the USCG and ALF for Maine Open
Lighthouse Day
Captain McPherson
went on to note, “This event will be the first of its kind. We are proud of
our 200-year history of providing service to the citizens of Maine and the
U.S. By offering the public the opportunity to visit these 52 active
lighthouses, the Coast Guard has the opportunity to share this legacy. Our
detailed material surveys will also provide important information on the
condition of these noble structures.”
“When the Coast
Guard approached the American Lighthouse Foundation, we were very excited to
participate in the event,” said Bob Trapani, Jr.,
Photo by Ann-Marie Trapani
(L to R) Rear Admiral Dale Gabel,
Governor John Baldacci, Bob Trapani, Jr. & Steve
Lyons at Portland Head Light during the
media event announcement for
Maine Open Lighthouse Day
executive
director of ALF. “The preservation of these historic lighthouses is
important to our nation’s cultural history, and it would not be possible
without education and public access initiatives designed to share this
rich maritime heritage with the public.”
Mr. Trapani
went on to note, “Traditionally lighthouses have warned mariners of the
dangers at sea – to stay away
from a
navigational hazard near the coast or ports of call, but to us people here
on land, these beacons of our coast send out another signal altogether.”
“Instead of
warning us to steer clear, they beckon us to come nearer and walk in the
steps of America’s lighthouse keepers before us – something
the public
will be able to do statewide during Maine Open Lighthouse Day.”
This statewide
initiative will also have a positive impact on Maine’s economy through
its heritage tourism value – something that will benefit both coastal
communities and their visitors.
“We are
privileged to be celebrating Maine’s
Photo by Ann-Marie Trapani
Captain Jim McPherson and Governor John
Baldacci listen as Rear Admiral Dale Gabel talked about the Coast
Guard's historic connection to lighthouses
maritime heritage
by partnering with the United States Coast Guard and the American Lighthouse
Foundation on the promotion of this exciting event on September 12th,”
said Steve Lyons, Director of Marketing for the Maine Office of Tourism.
“Maine Open
Lighthouse Day is not only an opportunity for us to feature these treasured
icons, but an opportunity for the communities throughout the state to plan
their own celebratory events.”
Mr. Lyons went on
to note, “The Office of Tourism will be marketing this event to the world in
a variety of mediums and I encourage Maine
Photo by Ann-Marie Trapani
Captain Jim McPherson, Commander, Sector
Northern New England, touched how this event was the first of its kind
in the nation
communities,
tourism organizations and lighthouse groups to leverage our efforts by
planning events to compliment the opening of these 52 lighthouses. With
all of us working together, we are sure to make this an extraordinary
event for visitors and residents alike.”
“I believe
Maine Open Lighthouse Day will
be a good event
because it will make more people aware of the needs of lighthouse
preservation,” said Ernest DeRaps, a retired Coast Guard lightkeeper who
served at four Maine light stations. “Awareness may generate more volunteers
to help maintain our national lighthouse heritage and to teach the public of
their maritime significance.”
Mr. DeRaps
concluded, “With greater awareness, more monies may be generated for
lighthouse restoration!”
To learn more
about Maine Open Lighthouse Day on September 12, 2009, visit
Governor Baldacci & Admiral Gabel
listen as Bob Trapani, Jr. executive
director
for the American Lighthouse Foundation,
talked about the importance of raising public awareness
for lighthouses
Photo by Ann-Marie Trapani
Photo by Ann-Marie Trapani
Steve Lyons of the
Maine Office of Tourism talked about how this lighthouse event will also
be a value-added event for Maine's coastal communities through heritage
tourism
(L to R) Governor John
Baldacci, Polly DeRaps and Ernest DeRaps. Mr. DeRaps is a retired
Coastguardsman and former lighthouse keeper at four Maine light stations
