The lighthouse is managed by the Museum Association.
JAMESTOWN – Federal representatives presented a large ceremonial deed to state officials in the City Council Chambers, marking the transfer of Beavertail Lighthouse to the state Department of Environmental Management.
To the President of the Beavertail Lighthouse Museum Association Valjean CurrentsThe transfer has been a long time coming: the association has been managing and maintaining the lighthouse since it was founded in 1993. As part of the ownership transfer agreement, the state, which already owns and operates Beavertail State Park, will own the lighthouse and turn its management over to the museum association.
In July 2023, the state’s application for ownership of the lighthouse was approved, but the property was still pending transfer of ownership.
For some board members, the final handover means they can begin planning further restoration work, such as wire brushing and painting the rusted railings inside the lighthouse. The lighthouse is the subject of a tripartite memorandum of understanding between Jamestown, the state and the museum association.
The biggest problem facing the lighthouse is the same as everything along the coast: Increasing erosion as storms get more intense. Plastic jersey barriers along the edge of the road around the lighthouse mark places where erosion has made it dangerous to go too close to the edge.
Perhaps the biggest issue with the recent restoration was the granite stones that were falling off due to deterioration of the mortar. The Society brought in an Italian mason who is familiar with mortar types to repair them. Raising funds to restore the iconic lighthouse, one of the most popular Rhode Island State Parks and a great place to propose, has never been that difficult, like when the copper roof blew off one of the buildings, but they quickly raised the $70,000 needed for the restoration. Currents Said.
History of the Lighthouse
Beavertail Lighthouse is the third oldest lighthouse in North America. The first official request for a lighthouse was made in 1712.A tariff was then levied in 1731 to raise funds and the first lighthouse, a wooden tower, was built in 1749. After that building burned down, a second lighthouse was built in 1753, this time on a stone foundation.
A third lighthouse was built 100 feet behind the second in 1856. The dilapidated 1753 lighthouse was demolished and the “Foghorn House” built in its place. A major hurricane in 1938 uncovered the forgotten foundations of the original lighthouse.
In 1972 the lighthouse was automated, bringing an end to the tradition of lighthouse keepers. Fresnel Lens They have been replaced with rotating lights, and the old ones are on display in museums.
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Please contact reporter Wheeler Cowperthwaite at Email: wcowperthwaite@providencejournal.com Or follow us on Twitter Wheeler Reporter