By Catherine Bilodeau, Visitor Engagement Coordinator
New England is known for many things, including its lighthouses. Since the establishment of Boston Light, the first lighthouse in the United States, in 1716, these beacons have guided boats along our coastlines. Each year, we celebrate these iconic structures on National Lighthouse Day on August 7th. This inspired me to share my interest in lighthouses, offering insights into those visible from our shore and a fun way to commemorate a lighthouse viewing.
From a young age, I’ve been fascinated by lighthouses. Maybe it was the summer trip with my family when we headed out on a lighthouse tour, driving to see as many as we could. My all-time favorite lighthouse is Owl’s Head Lighthouse in Maine. Even though it is less than 30 feet tall, it is full of history and a picture-perfect stop for any lighthouse enthusiast.
I’ve also visited all five lighthouses in New Hampshire. Interestingly, three of them are located on Lake Sunapee, while the remaining two can be seen at the Seacoast Science Center in Odiorne Point State Park. The three lighthouses in Lake Sunapee are: Loon Island, Burkehaven Light, and Herrick Cove. I highly recommend seeing them and stopping by the Lake Sunapee Protective Association (LSPA) to learn more.
At Seacoast Science Center, you can view four lighthouses depending on the weather:
- Whaleback Lighthouse: A personal favorite, this lighthouse was originally built around 1830 and reconstructed in 1872 due to poor construction and storm damage. It sits just over the Maine border, is made of stone and is the first lighthouse visible from the shore.
- Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouse: Built in 1771, this is the second lighthouse you see looking east.
- White Island Lighthouse: Located on White Island, part of the Isles of Shoals in New Hampshire, is the state’s only offshore lighthouse and can be viewed on clear days.
- Boon Island Lighthouse: Situated in Maine, this lighthouse requires binoculars for a clear view and can be spotted just past Whaleback on a clear day. Standing 120 feet tall, Boon Island is Maine’s tallest lighthouse and was first built around 1811.
If you’d like to learn more about our local lighthouses, check out this blog from February 2022 titled, “A View from Here: Lighthouses of the Seacoast.” The post also features information about the United States Lighthouse Society’s Lighthouse Passport book. Designed to resemble a US passport, this book allows you to collect stamps from various lighthouses! It’s a great way to commemorate your travels to lighthouses in New Hampshire, New England and beyond.
As my fascination with lighthouses grew, I started my own passport book. Currently, I have 48 out of 60 lighthouse stamps and aim to complete my book by the end of the year. I’ve collected stamps in Maine, New Hampshire, and even Florida, along with lighthouse photos as an additional memory!
Last year, I started visiting lighthouses on my birthday or during special events to commemorate the day with a lighthouse stamp. For instance, my mom and I took a special boat tour around Lake Sunapee for her birthday, allowing me to collect all three lighthouse stamps in one visit. I enjoy planning trips, especially to hunt for lighthouse stamps. It doesn’t take much, but here are some tips:
- Keep your passport book handy: You can order one from the United States Lighthouse Society.
- Map out your lighthouse visits and accessibility: On a recent trip to Portland, ME, I planned to visit five lighthouses, including Portland Head Light (Cape Elizabeth), Spring Point Ledge Light, Ram Island Ledge Light, Two Lights State Park (which has two lights), and Portland Breakwater (Bug) Light.
- Research where to obtain passport book stamps: During my Portland trip, I stopped at the South Portland Historical Society, where I knew stamps could be collected.
- Have cash for donations: The Lighthouse Society suggests a donation of $2 per stamp.
- Keep track: Record the date and location in your passport book once stamped.
If you are interested in starting or completing a passport book, Seacoast Science Center and Odiorne Point State Park are a great destination. We have six lighthouse stamps that can be collected here; including the four mentioned earlier, along with two stamps for the Wood Island Life Saving Station and the United States Life-Saving Service (USLSS), a group that assisted boaters at sea before the Coast Guard was created.
What better day to join us in celebration, and maybe start your own stamp collection, than National Lighthouse Day on August 7th? Come learn more about the lighthouses along our coast and the lighthouse passport book. I will be available to answer questions, and we will host two special visitor programs included with admission:
- 11 AM: Lighthouse Lookout
- Join us to learn about the lighthouses along our coast and view them from the shore!
- 2 PM: Lighthouse Trivia
- Test your knowledge of lighthouses!
We can’t wait to shine a light on these New England icons this Thursday, August 7th!
Did you know?
A Pharologist is someone who studies or is interested in lighthouses
(from the United States Lighthouse Society’s Glossary of Terms).
