At a cost of $37,000 the interior and lantern room at New Jersey's famous Cape May Lighthouse looks like the day it was built.
The lighthouse painting was done by Restoration Painters, LLC of West Chester, PA and the project included repairing the plaster, replacing rotten trim boards, repainting the front doors, repainting the floor in the vestibule, repairing and repainting the floor of the watch room, repainting the lens undercarriage and refinishing the security grille, stairs, railings and landings.
The money came from admission fees charged at the lighthouses, which is operated by the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts (MAC), which leases the lighthouse from the state. In the 15 years from 1986 to 2001, MAC raised and spent nearly $2 million restoring the lighthouse.
The lighthouse, located in Cape May Point State Park is one of the oldest continually operating lighthouses in the United States. Admission to the Visitors Orientation Center and ground floor of the lighthouse is free. However, if you want to climb the 199 steps to the top, there is a fee of $7.00 for adults and $3.00 for children ages 3 to 12.
For information on MAC's year-round schedule of tours, festivals and special events call 609-884-5404 or visit their web site at www.capemaymac.org
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