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Under a blanket of blue sky, with a perfect temperature, the final phase of the new Maine Lighthouse Museum opened with the dedication of the CWO Kenneth Black Exhibition Hall on the beautiful harbor of City of Rockland.
Surrounded by friends, family, lighthouse aficionados, local and federal dignitaries, as well as his own alma mater, the United States Coast Guard, Ken Black, 83, the founder of the museum was bestowed with numerous honors and proclamations that would make any international ruler jealous.
But, those awards and proclamations were all long overdue for a man who nearly single-handedly saved the largest collection of lighthouse lens and other lighthouse
artifacts for the publics enjoyment under one roof in the nation.
It was Ken's foresight that nearly 40 years ago started him on a mission to save these artifacts that might otherwise have been destroyed. That collection eventually wound up in the cramped quarters of the Shore Village Museum. In fact the quarters were so cramped that many of the artifacts were never displayed and kept in storage for years.
Now, thanks to a small army of dedicated volunteers, and the generosity of others, the amazing collection is now on display in a 3,000-square foot exhibition center on Rockland's waterfront for all of the public to enjoy and learn from.
Among those in attendance was Maine’s First Lady, Karen Baldacci, who read the Governors Proclamation. The Mayor of Rockland, Brian Harden, read and presented a written declaration declaring the day as “Kenneth Black Day’ and in a proclamation read by State Rep. Edward Mazurek, the Maine State Legislature also officially declared the day as Ken Black Day.”
However it was a proclamation from the Maine State Senate, read by state senator Christine Savage, that finally declared that the State of Maine “Officially Recognizes and Declares that Ken Black is, “Mr. Lighthouse.”
Ken was also honored with a heritage award and medal for lifetime achievement from the Foundation for Coast Guard History that was presented by John Gallazzo. Our own Kathleen Finnegan presented a special one of a kind cover of Lighthouse Digest magazine that featured Ken Black on the cover.
Rear Admiral David P. Pekoske, Commander of the First Coast Guard District was also on hand to honor Ken with a special framed letter from the Commandant of the Coast Guard. Admiral Pekoske, said the Coast Guard wanted to honor Ken with a special award, but found that he had previously, at one time or another received every award possible from the Coast Guard, an honor that few can claim.
As the ceremony concluded, Ken was especially pleased when Tim Harrison, who was Master of Ceremonies for the occasion, read a personal letter of congratulations to Ken from George W. Bush, President of the United States.
Later in the evening at a dinner sponsored by the American Lighthouse Foundation Ken was honored with more commendations. Among the many presentations was a humorous slide show about how Ken joined the Coast Guard because of catsup was shown, which ended with a personal letter from William R. Johnson, President and CEO of H. J. Heinz.
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