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In a gala ceremony, held on October 15 on the expansive grounds of the University of Connecticut in Groton, the only lighthouse built to honor the lighthouse keepers of yesteryear was officially given a new lease on life under the grateful eyes of well wishers and fans, many of whom had tears in their eyes, as the light came on in the tower for the first time since it was darkened nearly 40 years ago.
The ceremony was culmination of six years of passionate dedication by the volunteers of the Avery Point Lighthouse Society that had its share of ups and downs that can now be looked back upon as a true sense of accomplishment and pride that will live on for future generations.
Built by the United States Coast Guard in 1943 on the grounds of the Coast Guard's Training Station at Avery Point in Groton, CT. the lighthouse became an active aid to navigation in May of 1944. It was discontinued in September of 1967 when the Coast Guard vacated the station.
The University of Connecticut eventually developed the property but the lighthouse was virtually ignored and left to deteriorate from the elements. By the late 1900's the lighthouse was in such bad shape that serious consideration was given to tearing it down.
That's when local resident James Streeter got involved and the Avery Point Lighthouse Society was formed to save the lighthouse. The group soon became a chapter of the American Lighthouse Foundation with Dale Treadway joining Streeter as cochairman of the Avery Point lighthouse group. Ron Foster, one of New England's most dedicated lighthouse preservationists, later became the third cochair. Foster was previously president of the New England Lighthouse Lovers (NELL) whose members were the volunteer force that helped staff and coordinate the relighting and rededication ceremony.
The Avery Point Lighthouse Society had a dream of not just restoring the lighthouse but also returning a light to the tower to again make it aid to navigation. When they started they thought they would need to raise $150,000, a long way from the $500,000 it actually cost to finally complete the project. Going one step further they decided to build a memorial brick walkway and sold inscribed bricks to help pay for the associated costs. Not only did volunteers work to raise the money, they did a lot of the physical work in saving the lighthouse and installing the 3,200 brick walkway to make it all become a reality.
The day of the relighting was deceptively beautiful and sunny, as the harsh and cold wind blew; the NELL volunteers were forced to take down the tents they had set up for the sale of commemorative items and Harbour Lights replicas of the lighthouse that were being autographed by Kim Andrews of Harbour Lights.
But the big tents stayed up for the VIP seating and the Coast Guard Band that was on hand to play a wide selection of patriotic music before the dignitaries had their turn at the podium.
As a spectacular sunset started, Tim Harrison, acting as Master of Ceremonies for the event, took the stage to welcome everyone to what he called a “Defining moment in modern lighthouse history.”
The dignitaries who came to address the audience for the historic event included, Philip E. Austin, President of the University of Connecticut, Cathy Cook, State Senator, Andrea Stillman, State Senator, Lenny Winkler State Representative, U.S. Congressman Rob Simmons, Professor Stephen Jones who reproduced the lantern room replica and Joseph J. Comprone, Associate Vice Provost of UCONN Avery Point. Fran Mainella, Director of the U.S. National Park Service gave the keynote address saying that she hoped that the restored lighthouse would be a stimulus for all the other lighthouse groups around the country who are still struggling to save lighthouses in their communities.
Jointly pressing the button to relight the lighthouse as the countdown was echoed by the crowd was CWO Kenneth Black, USCG Ret., known as “Mr. Lighthouse,” representing the past; Fran Mainella, Director of the U.S. National Park Service, representing the present; and Lexis Foster, a fifth grader from local West Side Middle School, representing the future.
As the green flashing light came on in the Avery Point Lighthouse, the crowd cheered and applauded, which was almost instantaneously followed by the Coast Guard Band playing God Bless America as the audience joined in with pride. With many people's hearts beating with joy for the Avery Point Lighthouse, a sense of patriotism swept throughout the crowd. With many a teary eye, this truly was a defining moment in lighthouse history.
Congratulations to the Avery Point Lighthouse Society and
all the volunteers and donors who made this historic event
become a reality!
This story appeared in the
December 2006 edition of Lighthouse Digest Magazine. The print edition contains more stories than our internet edition, and each story generally contains more photographs - often many more - in the print edition. For subscription information about the print edition, click here.
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