Thacher Island Association Receives Grant
By Sue Clark on Jul 4, 2007 in Restoration 
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The Manton Foundation has awarded a grant in the amount of $125,000 USD to Thacher Island Association for repairs to the South Tower of the Thacher Island Lights (Cape Ann Lightstation), in Rockport, Massachusetts. Renovations are expected to cost $250,000 USD. The North Tower was renovated last year by the International Chimney Corporation, best known for moving the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse in North Carolina.
The original towers were built in 1771, but were replaced in 1861. The twin towers were the site of the first tests by Winslow Lewis’ modified Argand lamp in 1814. They were later adopted at all US lighthouses, until the far superior Fresnel lens replaced them in the 1850s.
Work on the South tower is expected to start next summer, and take about eight to twelve weeks. The association, formed when it took over the tower from the Coast Guard in 2001, has also received a matching grant of $4,000 USD from the Essex National Heritage Commission. Other grant money is being sought and fundraisers are being planned, including a Lighthouse Cruise to Boston Harbor on July 13. Ongoing money raisers include the chance to stay in the keeper’s house, and is comletely rented for 2007. For more information,or to make reservations for 2008, visit their website at www.thacherisland.org/staying/staying.html or call 617-599-2590
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