Pemaquid Point Restoration Underway
By Sue Clark on Jul 5, 2007 in Restoration 
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Pemaquid Point Lighthouse, the only lighthouse to appear on United States Money (the state quarter issued in 2003) is undergoing a $105,000 USD facelift this year. Thanks in part to a $50,000 grant from Lowes Charitable Educational Foundation and the National Trust for Historic Preservation, work has begun on stripping the layers of paint from the exterior and repointing the mortar. A $10,000 grant from the Maine Historic Commission awarded to ALF has also been earmarked in part for this project. The work is being done by J.B. Leslie Masonry Contractors of South Berwick, Maine, and is expected to take up to eight weeks for completion.
Pemaquid Point is one of the most accessible lighthouses in Maine, and is open for climbing seven days a week from Memorial Day to Columbus Day. It is currently under a twenty five year lease to the American Lighthouse Foundation from the Coast Guard. It’s embroiled in a bit of controversy right now, as the town of Bristol claims it was not offered the chance to run the tower as part of its Lighthouse park. John Allen, the current director of the Fisherman’s Museum (located in the keeper’s house) appeared before selectmen to garner support and has formed a committee with the town of Bristol to try and wrest the lighthouse from ALF, even going so far as to put a warrant on the town meeting agenda to spend $10,000 to an attorney to try and gain control.
The lighthouse will be open for climbing during restoration. More information on this project, along with some photos, can be found on ALF’s website.
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