News release from the American Lighthouse Foundation:
History is not always easy to see, touch or find. In fact, some of the most fascinating vestiges of our historic past manage to remain obscured by circumstances and time itself until one day they are discovered, often times in unsuspecting fashion.

A recent discovery at Maine’s Pemaquid Point Lighthouse by the contracting firm working with the American Lighthouse Foundation (ALF) this summer to restore the iconic beacon uncovered an item of historic interest previously unknown, a lost window on the east (or ocean) side of the tower’s base.

The American Lighthouse Foundation is undertaking the exterior restoration of the1835 Pemaquid Point Lighthouse, with J.B. Leslie Masonry Contractors of South Berwick, Maine, performing the professional masonry work on the light tower. During a recent phase of the project, which included work to cut out the deteriorated mortar joints between the granite stonework, masons removed the cement shroud that had long obscured the well-defined outline and lintels of a window.

“By examining the stonework, it is my guess that the original masons who built this tower back in the early 1800s were not the same folks who eventually did away with the window on the lighthouse, though they appeared to have used the same type of granite,” said Jim Leslie, president of J.B. Leslie Masonry Contractors. “There is a distinct difference between the quality of workmanship used throughout the rest of the tower’s construction versus the work to eliminate the window by filling it in.”

Though the one-time window had to be concealed once again in late-July to repoint and recoat the historic tower, the American Lighthouse Foundation and the Maine Historic Preservation Commission ensured that the window’s existence was photographically documented prior to the continuation of the remaining phases of the exterior restoration project.

“The 2007 exterior restoration of Pemaquid Point Lighthouse is very much history in the making, but to uncover a long-forgotten vestige of the beacon’s past at the same time, is really exciting,” said Bob Trapani, Jr., ALF executive director.

Trapani went on to note, “This discovery will become a neat human interest item for the volunteers of the Friends of Pemaquid Point Lighthouse (a chapter of ALF) to share with the many thousands of visitors who climb the tower each year. So from both a historical perspective and educational opportunity, the lost window is allowing us to see into another glimpse of lighthouse history previously unknown.”

This fascinating piece of newly discovered history has also piqued the interest of individuals like ALF historian Jeremy D’Entremont and ALF president Timothy Harrison, who are both now delving into their extensive collections of records and images to learn if there is any recorded mention of the window that may explain the mystery surrounding its existence.

As ALF historian Jeremy D’Entremont notes, “Historic research and restoration often lead to intriguing surprises, and every fact that’s uncovered provides another piece of the overall puzzle. Somewhere, there may be correspondence or other information that would shed some light on this window and the reasons it was blocked. We’d certainly welcome any information about that.”

D’Entremont went on to say, “What we can say for sure is that the restoration is also serving to show us just how skilled the builders were. The first keeper, Isaac Dunham, wasn’t exaggerating when he wrote, “A better tower and lantern was never built in this state.” I have no doubt that Dunham would also approve of the current work being carried out by the skilled crew of J. B. Leslie Masonry Contractors.”

ALF president Timothy Harrison echoed D’Entremont’s sentiments about the historical significance of such finds, noting, “To lighthouse historians, this is like discovering gold. While there are many old photos of Pemaquid Point, most do not show the lighthouse from this angle showing a window, so this is a rare find.”

Harrison concluding saying, “It reminds me of the port hole window in the keeper’s house at Portland Head Light in Cape Elizabeth. In that case, many old photos showed the porthole window, but modern era photos did not and everyone assumed it had been removed. But, during restoration in the early 1990’s the window was uncovered and still in place with the glass still in the window.”

The nonprofit American Lighthouse Foundation, which is dedicated to the mission of lighthouse preservation and education, is asking for the public’s financial help for its ongoing mission. To make a donation to ALF, or to the exterior restoration of Pemaquid Point Lighthouse, urgently needed donations can be sent to the American Lighthouse Foundation, P.O. Box 565, Rockland, ME 04841 or on their web site at www.LighthouseFoundation.org. You can also call them at 207-594-4174.

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