Weddings Become Easier at Absecon Lighthouse
By Sue Clark on Aug 21, 2007 in Other 
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Absecon Lighthouse, New Jersey, is celebrating its 150th birthday this year, and those wishing to get married at a lighthouse have it a lot easier than before. Jean Muchanic, executive director of the Inlet Public/Private Association, which runs the lighthouse, became an interfaith minister in order to provide wedding services to those wanting to marry in the shadow of New Jersey’s tallest lighthouse.
Although Absecon is 150, it only served for 76 years, being probably the only lighthouse deactivated due to light pollution. Not from the beacon itself, but from the surrounding lights of Atlantic City. Even as tall as it is, the lights of the city became too bright for Absecon to be effectively seen at sea. So it went dark in 1933, and was only relit twice, once to celebrate Atlantic Sity’s Centennial in 1954, and once again to celebrate New Jersey’s Tercentenary year, with then Governor Richard Hughes relighting the lamp on December 31, 1063. The original keeper’s house was destroyed by fire in 1993, but the Inlet Public/Private Association rebuilt it.
The Times Herald Record also has a recent story about Absecon, detailing the life of a lighthouse keeper in the past.
“The lights were never designed for their keepers’ comfort,” according to Brett Franks, a member of the New Jersey Lighthouse Society and a volunteer at Absecon. “When the keeper was at his post in the watch room, it could be as cold indoors as it was outdoors in winter. There was just enough heat to keep the lamp oil from freezing. In summer, it could be very hot, particularly since the men wore wool uniforms.
“In winter, they also had to keep the windows from freezing over with ice by washing them down with salt water. Hanging off hand and footholds on the outside of the light, with snow falling and a good wind blowing, was very dangerous. These men had to have plenty of guts to do their jobs,” Franks says.
Volunteers at Absecon have put together some interesting programs and events for education.
- Sailors, Seafood & Lifesaving
Lighthouse education program for teachers and students, including the curriculum, materials and in-service training. It includes a field trip and visit to the Atlantic City Aquarium, with an optional one hour cruise. - “Keeper Sleeper†Overnight Program
This program for kids includes video presentations, lighthouse history, night climbs, build their own lighthouses, snack, breakfast, compass and orienteering skills, ghost stories (optional), and gift shopping. Great for scouts and other groups. - Kids Keeper Camp
This week-long summer camp program is for kids ages 8-12. Includes a dolphin watching cruise, Atlantic City Aquarium tour, art projects, outdoor games, making kites & flying them on the beach, learning Victorian customs, making butter, apple juice & ice cream, learning lighthouse history, and climbing the Lighthouse tower. - Group Tours
Guided tour of the grounds, museum and a climb to the top of the tower.
For more information on Absecon Lighthouse, visit www.abseconlighthouse.org.
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