Assateague Lighthouse Falling Apart
By Sue Clark on Dec 5, 2007 in Threatened 
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Ironwork Rusting; Mortar Crumbling
Although the peeling paint slams the eyes of visitors to Assateague Island’s lighthouse, far more dangerous problems might await the unwary visitor. Rusting ironwork along the catwalk around the lantern room has led to its being encased in mesh to prevent further chunks falling off, as happened in the summer of 2006. Mortar is literally popping out from between the bricks, which can eventually lead to a building collapse. It’s estimated that it will take over one million dollars to restore this gem of Virginia, but only $200,000 dollars has been raised so far.
The lighthouse, located in the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, on the Virginia side of the island (the other half is owned by Maryland), was built in 1833 and stands 142 feet tall. Ownership of the structure was handed over by the U.S. Coast Guard to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in 2004. The Chincoteague Natural History Association took over the maintenance and operation of the lighthouse shortly afterward, providing tours and leading fundraising efforts. Currently they’re offering a 2008 lighthouse calendar for sale.
Work is expected to start next summer on some of the more glaring problems, especially the catwalk. Interior work including reglazing the windows to prevent moisture from seeping in, and refurbishments to the metal inside the lighthouse. The repointing of old mortar is the next priority, and it has to be done to historic standards. If the old is replaced with newer types of mortar, it can actually cause weightbearing problems due to chemical differences and actually push more of the old mortar out. The painting will be done last.
After the first million dollars is raised, through fundraising and hopefully grants, the Association hopes to raise another million to maintain the light for generations to come. The shame in all this is that the government, which has neglected these pieces of our history until they’ve gotten to this point, is not willing to put out the money to repair them.
The Ponies
Assateague is probably best known for the wild ponies that roam free under the protection and management of the Assateague Island National Seashore. Their cousins on Chincoteague are owned by the Chincoteague Fire Department. The annual 3 minute swim of the ponies from Assateague to Chincoteague and the auction of the young horses was made famous by the true story written by Marguerite Henry in 1947, Misty of Chincoteague. This annual event, held on the last Wednesday of July each year, has been ongoing since 1925, has the goal of thinning the herd and raising money for the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Dept. After some of the foals and yearlings are auctioned off, the herd swims back to Assateague. Perhaps some of the 40,000 people that attend this event can pony up some money to help restore the lighthouse, another icon of the islands.
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