New Point Comfort Lighthouse Confusion
By Sue Clark on Jun 19, 2009 in Opinion 
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A Most Confusing Story…
In December 2007, I wrote about New Point Comfort Lighthouse, Virginia, and the plans to rebuild the rocks around what is left of the former peninsula. The lighthouse stands on a small islet of its former site, which was washed away during hurricanes such as Isabel in 2003. Plans were to shore up the remaining land with more rocks, as the lighthouse, stands only 8 or 9 feet above mean tide.
Well, it apparently hasn’t been done yet, according to a recent story in the Daily Press. Mathews County is finally seeking permits from the Virginia Marine Resources Commission this month to build up the rock wall, and is planning to seek grants to cover the $700,000 cost. But that’s not what this article is about.
National Historic Lighthouse - Or Not?
Now, I don’t know if I can fault the reporter entirely, as it’s possible the people quoted in the story from the New Point Comfort Lighthouse Preservation Task Force actually do not know that the New Point Comfort is on the National Register of Historic Places. But reading what the reporter wrote, and what the individual said, there’s a glaring discrepancy. And that’s entirely the fault of the writer for not picking up on it. After all, he wrote it. And at least did the minimum of research.
Let me quote from the story (bold is mine):
The lighthouse made it onto the National Register of Historic Places in 1972, and three years later Mathews acquired it. Over the years it has been a magnet for vandals and is in disrepair. Mathews County will seek grants for the $700,000 project.
Now just a scant three sentences down the story, is this:
The New Point Comfort Lighthouse Preservation Task Force, working in conjunction with the county, is filing paperwork to upgrade the lighthouse’s historic status from statewide to national significance. That would help the restoration and preservation projects qualify for significant federal grants, said member Earl Soles.
“It turns out to be quite a move from the state to the national significance,” Soles said. “There’s a lot of forms and a lot of stuff to fill out, including maps and pictures.”
Okay, so the task force isn’t aware it’s in the Registry database already? A simple check online will elicit that information. And this is the task force charged with repairing the rocks? To make it easier for you, here is the National Register Information System (NRIS) number of New Point Comfort Lighthouse: 73002037
Yes, Mr. Soles. It is listed. You don’t have to fill out a lot of forms and stuff, nor take any pictures or find maps. It’s already been done for you. And if the reporter misquoted you, I apologize, because that is certainly not unheard of in the journalism world.
And just so you all know, the lighthouse was listed with the state on June 20, 1972, and added to the National Register on March 1, 1973. What I’d like to know is if a regular person like myself can access this online in three steps, how come the Mathews County Task Force can’t seem to find the right information? Especially since it’s in their own backyard. Sheesh.
Photo Credit: New Point Comfort Lighthouse by Heath Cash. All rights reserved. Used with permission.
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1 Comment(s)
By Steve Wilson on Aug 13, 2009 | Reply
Ms. Sue Clark
Lighthouse-News.Com
Subject: “New Point Lighthouse Confusion” Article dated Jun 19, 2009
Dear Ms. Clark,
This message is in reply to your article posted on your website on June 19, 2009, subject as above. The members of the New Point Comfort Lighthouse Preservation Task Force of Mathews, Virginia appreciate your interest in the lighthouse, and we look forward to your continued support. We also regret that the article you cited in The Daily Press created some confusion about the lighthouse being on the National Register of Historic Places. We want to assure you that we are—and have been—fully aware since the Task Force was formed that the lighthouse has been on the National Register since March 1, 1973. Many folks are unaware that the National Register has three levels of significance—local, state, and national—and that the level of significance is important in determining eligibility for grant money to preserve historic structures. The New Point Comfort Lighthouse was placed on the National Register at the state level of significance in 1973. The NPCL Task Force is convinced the lighthouse’s unique architecture and history fully qualifies it for listing at the national level of significance. Such an elevation in status will also make the lighthouse eligible for more preservation grants. Again, we appreciate your interest in the New Point Comfort Lighthouse and the chance to set the record straight regarding our knowledge that it has been listed on the National Register since 1973. We would like to invite you to join us as we work to restore and preserve the 10th oldest lighthouse in the U.S. and the 3d oldest surviving lighthouse on the Chesapeake Bay.
Sincerely,
Steve Wilson
Member, New Point Comfort Lighthouse Preservation Task Force