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History
Historic Introduction
The first lighthouse at the Isles of Shoals was erected on White Island
in 1820.It was made out of stone and wood shingles. At one time in the
early years, the lighthouse had patriotic flashing red, white and blue
lights. The blue light was discontinued because of its dimness. In 1838
it was one of the first lighthouses to have a fresnel light installed.
The lighthouse was too low for a satisfactory test of this. A different
lighting device was installed in 1841, although according to I.W.P. Lewis
"The whole construction of the apparatus bears the mark of rude workmanship"
The lamps and reflectors were not replaced with a more efficient fresnel
light until 1855. In 1859 the present tower was constructed. New Hampshire's
most famous poet, Celia Thaxter, lived on the island for many years. Celia
moved out to the island when she was four. Her father had been appointed
lighthouse keeper. She came to love the island and when she got older
and moved to the mainland her house was like a jail and she couldn't wait
to go to the island for the summer. Celia's poetry about the islands became
very famous and attracted a lot of attention to the island! At age fifty-nine
during a summer on Appledore Celia passed away. People believe that her
spirit stills wanders around the islands. In 1859 the United States government
built the existing tower to help fortify the seacoast. This is the tower
that stands on White Island today. It is built from bricks and stone and
stands 85 feet above mean high water. Although this lighthouse was constructed
with the best materials available at the time, a century's worth of viscous
winter storms have taken their toll. White Island Light has cracked, and
is in serious danger of collapse.
White Island Historic Timeline
Including Lighthouse Kids Efforts
Colonial Times (1600-late 1700s) – White and Seavey Island most
likely named for early owners Pirates frequented the Shoals. Blackbeard
may have buried treasure at the Shoals. Pirate, Sandy Gordon died when
his ship the Flying Scott was sunk. Sandy never returned to his home on
White Island. His bride was left there for the remainder of her life.
1820 -- First Lighthouse on White Island. Made of wood. The U.S. Secretary
of the Treasury Administered all Lighthouse Keepers.
1839 – Thomas Laighton became lighthouse keeper on White Island.
1852 -- Oct 09, United State Lighthouse Service was established to administer
lighthouses and their keepers.
1859 -- Brick Tower Constructed. (This is the lighthouse which stands
today.)
1915 -- United States Coast Guard formed.
1939 -- July 01, United States Coast Guard took over the administration
of lighthouses and their keepers.
c.1954 – The Victorian Keepers’ cottage was destroyed, probably
by hurricane Carol on Aug 30. An earlier cottage remained.
1978 -- Blizzard, Boat House washed away. A 300 lb. Rock smashed through
the wall of the keepers’cottage flooding it.
1986 – Oct 10, Lighthouse automated. No more Keepers. The property
started falling into a state of disrepair.
Late 1980s -- Tool shed washed away.
1992 -- US Coast Guard gave White Island back to the State of New Hampshire.
The Coast Guard would still maintain the light as a navigational aid.
White and Seavey Islands, including buildings/structures became the responsibility
of State of New Hampshire, Department of Resources and Economic Development,
Division of Parks and Recreating the NH Parks Department operates on revenues
collected from tourists. There were no
tourists visiting White Island Lighthouse. It was too remote. Therefore
the Lighthouse Station fell into more and more disrepair.
2000-- NH Audubon Society and NH Fish and Game Department began the Tern
Restoration Project on Seavey Island.
Lighthouse Kids Efforts
2000 --2001 … A Community Service group of 7th graders at North
Hampton School began efforts to save White Island Lighthouse. This first
group raised $400.00
2001-2002 … Helped by Dennis Robinson at www.seacoastnh.com, Lighthouse
Kids developed their own web site. They got media recognition in local
newspapers, the Boston Globe and Lighthouse Digest.
2002—2003 Lighthouse Kids spoke at various local service groups
and at the International Lighthouse Convention. Lighthouse Kids officially
became a nonprofit Chapter of the American Lighthouse Foundation. Features
appeared on TV – New England Cable News, NH Chronicle and Channel
11. Lighthouse Kids were again featured in several newspapers and magazines,
including Yankee Magazine/, July/August. With the help of State Representative
Rogers Johnson, House Bill 274A was introduced to appropriate state funds
to save White Island Lighthouse Station. Lighthouse Kids addressed two
committees of the NH Legislature. In April and in Washington DC, Senator
Judd Gregg presented Lighthouse Kids with a $250,000, "Save Americas’
Treasures" matching grant. Jeremy D’Entremont, local historian,
writer for Lighthouse Digest and keeper of Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouse
(keeper@lighthouse.cc), took all 7th graders up into Portsmouth Harbor
Light. Jeremy also came to school and helped with lighthouse history.
Through fund raisers, letter writing and sincere efforts, at year’s
end more than $20,000 in the Lighthouse Kids account.
2003—2004 Lighthouse Kids continued to raise awareness and money
to save White Island Lighthouse Station. Lighthouse Kids raised more than
$57,000. In September the NH Governor and Council approved a Memorandum
of Agreement between the State of NH and Lighthouse Kids. Lighthouse Kids
are working as partners with the State to raise the funds necessary for
this monumental project. In Language Arts classes, Lighthouse Kids wrote
persuasive letters to local businesses soliciting donations. Lighthouse
Kids applied for and received grant funds this year. Lighthouse Kids representatives
and engineers met
on White Island to begin the design of a landing. Lighthouse Kids worked
to get the state to send workers out to stabilize the tower against further
erosion before winter.
2004-2005 Lighthouse Kids continued their efforts to Save the Lighthouse
Station. Kids again wrote persuasive letter in Language arts class. Those
letters have raised more than $2,000.00. The Kids spoke to local Rotarians..
With the help of a parent group, Lighthouse Kids began a major fundraiser.
Please read about “LOBSTARS” elsewhere on this website. Lighthouse
Kids spoke to local businesses in order to solicit sponsorship of “Lobstars”.
Lighthouse Kids get $50,000 from 1772 Foundation. Lighthouse Kids give
NH Governor and Council $110,000. YEAH! The Lighthouse tower is repaired
and the keepers’ cottage has a new roof.
2005-2006 Lighthouse Kids raise $88,000 from Lobstar Project and Auction.
Lighthouse Kids get an additional $10,000 from 1772 Foundation. LHK continue
to raise funds through letter writing campaigns and speaking engagements.
LHKs plan to present the State of New Hampshire with $$$ again this spring
so that reconstruction efforts can continue this summer.
2006-2007 Lighthouse Kids donate $100,000.00 to the State of New Hampshire
for the construction of a Marine Railway at White Island. Historically
the marine railway existed to provide access to White Island. When the
Lighthouse became automated in 1986, the manpower to complete repairs
disappeared and so does the marine railway. North Hampton School’s
Letter Writing Campaign raises $3,400.00. First Annual Walkathon raises
$3,358.00
2007-2008
Lighthouse Kids Chapters are at Rye Junior High School and Winnacunnet
High School.
Pickering Marine of Portsmouth NH is constructing the Marine Railway.
Related Web Sites:
www.lighthousekids.org our website
www.keeper@lighthouse.cc Jeremy D’Entremont, lighthouse historian
and keeper of Portsmouth Harbor Light
www.seacoastnh.com Dennis Robinson, local historian
www.lhdigest.com American Lighthouse Foundation www.nightbeacon.com/lighthouseinformation/uslighthousehistory.html
If you would like to make a donation to help save the lighthouse, contact
our donations page!
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All content, design, photos, & layout © Lighthouse Kids, 2004-2005,
all rights reserved. Layout & design by Colin Carlson.
All content, design, photos, & layout © Lighthouse Kids, 2006-2007, all rights reserved. Layout & design by Colin Carlson.Web Hosting by Tidal Media Group, Portsmouth NH
www.tidalmediagroup.com