10 Years of Public Access – Help Us Shine for Another Two Centuries
Goal: $10,000 by June 30, 2025
Your donation will directly support the preservation of this two hundred year old National Register of Historic Places maritime site.
Continuing Our Preservation Journey
For over 230 years, Bakers Island Light Station has guided vessels safely through Salem Sound. Thanks to your past support, we’ve already made significant progress in preserving this maritime treasure. In 2024, we successfully completed the restoration of the lantern room, addressing critical rust issues in the cast iron “donut” base and preventing further water infiltration that was causing rust staining on the tower’s exterior.
Now, we face our next preservation challenge.
The harsh maritime environment continues to take its toll on the masonry of our beloved 1820 lighthouse tower and historic keeper’s houses. Water infiltration through deteriorating mortar joints threatens the very heart of the lighthouse. Without intervention, we risk losing irreplaceable historic fabric and compromising their structural integrity.
Preservation experts have identified these critical needs:
- Comprehensive repointing of interior brickwork throughout the 1820 lighthouse tower
- Restoration of three historic brick chimneys on the keeper’s houses dating to 1857 and 1875
- Protection against further water damage that threatens visitor safety and structural stability
10 Years of Public Access
2025 marks a momentous occasion – the 10th anniversary public access to Bakers Island Light Station through Essex Heritage’s stewardship. In 2014, the deed to the light stations was transferred to Essex Heritage from the United States Coast Guard, and the following year, this maritime treasure was opened to the public. For a decade, we’ve welcomed visitors to experience this isolated piece of New England’s maritime history.
But this anniversary comes at a pivotal moment. With federal funding for historic preservation increasingly uncertain, we must rely on community support to ensure this beacon continues to stand as a testament to our maritime heritage.
Why Your Support Matters Now
Time is not on our side. Each passing season of harsh coastal weather further deteriorates the masonry. What requires $30,000 in repairs today could escalate to hundreds of thousands if collapse or major structural failure occurs.
We’ve seen firsthand how critical timely intervention is. The recent restoration of the lighthouse’s cast iron lantern room—which suffered from rust and water infiltration issues—has proven the effectiveness of addressing these problems promptly. Following recommendations from Structures North Consulting Engineers and work by American Steeple & Tower Co., we successfully halted the deterioration that was threatening this historic structure.
The specialized nature of lighthouse preservation requires expert craftspeople using traditional materials and methods. Our masonry project will be led by Martin J. Nally, a preservation mason with over 31 years of experience who has restored 20 lighthouses for the U.S. Coast Guard.
Your Impact
$10,000 from community supporters like you will unlock the matching funds needed to complete this critical preservation work. Every dollar you contribute will be doubled through our Massachusetts Preservation Projects Fund grant opportunity!
Your gift makes a direct impact:
- $50 provides materials to repoint 2 square feet of historic brickwork
- $100 helps preserve a section of chimney masonry
- $250 protects a vulnerable window well from water infiltration
- $500 supports a full day of specialized masonry restoration
- $1,000 becomes a cornerstone gift, preserving major sections of this historic landmark
Join Our Community of Lighthouse Keepers
For generations, dedicated lighthouse keepers maintained this vital navigational aid through isolation and harsh conditions. Today, you can join this legacy of stewardship by supporting the preservation of their historic home and workplace.
Your donation helps ensure that future generations can continue to visit Bakers Island Light Station, experience its remote beauty, and connect with the rich maritime heritage of Salem Sound.
Donate Today – Before the Light Fades
The time to act is now. With your support, we can preserve this irreplaceable piece of New England’s maritime history before it’s too late.
Essex Heritage is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. All donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.
