September 11, 2021

Maine Open Lighthouse Day Will Take a Pause in 2020…Read More

This popular annual event, which is sponsored by the United States Coast Guard, the Maine Office of Tourism and the American Lighthouse Foundation, attracts between 15,000 to 18,000 visitors each year and offers the general public the rare opportunity to climb and learn about over two dozen historic Maine lights.

List of previous participating sites:

You may use this list as a general guide for the 2021 event…please check back as list is updated in early summer 2021.

(All lighthouses will be open 9:00 am to 3:00 pm unless otherwise noted)

Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse

Location: Bass Harbor, Mount Desert Island Historic Buildings Open: Light tower How to Get There: Land based. Coordinates: 44°13′ 19″ N 68°20′ 14″ W The lighthouse is an active Coast Guard aid to navigation and contains a beautiful fourth order Fresnel lens. The light station’s historic buildings are cared for by the USCG.

Burnt Coat Harbor Lighthouse

Location: Swan’s Island (offshore) Historic Buildings Open: Light tower and keeper’s house Special Activities: Arts and crafts from local artists on display in the art room; historic displays and student art in the history room; and, most important: the light tower, which has been closed all summer for renovation, will reopen for tower tours on September 14 only. Be sure to check out the light station’s 1.8 miles of scenic trails. How to Get There: Maine State Ferry from Bass Harbor to Swan’s Island. Please see ferry’s website for schedule and fees at: www.maine.gov/mdot/msfs/swansisland.htm or call (207) 244-3254. Coordinates: 44°08′ 03″ N 68°26′ 50″ W The lighthouse is an active Coast Guard aid to navigation. The light station is owned by the Town of Swan’s Island, and the historic buildings are cared for by the nonprofit Friends of Swan’s Island Lighthouse. For more info, visit: www.burntcoatharborlight.com

Burnt Island Lighthouse

Location: Boothbay Harbor (offshore) NOTE SPECIAL TIME: 9am to Noon Historic Buildings Open: Light tower and keeper’s house (Living history museum inside) How to Get There: Offshore…access from Pier 8 via Balmy Days Cruises, Boothbay Harbor. Please see website for schedule and fees at: www.balmydayscruises.com or call (207) 633-2284. The lighthouse is an active Coast Guard aid to navigation. The light station’s historic buildings are owned and managed by the Maine Department of Marine Resources. For more info, visit: www.maine.gov/dmr/burntisland/index.htm Coordinates: 43°49′ 31″ N 69°38′ 27″ W

Curtis Island Lighthouse

Location: Camden Harbor (offshore) Historic Buildings Open: Light tower only How to Get There: Offshore…visitors must find their own transportation to the island. Kayak tours may be available from Camden Harbor. Coordinates: 44°12′ 06″ N 69°02′ 54″ W

Doubling Point Lighthouse

Location: Arrowsic, Kennebec River (land-based) Historic Buildings Open: Light tower only Special Activities: Visitors will have the chance to meet Karen and Danny McLean, former Coast Guard keepers at Doubling Point and Doubling Point Range Lights. How to Get There: Land based



Coordinates: 43°52′ 57″ N 69°48′ 25″ W The lighthouse is an active Coast Guard aid to navigation. The lighthouse is owned and managed by the Friends of Doubling Point Lighthouse. The remainder of the light station’s historic buildings are privately owned (please respect the owners privacy). For more info, visit: www.doublingpoint.org

Dyce Head Lighthouse

Location: Castine (land-based) Historic Buildings Open: Light tower only How to Get There: Land based Coordinates: 44°22′ 57″ N 68°49′ 07″ W The lighthouse is an active aid to navigation. The light station’s historic buildings are owned and managed by the Town of Castine. The keeper’s house is a private residence (please respect the tenant’s privacy).

Fort Point Lighthouse

Location: Stockton Springs (land-based) Historic Buildings Open: Light tower (contains a Fresnel lens) and bell tower (exhibits inside) How to Get There: Land based Coordinates: 44°28′ 02″ N 68°48′ 42″ W The lighthouse is an active Coast Guard aid to navigation and contains a beautiful fourth order Fresnel lens. The light station’s historic buildings are owned by the State of Maine and managed by the Fort Point State Historic Site. The keeper’s house is the residence of the Park Ranger and his family (please respect their privacy).

Goat Island Lighthouse

Location: Cape Porpoise (offshore) NOTE SPECIAL TIME: TBD Historic Buildings Open: Light tower and keeper’s house Special Activities: Monitors are set up as a walking museum in the covered walkway between the keeper’s house and lighthouse, which show old photos of lightkeepers, island life and a home video from the Worrell’s, who were keepers at Goat Island from 1968 to 1972. How to Get There: Offshore…visitors must find their own transportation to the island. If you enjoy kayaking, please call Kayak Excursions at (888) 925-7496 or Coastal Maine Kayak at (207) 967-6065 for rates and details. Coordinates: 43°21′ 30″ N 70°25′ 30″ W The lighthouse is an active Coast Guard aid to navigation. The light station’s historic buildings are owned and managed by the Kennebunkport Conservation Trust. For more info, visit: www.kporttrust.org

Grindle Point Lighthouse

Location: Islesboro (offshore) Historic Buildings Open: Light tower and keeper’s house (Museum & gift shop inside) How to Get There: Maine State Ferry from Lincolnville to the island of Islesboro. Please see ferry’s website for schedule and fees at: www.maine.gov/mdot/msfs/islesboro.htm or call (207) 633-2284. Coordinates: 44°16′ 56″ N 68°56′ 34″ W The lighthouse is an active Coast Guard aid to navigation. The light station’s historic buildings are owned and managed by the Town of Islesboro. For more info, visit: http://townofislesboro.com/departments/grindle-point-sailors-museum/





Marshall Point Lighthouse

Location: Port Clyde (land-based) Historic Buildings Open: Light tower and keeper’s house (Museum & gift shop inside) How to Get There: Land based Coordinates: 43°55′ 03″ N 69°15′ 41″ W The lighthouse is an active Coast Guard aid to navigation. The light station’s historic buildings are owned and managed by the St. George Historical Society. For more info, visit: www.marshallpoint.org

Monhegan Island Lighthouse

Location: Monhegan Island (offshore) NOTE SPECIAL TIME: 11am to 4pm Special Activities: A small exhibit of Alice Swett paintings are on exhibit in the Keeper’s house this summer. Historic Buildings Open: Light tower and keeper’s house (Museum inside) How to Get There: Offshore…Boats from Port Clyde, New Harbor and Boothbay Harbor. Please see websites for the following companies for schedules and fees: Monhegan Boat Line: http://monheganboat.com

T:(207) 372-8848 Hardy Boat Cruises: http://hardyboat.com/monhegan_ferry.htm

T:(207) 677-2026 Balmy Days Cruises: www.balmydayscruises.com/day/index.shtml

T:(207) 633-2284 Coordinates: 43°45′ 54″ N 69°18′ 54″ W

Moose Peak Lighthouse

Location: Mistake Island (offshore) Historic Buildings Open: Light tower How to Get There: Please RSVP at the following email address: moosepeaklighthouse@gmail.com The private owners will be making two boat trips (10 passengers per trip) from Jonesport to Mistake Island – one trip at 10:00 am and the other at 1:00 pm. The first twenty people to register for the trip at the above email address will be able to visit Moose Peak Lighthouse during Maine Open Lighthouse Day. The private owners will provide details as to where to meet in Jonesport, etc., once your reservation is confirmed with them. Coordinates: 44°28′ 27.7″ N 67°31′ 55.3″ W The lighthouse is an active Coast Guard aid to navigation. The light station structures are privately owned.

Owls Head Lighthouse

Location: Owls Head (land-based) Historic Buildings Open: Light tower & keeper’s house (Interpretive center & gift shop inside) Special Activities: Book Signing: Author Angeli Perrow will signing copies of her popular children’s book inside the keeper’s house from 11am to 3pm. How to Get There: Land based Coordinates: 44°05′ 33″ N 69°02′ 39″ W The lighthouse is an active Coast Guard aid to navigation and contains a beautiful fourth order Fresnel lens. The light station’s historic buildings are cared for by the American Lighthouse Foundation and serves as the headquarters for the nonprofit organization. For more info, visit: www.lighthousefoundation.org/lighthouses/owls-head-light/

Pemaquid Point Lighthouse

Location: Bristol (land-based) Historic Buildings Open: Light tower (contains a Fresnel lens) and keeper’s house (Museum inside, which is operated by the Town of Bristol) How to Get There: Land based Coordinates: 43°50′ 12″ N 69°30′ 21″ W The lighthouse is an active Coast Guard aid to navigation and contains a beautiful fourth order Fresnel lens. The light tower is cared for by the Friends of Pemaquid Point Lighthouse, a chapter of the American Lighthouse Foundation. For more info, visit: www.lighthousefoundation.org/lighthouses/pemaquid-point-light/

Portland Breakwater Lighthouse (Bug Light)

Location: South Portland (land-based) Historic Buildings Open: Light tower only. New interpretive panels for 2015. How to Get There: Land based Coordinates: 43°39′ 20″ N 70°14′ 06″ W The lighthouse is a private aid to navigation and is owned by the City of South Portland.

Portland Head Lighthouse

Location: Cape Elizabeth (land-based) SPECIAL NOTE: Approximately 280 tickets will be made available for visitors on a first-come-first serve basis the day of the event, which are necessary for climbing the tower.You must be at least 48 inches tall and able to handle 85+ steps unassisted to climb the tower. Historic Buildings Open: Light tower and keeper’s house (Museum inside & adjacent gift shop) How to Get There: Land based Coordinates: 43°37′ 24″ N 70°12′ 30″ W The lighthouse is an active Coast Guard aid to navigation. The light station’s historic buildings are owned and managed by the Town of Cape Elizabeth. For more info on the Museum at Portland Head Light, visit: www.portlandheadlight.com

Seguin Island Lighthouse

Location: Off Popham Beach (offshore) Historic Buildings Open: Light tower and keeper’s house (museum and gift shop inside) How to Get There: Offshore… Seguin Island Ferry- please see website of Fish’N’Trips

Charters by Captain Ethan DeBery at: http://fishntripsmaine.com/seguinislandferry.html

or call (207) 841-7977 Coordinates: 43°42′ 30″ N 69°45′ 30″ W

Spring Point Lighthouse

Location: South Portland (land-based via a breakwater) Historic Buildings Open: Light tower How to Get There: Land based via a breakwater at the Southern Maine Community College Coordinates: 43°39′ 07″ N 70°13′ 26″ W The lighthouse is an active Coast Guard aid to navigation and is owned and managed by the Spring Point Ledge Light Trust. For more info, visit: http://springpointlight.org/

Squirrel Point Light

Location: Arrowsic NOTE SPECIAL TIME: 10am to 3pm Historic Buildings Open: Grounds Only Coordinates: 43° 49′ 00″ N 68° 48′ 06″ W How to Get There: Land based. Squirrel Point Light lies at the end of 2/3 mile trail in Arrowsic, Maine, approximately 10 miles from the City of Bath. The footpath through protected forests and wetlands is well-marked, but uneven and rough in places. For more information visit: www.squirrelpoint.org/visit.html NOTE: Though the lighthouse will not be open, the light station grounds are open to the public. The Citizens for Squirrel Point, a nonprofit group restoring the historic site, will have volunteers at the light station to talk with visitors about the present efforts and future plans to preserve the lighthouse, keeper’s house, oil house, barn and boathouse.

West Quoddy Head Lighthouse

Location: Lubec (land-based) NOTE SPECIAL TIME: 11am to 3pm Historic Buildings Open: Light tower and keeper’s house (Museum inside) How to Get There: Land based Coordinates: 44°48′ 55″ N 66°57′ 04″ W The lighthouse is an active Coast Guard aid to navigation and contains a beautiful third order Fresnel lens. The light station’s historic buildings are owned and maintained by the Maine Department of Parks and Lands. The Museum inside the keeper’s house is operated by the West Quoddy Head Light Keepers Association. For more info, visit: www.westquoddy.com

Whitehead Lighthouse

Location: Whitehead Island (Offshore) NOTE SPECIAL TIME: 1pm – 3:30pm Historic Buildings Open: Light tower, keepers house, whistle house and grounds How to Get There: Complimentary boat transportation available by reservation. RSVP with arrival time, number of adults & children (12 & under) at: www.whiteheadlightstation.org/openhouse/ or by calling (207) 200-7957. Upon registering you will receive driving directions to pick up location. Coordinates: 43°58′ 43″ N 69°07′ 27″ W The lighthouse is an active Coast Guard aid to navigation. The light station is owned and maintained by the nonprofit Pine Island Camp which offers educational enrichment programs and retreats for adults at this location. For more info, visit: www.whiteheadlightstation.org

Wood Island Lighthouse

Location: Biddeford Pool (offshore) Historic Buildings Open: Light tower and keeper’s house How to Get There: Aboard the boat “Light Runner,” which is operated by the Friends of Wood Island Lighthouse.Reservations are required…use their online reservation system. . Coordinates: 43°27′ 25″ N 70°19′ 45″ W The lighthouse is an active Coast Guard aid to navigation. The light station’s historic buildings are cared for by the Friends of Wood Island Lighthouse, a chapter of the American Lighthouse Foundation. For more info, visit: www.woodislandlighthouse.org or

www.lighthousefoundation.org/lighthouses/wood-island-light/

Other Lighthouse Attractions:

Maine Lighthouse Museum

Location: One Park Drive, Rockland The Museum has the largest collection of Fresnel lenses on display in the nation. Other exhibits pay tribute to our lighthouse history (both the U.S. Lighthouse Service and U.S. Coast Guard eras), as well as the United States Life-Saving Service. The Museum is a must-see while visiting Maine’s lighthouses. FMI: Visit www.mainelighthousemuseum.org or call (207) 594-3301.

Maine Maritime Museum

Location: 243 Washington Street, Bath The Museum’s newly opened exhibit “Into the Lantern: A Lighthouse Experience”, a full-scale replication of the Cape Elizabeth Two Lights lighthouse tower lantern room, allows visitors to see the original second-order Fresnel lens from the east tower at Two Lights and experience the environment of the lantern room through time-lapsed video projections featuring a panorama of the Gulf of Maine that changes with the weather and seasons. This immersive exhibit is the first of its kind anywhere. FMI and Admission Fees Visit: http://www.mainemaritimemuseum.org or call (207) 443-1316.

Somes Sound Light Tour – Bar Harbor Whale Watch Company

Event Location: 1 West Street, Bar Harbor FMI: Somes sound is a famous and spectacular fjord-like sound with mountains, waterfalls, and cliffs. On this tour we visit Somes Sound and see Egg Rock, Winter Harbor, Baker Island and Bear Island Lights. This narrated trip offers ample time at each light for excellent photography. For more info, visit: www.barharborwhales.com/whale-watching-tours/lighthouse-and-national-park-tour/ or 1-888-WHALES-4

Maine Open Lighthouse Day – Participating Sites Map