Monhegan Island Light, Historic lighthouse on Monhegan Island, Maine, US
Monhegan Island Light is a 14-meter granite tower topped with a lantern house, constructed from solid stone blocks fitted together along its walls. This structure has served as a guiding beacon for maritime vessels navigating the waters surrounding the island.
Congress approved this navigational structure in 1822 and it began operation in 1824 to guide vessels through these coastal waters. The tower has stood for nearly two centuries as a testament to early maritime safety efforts along Maine's coast.
The former keeper's dwelling now houses the Monhegan Museum, which displays exhibits about the island's artistic and natural history. Visitors can learn how painters and nature enthusiasts have shaped this place over time.
The lighthouse is accessible to visitors through ferries departing from Port Clyde, New Harbor, and Boothbay Harbor. The island itself is walkable, though reaching the northern side where the tower stands may involve some uneven terrain and limited marked paths.
Betsy Morrow Humphrey managed the lighthouse operations alone while raising eight children when her husband departed for the Civil War. This remarkable woman demonstrated extraordinary resilience in handling this critical maritime responsibility under difficult family circumstances.
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