Lighthouse Preservation Society

CONTACT:

11 Seaborne Drive
Dover, NH 03820
800-727-2326
lighthousepreservation.org

James Hyland

DESCRIPTION:

Henry Kissinger was, of course, wrong; Philanthropy, and not "Power", "is the great aphrodisiac." Take lighthouses, for example. Our first national Public Works program, "The First Great Work of the American People" was the 9th Act of Congress, which authorized a massive effort to build a string of lighthouses on our eastern shore, so that no ship in coastal waters would ever be out of sight of a lighthouse. The result is that we have more lighthouses than any other nation: 1,200 were built, 800 remain, of which fewer than 500 are still operational. They are all automated, but are becoming technologically obsolete for navigation.

There are, we perceive, other uses. The Lighthouse Preservation Society offers the night of your dreams, at any one of a dozen restored lighthouses around the country. For example, a prix fixe, tout compris dining experience, from 5-11 p.m., includes a catered meal of your choice atop the Newburyport Rear Range Lighthouse; cost is $375 per couple, with 50% tax deductible. Boston Magazine’s Phantom Gourmet rated it the “most romantic and exclusive,” one of New England’s top eight dining experiences. Yankee Magazine called it one of “Top 35 Things to Do This Summer.” It’s a favorite destination for marriage proposals and European visitors. Income raised so far has restored two historic Light Towers. All this can be yours as well.

(1998: CULTURE: Education: Informal: Historic Preservation)