Western Long Island Sound Lighthouse Cruise on March 26!

Venture out for a rare close-up look at eight historic lighthouses on Long Island Sound, in Connecticut and New York.

Participants aboard the R/V Spirit of the Sound will make close passes by these lighthouses: Greens Ledge, Sheffield Island, Stamford Harbor, Great Captain Island, Execution Rocks, Stepping Stones, Sands Point, and Eatons Neck.

Revolutionary in design, the new catamaran Spirit of the Sound is the only research vessel in North America with hybrid-electric propulsion. She runs virtually silently on electric power. Passengers must be over 42" tall. If under the age of 18, you must be accompanied by an adult.

The Western Long Island Sound Lighthouse Cruise will also be offered on Sat., April 23, and Sat., May 28.

The six-hour cruise departs at 9:00 a.m. Special guest on the March 26 cruise will be Jeremy D'Entremont, who has been called the leading expert on New England's historic lighthouses. He is the author or co-author of more than 12 books, including The Lighthouses of Connecticut and The Lighthouse Handbook: New England.

Jeremy and Aquarium educators will share histories and anecdotes about the lighthouses, and also point out the Sound’s visiting winter waterfowl. Binoculars are provided. Lighthouse Cruises are a special photo opportunity for both lighthouse buffs and bird-watchers, so bring your camera! R/V Spirit of the Sound has a climate-controlled cabin.

Tickets are $75 ($65 for Aquarium members). Advance purchase is required. Capacity is limited to 25. Reserve your tickets by clicking here, or call (203) 852-0700, ext. 2206.

Lighthouses & Keepers: A Symposium – June 4, 2016 in Kittery, Maine

Come join the American Lighthouse Foundation and Friends of Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouses on June 4, 2016, from 1 to 5 p.m., for a symposium at the Kittery Lions Club, 117 State Road (Route 1), in Kittery, Maine.

Proceeds will benefit the American Lighthouse Foundation and its local chapter, Friends of Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouses. Refreshments will be available, and a raffle will include books and other lighthouse-related items. Admission is $15 per person, or $25 for two people.

Program:

Russ Lane, Sr., at Whitehead Island in August 2015.

1) Russ Lane, Jr., will present his video documentary “Looking for a Hero” that tells the story of the amazing rescue his father performed when he was a Coast Guard lighthouse keeper at Whitehead Island in Maine in 1958. Russ Lane’s actions on that day saved the lives of five young people.

Ida Lewis

2) Marian Gagnon of Goodnight Irene Productions will present her video documentary , “America’s Forgotten Heroine: Ida Lewis, Keeper of the Light.” The Emmy-nominated film brings to life the extraordinary story of Ida Zoradia Lewis, America’s most famous woman lighthouse keeper. Ida took over the duties at Lime Rock Lighthouse in Newport, R.I. at the age of 15 when her father suffered a stroke in the 1850s. She tended the light for more than 50 years and also single-handedly rescued at least 18 people.

Conimicut Light

3) Frederick Mikkelsen will give a presentation on his days (1958-60) as a Coast Guard lighthouse keeper, entitled, “Checked Main Light – Lighthouse Life in the 1950s” Frederick will tell about his most terrifying experience in his years at Conimicut Lighthouse in Rhode Island—a 1960 hurricane—along with other true tales of lighthouse keeping.

4) Bob Trapani, Jr., executive director of the American Lighthouse Foundation, and Jeremy D’Entremont, founder of Friends of Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouses, will speak about the mission of these organizations to preserve our lighthouses and their history, followed by questions and answers.

CLICK HERE for more information and tickets.