Preservation of 200-year-old lighthouse receives funding from United States Lighthouse Society and Preservation Massachusetts/1772 Foundation as 10th anniversary campaign launches

SALEM, MA – May 12, 2025 – Essex National Heritage Commission (Essex Heritage) has secured two significant grants totaling $7,500 toward the critical masonry restoration of Bakers Island Light Station, one of the oldest lighthouses in the nation. The funding comes as Essex Heritage celebrates the 10th anniversary of public access to this historic maritime landmark under its stewardship.

The United States Lighthouse Society has committed $2,500 to support comprehensive repointing of the 1820 lighthouse brick masonry tower, while Preservation Massachusetts, in collaboration with the 1772 Foundation, has awarded $5,000 specifically for the restoration of three historic brick chimneys on the keepers’ houses.

"These grants represent a critical first step in addressing urgent preservation needs at Bakers Island Light Station," said Annie Harris, CEO of Essex Heritage. "With mortar joints deteriorating throughout the lighthouse interior and historic chimneys, we have a race against time to prevent water infiltration that threatens the structural integrity of these irreplaceable structures."

The masonry restoration project, estimated at $30,000, builds upon Essex Heritage's successful restoration of the lighthouse's iron lantern room completed in 2024. The project will be led by Martin J. Nally, a preservation mason with more than three decades of experience who has restored 20 lighthouses for the U.S. Coast Guard.
All work will comply with the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation, using historically appropriate materials and techniques. The project is scheduled to take place during the 2025 construction season, from July to September.

Community Support Needed
To bridge the remaining funding gap, Essex Heritage has launched the "Preserve the Light" campaign, seeking an additional $10,000 in community support. These funds are critical to ensuring the project can be completed during the 2025 construction season, when weather conditions are optimal for masonry work on the island.
"With federal funding for historic preservation increasingly uncertain, community support is essential to complete this urgent work," said Harris. "What requires $30,000 in repairs today could escalate to much more if this isn’t addressed in the immediate future."

Essex Heritage invites the public to join in this preservation effort through donations at www.bakersislandlight.org/preserve-the-light.

Educational Talk
To learn more about the lighthouse's history and the upcoming restoration project, the public is invited to attend "Bakers Island Light Station: Preservation and Perseverance," an educational presentation on Wednesday, June 4, 2025, at 6:00PM at the Manchester-by-the-Sea Museum.

The presentation will feature Essex Heritage CEO, Annie Harris discussing the lighthouse's history and Essex Heritage's decade of stewardship, alongside preservation mason Martin Nally, who will detail the technical aspects of the masonry restoration project. The event is free, but registration is required at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/bakers-island-light-station-preservation-and-perseverance-tickets-1357068019979.

About the Granting Organizations
The United States Lighthouse Society is a national non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation of America's lighthouse heritage through education, research, and restoration. Founded in 1984, the Society provides grants to lighthouse preservation projects across the country, publishes educational materials, and maintains the National Lighthouse Museum.

Preservation Massachusetts is the statewide non-profit historic preservation organization dedicated to preserving the Commonwealth's historic and cultural heritage. Through their partnership with the 1772 Foundation, they provide critical funding for historic properties owned by 501(c)(3) organizations across Massachusetts. The 1772 Foundation works to ensure the safe passage of historic buildings and farmland to future generations, particularly in the Northeast.
About Bakers Island Light Station

Established in 1791, Bakers Island Light Station has guided vessels through Salem Sound for over two centuries. The current lighthouse tower, constructed in 1820, is one of the oldest in the United States. Since 2015, Essex Heritage has provided public access to this historic site through educational programming, guided tours, and overnight stays, welcoming thousands of visitors to experience this isolated piece of New England's maritime history.

About Essex Heritage
Essex National Heritage Commission (Essex Heritage) is a non-profit organization that manages the Essex National Heritage Area. Its mission is to preserve and enhance the historic, cultural, and natural resources of Essex County, Massachusetts. Essex Heritage owns and manages Bakers Island Light Station, which comprises 10 acres on the northwest quadrant of Bakers Island in Salem Sound.