SALEM, MA – July 28, 2025 – The Essex National Heritage Commission (Essex Heritage) has successfully completed the critical masonry restoration project at Bakers Island Light Station, one of the oldest lighthouses in the nation. The $30,000 project, made possible through a combination of foundation grants and community support, has preserved the structural integrity of the historic 1820 lighthouse tower and keepers’ houses for future generations.
The restoration work, which took place throughout the summer construction season, included comprehensive repointing of the lighthouse’s brick masonry interior and restoration of three historic brick chimneys on the keepers’ houses. The project was led by Martin J. Nally, a preservation mason with over 31 years of experience who has restored 20 lighthouses for the U.S. Coast Guard, working alongside mason Matthew Holland.
“We met our fundraising goal! Thank you for your support,” said Annie Harris, CEO of Essex Heritage. “We are very excited to share that we met our community fundraising goal through our ‘Preserve the Light’ campaign. The funds directly supported the repointing of interior brickwork throughout our 1820 lighthouse tower, affectionately known as ‘Pa Baker’, which is lined with brick and has vaulted ceilings.”
Funding Success Through Community and Foundation Support
The restoration project was made possible through generous support from multiple sources:
- $2,500 from the United States Lighthouse Society for lighthouse tower repointing
- $5,000 from Preservation Massachusetts in collaboration with the 1772 Foundation for chimney restoration
- $5,000 from New England Lighthouse Lovers, Inc.
- $10,000 raised through the community “Preserve the Light” campaign
- Additional funds from Essex Heritage to complete the $30,000 project
Preserving Historic Craftsmanship
“They don’t make them like this anymore,” enthused Matt Holland, the mason working with Marty Nally to repair the interior of the lighthouse. Built in 1820-21, the stone tower interior is lined in brick with vaulted ceilings. Matt worked on the island since the beginning of July, and on a recent staff visit, he pointed out the quality of the masonry interior with its curved brick walls and granite steps. “Nobody takes the time to do this anymore,” he said, showing how the brick courses align perfectly with the granite steps.
The historic lighthouse had urgently needed restoration for some time, as the old mortar had turned to powder in many places throughout the interior. Thanks to the generosity of donors and foundations, the repointing and repairs are now completed, with only a finish coat remaining to be applied over the interior before the end of the season.
All work was completed in compliance with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation, using historically appropriate materials and techniques to preserve the lighthouse’s historic character.
Public Tour Opportunity
On Sunday, August 24, mason Matt Holland will return to Bakers Island Light to lead a special tour of the restoration work completed at the lighthouse. This unique opportunity will allow visitors to see the preserved craftsmanship up close and learn about the specialized techniques used in the project. Tickets are limited to 18 passengers and can be purchased at https://www.bakersislandlight.org/visit/.
Building on Previous Success
The masonry restoration project builds upon Essex Heritage’s successful restoration of the lighthouse’s iron lantern room completed in 2024, demonstrating the organization’s ongoing commitment to preserving this maritime landmark.
“This project represents the critical importance of community support in historic preservation,” said Harris. “With federal funding for historic preservation increasingly uncertain, the generous response from our community and foundation partners made it possible to address these urgent preservation needs before they escalated into much more costly repairs.”
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.
Media Contact:
Ryan Conary
Essex National Heritage Commission
978-740-0444
ryanc@essexheritage.org
www.essexheritage.org