White Island Lighthouse Needs Your Help!
White Island Lighthouse, N.H.
The Lighthouse Kids - Helping Save A Piece of History
White Island Lighthouse Station is a historical landmark from New England's past and a pillar of light protecting northeastern mariners. It's also New Hampshire's only offshore lighthouse. Did you know that this magnificent white brick tower has recently been repaired, but the lighthouse station is still in grave danger?
Mission of Lighthouse Kids Incorporated
Lighthouse Kids Incorporated is a group of Seacoast New Hampshire students, alumni, interested members of the community and the organization's Board of Directors. Together we share a mission to save and maintain the White Island Lighthouse Station at the Isles of Shoals through service learning projects and volunteer efforts. The goal of Lighthouse Kids' is to return White Island in Rye, N.H. to the majestic beauty it was known for at the turn of the 19th century.
We plan to do this by fundraising, raising awareness and creating partnerships with all parties interested in saving and maintaining White Island Light Station.
Lighthouse Kids strives to increase opportunities for the public to participate in White Island Lighthouse preservation and to expand public access, enabling all to experience the wonder of the island. We would like to see White Island Station's blessings secured for future generations.
White Island Lighthouse Station is a historical landmark from New England's past and a pillar of light protecting northeastern mariners. It's also New Hampshire's only offshore lighthouse. Did you know that this magnificent white brick tower has recently been repaired, but the lighthouse station is still in grave danger?
Mission of Lighthouse Kids Incorporated
Lighthouse Kids Incorporated is a group of Seacoast New Hampshire students, alumni, interested members of the community and the organization's Board of Directors. Together we share a mission to save and maintain the White Island Lighthouse Station at the Isles of Shoals through service learning projects and volunteer efforts. The goal of Lighthouse Kids' is to return White Island in Rye, N.H. to the majestic beauty it was known for at the turn of the 19th century.
We plan to do this by fundraising, raising awareness and creating partnerships with all parties interested in saving and maintaining White Island Light Station.
Lighthouse Kids strives to increase opportunities for the public to participate in White Island Lighthouse preservation and to expand public access, enabling all to experience the wonder of the island. We would like to see White Island Station's blessings secured for future generations.
Latest news: Iconic walkway returns!
A helicopter was used to transport construction materials to the site.
After withstanding the elements for almost 170 years, in April 2007 a fierce ocean storm washed away the covered walkway on White Island. Rebuilt stronger than ever in September/October 2012, the covered walkway can once again be seen by driving New Hampshire’s seacoast along Route 1-A. A few hours before sunset, from North Hampton to Rye Harbor the view is awe inspiring, as the late afternoon sun’s rays light up the newly constructed covered walkway!
Almost immediately following the walkway’s destruction, State Architect Tom Mansfield began the design for a new walkway that would replicate the 1838 historical structure. The design was approved by state historians. In 2009 surveyors brought a global positioning (GPS) transit out to the islands. First measurements were taken; next Ricci Construction of Portsmouth New Hampshire was hired to pour cement footings for the new walkway. FEMA funds were secured to rebuild the walkway.
The wheels of government turn slowly, but they do turn. In the spring of 2012 the walkway project went out for bid. Jeff Thurston Timber Framers of Concord New Hampshire was hired for the construction project. Jeff’s approach to this monumental project was innovative to say the least. The timber framing was completed in his shop on the mainland. The preconstructed frames were brought to the island by Riverside Marine’s largest barge. A helicopter was hired to move frames from barge to island. The helicopter hovered over the specific footings where the frame was to be placed. As each frame was lowered, construction workers levered it into place. Just like working on a jigsaw puzzle, the frame for the walkway went together that day as Lighthouse Kids and others watched in awe! Then for more than a month the construction team lived on White Island. They got up with the sun, worked at least 10 hour days and the project was completed on time. The construction is magnificent. The walkway is stronger than it’s ever been!
White Island at the Isles of Shoals is a historically significant piece of New Hampshire’s maritime history. The 1860 tower is a true architectural gem. Preserving the property is essential to maintaining our heritage. New Hampshire no longer has The Old Man of the Mountain, but we still have White Island Lighthouse as a symbol for our state. In fact, the greeting to all who stop at the Visitors Center on Route I-95 in Seabrook is a large granite monument embossed with a beautiful etching of none other than White Island Lighthouse Station.
Lighthouse Kids works in partnership with the State of New Hampshire to save and maintain New Hampshire’s only offshore lighthouse. Lighthouse Kids is proud to administer the stewardship program. More information about White Island, Lighthouse Kids and the Stewardship Program can be found at www.lighthousekids.org
Almost immediately following the walkway’s destruction, State Architect Tom Mansfield began the design for a new walkway that would replicate the 1838 historical structure. The design was approved by state historians. In 2009 surveyors brought a global positioning (GPS) transit out to the islands. First measurements were taken; next Ricci Construction of Portsmouth New Hampshire was hired to pour cement footings for the new walkway. FEMA funds were secured to rebuild the walkway.
The wheels of government turn slowly, but they do turn. In the spring of 2012 the walkway project went out for bid. Jeff Thurston Timber Framers of Concord New Hampshire was hired for the construction project. Jeff’s approach to this monumental project was innovative to say the least. The timber framing was completed in his shop on the mainland. The preconstructed frames were brought to the island by Riverside Marine’s largest barge. A helicopter was hired to move frames from barge to island. The helicopter hovered over the specific footings where the frame was to be placed. As each frame was lowered, construction workers levered it into place. Just like working on a jigsaw puzzle, the frame for the walkway went together that day as Lighthouse Kids and others watched in awe! Then for more than a month the construction team lived on White Island. They got up with the sun, worked at least 10 hour days and the project was completed on time. The construction is magnificent. The walkway is stronger than it’s ever been!
White Island at the Isles of Shoals is a historically significant piece of New Hampshire’s maritime history. The 1860 tower is a true architectural gem. Preserving the property is essential to maintaining our heritage. New Hampshire no longer has The Old Man of the Mountain, but we still have White Island Lighthouse as a symbol for our state. In fact, the greeting to all who stop at the Visitors Center on Route I-95 in Seabrook is a large granite monument embossed with a beautiful etching of none other than White Island Lighthouse Station.
Lighthouse Kids works in partnership with the State of New Hampshire to save and maintain New Hampshire’s only offshore lighthouse. Lighthouse Kids is proud to administer the stewardship program. More information about White Island, Lighthouse Kids and the Stewardship Program can be found at www.lighthousekids.org
