and preserve the state’s historic
lights, but we cannot do it alone. This is why Maine Preservation’s donation
is so important – it demonstrates a commitment to that call to action, which
is so vital to helping an organization like ALF when we need it most.”
In light of Harrison’s comments, it becomes apparent why donations like the
$500 grant from Maine Preservation are so vital for a historic light
station
like Little River. The very thing that makes Little River so special – its
pristine and isolate location at the mouth of the river leading to the
picturesque fishing village of Cutler Harbor in Downeast Maine, is also what
poses the biggest challenge at the site. Though the American Lighthouse
Foundation has been successful to date in saving this historic treasure for
future generations, the challenges stemming from a scant population in the
Washington County region and a depressed local economy previously offered
very little hope for the beacon if not for the dedicated efforts of our
organization.
Five years of hard work has allowed ALF to pull Little River Light Station
back from the brink of being lost – and now there is light at the end of the
tunnel as we head into what is hoped to be the final phase of restoration in
2006. But we haven’t crossed that finish line just yet. When considering
even the most standard of activities for a restoration project, an offshore
location like Little River can turn the routine into quite a challenge.
When you r home needs services like a plumber, you can usually make a phone
call and expect to have someone show up within a few days. For a place like
Little River Light Station, the exact opposite is true. The combination of
the lack of tradesmen readily available in the surrounding Cutler area and
its remoteness does not make scheduling simple work like plumbing an easy
task at all.
Recently, a professional plumber agreed to work at Little River here in June
2006 – and it is an opportunity ALF can ill-afford to lose. As many know
from similar restoration projects, the installation of new plumbing fixtures
inside the keeper’s house will open up countless opportunities for
education, marine science research and of course, comfortable lighthouse
tours. Yet before we can enjoy such opportunities, ALF must meet the
challenge at hand in funding this critical project.
ALF discovered $3,500 was required within a two-week time period at the
beginning of June to pay for this all-important work or else risk losing
another year until we could complete the project. As you can imagine,
rescheduling the plumbing work was not an option, for it could very well
have been another year before a plumber would agree to perform the work
again. In light of this urgent situation, the American Lighthouse Foundation
made an appeal to its membership and friends. It was very inspirational to
see our fellow lighthouse preservationists – including Maine Preservation,
respond in such fine fashion.
“Lighthouse preservation is an endeavor that contains both seen and unseen
challenges, and is a journey that spawns a wide range of emotions along the
way,” said Bob Trapani, executive director for the American Lighthouse
Foundation. “When the recent funding challenge arose for the American
Lighthouse Foundation to pay for a critical plumbing installation at Little
River Light Station, the kindness of Maine Preservation and many other
members and friends of ALF came shining through to help transform a
financial concern into an inspiring success story of fellow preservationists
banding together in a time of urgent need.”
In addition to Maine Preservation’s donation, the Friends of Pemaquid Point
Lighthouse also made a check presentation of $500 during the American
Lighthouse Foundation’s benefit dinner in Rockland on June 17th. Please see
this story at:
FPPL Shows its Team Spirit by Helping Little River
To learn more about Maine Preservation, visit:
www.Maine Preservation.org
