Looking Back on 2022 – Pomham Rocks Lighthouse

1871 Pomham Rocks Light
(FPRL photo)

In 2004, the Friends of Pomham Rocks Lighthouse set out on a journey to restore the 1871 Pomham Rocks Light on the Providence River in Riverside, Rhode Island. Year after year, much progress has been made with this labor of love – so much so that the grand beacon has now been returned to its days of glory.

And though the lighthouse has been fully restored and its fourth order Fresnel lens has come back home, the Friends of Pomham Rocks Lighthouse know full well that a lighthouse cannot be preserved without constant attention and maintenance. The same holds true with keeping the lighthouse front and center in the community hearts and minds through fun-filled educational activities and public outreach.

The passion and dedication of the Friends of Pomham Rocks Lighthouse was once again on full display in 2022. Here is a review of their amazing efforts…

List compiled by Dennis Tardiff, Chairperson for ALF’s chapter, Friends of Pomham Rocks Lighthouse

Accomplishments:

• 

  FPRL excelled at public outreach once again in 2022.
  (FPRL photo)

  Restoring original interior doors. (One original door was on hand. Other like doors to be procured).

• Reopening lantern room vent (This was done on the recommendation of Kurt Fosberg to cool the lantern room. The vent had been sealed off since the electrification in the mid-1950s. The vent has cooled the lantern room).
• Replicating original lantern room brass hooks for lantern room window curtains.
• Restored one section of original 1871 stone wall.
• 

  One of the biggest FPRL highlights of 2022…taking visitors to Pomham Rocks Light for tours!
  (FPRL photo)

  Replicated original 1901 stairs on Oil House (Using original 1901 prints. Required removal and disposal of a previously installed non historical deck attached to the front of the Oil House).

• Continued work on restoring the cistern (The cistern held water up to a level of about 3 feet and then developed a leak. The leak has been repaired and the cistern will be put back in service in the spring. We are also going to reinstall the north side downspout cistern feed in the spring).
• Ground breaking on new fence for the island (The island is currently surrounded with a green 3′ chain link fence. We have multiple vintage pictures of the original white picket fence. We will replace the chain-link fence with a wood picket fence. The “ground breaking” was establishing a method to secure the support post to rock areas).
• 

  FPRL sponsors fun events like a lighthouse run to get the community involved in their efforts.
  (FPRL photo)

  Removal and disposal of plywood rotting plywood decking that was previously installed over the 1939 dock and ramp.

• Procurement and assembly of 13 Adirondack chairs for use by the tourist visiting the island.
• Conducted 19 tours and 1 charter trip to the lighthouse.
• Launch underwater body maintenance, Engine maintenance, teak maintenance & USCG inspections.

Events:

• 

  The community can count on FPRL taking part in Earth Day – helping keep the shoreline looking great.
  (FPRL photo)

  Earth Day Shore Cleanup – April 10th. In conjunction with personal from the nearby sewage treatment plant

• Second Annual 5k / 10k Pomham Rocks Lighthouse Run- April 23rd
• Riverside, Rhode Island, Memorial Day Parade
• Tours of Pomham Rocks Lighthouse – June through September
• Looffs Art Festival – August 13th
• 

  Nearby communities love seeing Pomham Santa make his annual holiday visit.
  (FPRL photo)

  East Providence Chamber of Commerce’s 16th Annual Touch-A-Truck event – September 24th

• FPRL Annual Meeting featuring performing artist Joseph Smith portraying Augustine Fresnel – November 6th
• Annual popular “Pomham Santa” event – November 26th (First time with new launch)

The Friends of Pomham Rocks Lighthouse are “leaving the light on” for the public at Pomham Rocks Light in more ways than one!
(Photo by Alex Dias)