By Michelle Shaw, Chairperson for ALF’s chapter, Friends of Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouses
FPHL welcomed visitors from all over the country during tours of the lighthouse.
(FPHL photo)
The 2022 season at Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouse was very successful. The Friends of Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouses (FPHL) hosted scheduled private tours once again this year on Friday evenings and Sunday afternoons, and in the process, welcomed visitors from all over the country.
Early in spring 2022 volunteers spent time at the lighthouse doing some much-needed cleaning and painting to prepare for the tour season. We repainted the iron stairs in the tower, the deck in the watch room, and the storage shed, which houses our gift shop. We also contracted maintenance work to be carried out on the station’s walkway, which repaired damage caused by an early winter storm.
In June FPHL hosted the chapter’s annual fundraising event at the Lions Club in Kittery, Maine. This is always a fun day with entertainment, food, and lots of lighthouse lovers. In addition, we hosted a couple of weddings at the lighthouse this season. What better place to be married?!
Lighthouse weddings are the best!
(FPHL photo)
FPHL also welcomed family, friends, and volunteers to the lighthouse to watch the Tall Ships make their way into Portsmouth during The Parade of Sails in August. In October FPHL welcomed visitors for a private ghost investigation event to close out our season.
And finally, after Thanksgiving, volunteers gathered to decorate the light tower for the holidays and to welcome the Friends of Flying Santa as the Jolly Fella and his crew flew into Coast Guard Station Portsmouth Harbor. It was a great way to cap-off a successful year at Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouse!
The tall ship “Kalmar Nyckel” sailing into Portsmouth Harbor during the 2022 Sail Portsmouth Maritime Celebration. Whaleback Light, seen on the right, is also under the care of FPHL.
(FPHL photo)
