Pomham Rocks Volunteers Restore Original Luster to Lighthouse Interior

Many thanks to Judianne Point, Friends of Pomham Rocks Lighthouse board member and American Lighthouse Foundation 1st Vice-President, for this update on volunteer activities at Pomham Rocks Lighthouse, East Providence, Rhode Island…

Volunteers of the Friends of Pomham Rocks Lighthouse have undertaken the task of restoring the 1871 interior rooms of the lighthouse back to their original paint colors. After the completion of the interior restoration in 2018, the house had fresh, neutral coats of paint covering its walls and looked amazing for its public debut. The docents noticed that several tourists would always ask, “Are these the original colors?” And since the colors were not original – with the exception of the blue in the parlor where the 4th-Order Fresnel lens is now displayed – FPRL’s Vice-Chair and Museum Coordinator, Alex Dias, decided to do something about it.

After extensive research and microscopic examination of the interior wall plaster in each room, Alex came up with a list of original Victorian colors found on the first layer of paint throughout the lighthouse. After a few trips to the paint store to obtain an exact match, Alex, along with FPRL chairperson Dennis Tardiff, purchased the necessary paint and supplies – and from there, the volunteers got to work.

Many thanks to the following for their assistance in restoring original color to Pomham Rocks Lighthouse: Adam Dias, Nikki Tiernan, Rick Lux, Gary Point, Judianne Point, and of course Alex and Dennis. This project will be completed before the start of the 2024 tour season in June. Tourists will be now be greeted by an historically accurate palette that will give this Victorian treasure a whole new (or old?) complexion!

And speaking of tours, our U.S. Coast Guard certified 26′ passenger launch Lady Pomham II was recently pulled from the water at a local marina in preparation for its biennial U.S. Coast Guard inspection. It passed with flying colors, and volunteers also took advantage of its dry dock by performing underwater body maintenance that included replacement of the sacrificial anodes and applying a new coat of anti-fouling paint. Even all the teak wood was refinished by volunteers to make her look good as new.

Our secondary utility boat, Lil’ Pomham, a 1977 18′ boat was deemed to be no longer seaworthy by Board member Charlie Gruetzner, a retired marine surveyor. After months of research and perseverance, Charlie found an excellent 2008 18′ replacement boat with motor that will most definitely provide many years of use.

And one last note: to prove his diligence and watchfulness, our former Coast Guard keeper, Dennis Tardiff, texted us while he was visiting Europe in April because he noticed on the security camera that our flag was on the ground. It turns out that the halyard and pulley had broken, so Dennis and Board member Rick Lux brought representatives from a local flagpole company out to the island shortly after Dennis’ return home to install a new halyard and pulley. Semper Paratus!

The Friends of Pomham Rocks Lighthouse are a chapter of the American Lighthouse Foundation. To learn more about the Friends of Pomham Rocks Lighthouse, visit: pomhamrockslighthouse.org/