Terry Rowden is Honored with an ALF Keeper of the Light Award

On May 4, 2025, ALF honored Terry Rowden with a “Keeper of the Light award during the organization’s annual Gala, which was held at the Nonantum Resort in Kennebunkport, Maine. The following tribute was written by Bob Trapani, Jr., ALF Executive Director:

We have all heard the expression, “you can’t go home again.” Though it is true that time can and does change traditions, usages and even the people we once knew, the essence of home still endures for those few who are able to go back.

One such person is Terry Rowden, the American Lighthouse Foundation’s volunteer caretaker on Little River Island in Cutler, Maine. Terry was a U.S. Coast Guard lightkeeper at Little River Light Station from 1968 to 1970. For those two years, the island was his home away from home.

Little did Terry know that forty-five years, later, he would once again be able to call Little River Lighthouse his home away from home. After serving as part of a volunteer crew that helped restore and maintain the historic light station from 2000 to 2014, Terry Rowden became the island’s caretaker in 2015.

From 2015 through 2024, Terry spent his summers living on the island and facilitating the American Lighthouse Foundation’s very popular overnight stay program at Little River. Lest we think that he spent his time in island solitude and leisure, think again. Yes, Terry did take moments to absorb the island’s beauty and serenity, but only after each day’s tasks were carried out in fine fashion.

For the past decade, Terry has welcomed an average of 150 overnight guests annually, not to mention the public who ventures out to the island in boats and kayaks. The overnight guests come from all over the country—and even the world, to bask in the magic of this island paradise. But before you can welcome people, there is much work to be done. Never-ending work!

This includes preparing and cleaning the two-story dwelling on a daily basis, mowing the lawn, maintaining the floats, trails and walkways, removing downed trees, repairing a plethora of odds and ends, painting, and transporting guests to and from the island—all timed by the tides. And as we know, the tide waits for no one!

Most of all, Terry Rowden invested much in the way of time and kindness into making sure that each and every guest had a memorable experience at Little River Light. He would tell them stories, share lighthouse and local history, assemble images and video of their stay and accommodate as many of their needs as possible.

After a decade of service to the American Lighthouse Foundation as the volunteer island caretaker at Little River Light, Terry retired at the end of the 2024 season. What an amazing run it has been for Terry!

Therefore, it gives the American Lighthouse Foundation great pleasure to present Terry Rowden with a 2025 Keeper of the Light award for his above and beyond contributions at Little River Lighthouse. He has set a gold standard example for volunteerism, while ensuring this island paradise remained gleaming for the past ten years. The keeper was indeed able to go back home, and we are all so much better off because he returned!