Fundraising Effort begins to Restore Stage Island Monument
Story by Liz Gotthelf, Publisher • Saco Bay News • August 19, 2025
Approximately 100 people gathered at the Biddeford Historical Society’s Meetinghouse on 8/18/25 to learn about restoration plans for the Stage Island Monument and to celebrate the historic site’s 200th anniversary.
(Photo by Cy Cyr)
Stage Island Monument has stood proudly in Saco Bay for 200 years, and a local effort is in place to ensure it will stand at least another 200 more.
Stage Island is located off the coast of Biddeford, about a mile from Wood Island. On the island is the Stage Island Monument, a navigational tool constructed in 1825. The 60-foot-high stone tower was built as a day beacon – it does not light up like a lighthouse, and was a visual landmark that could be seen during the day, marking the northern entry into Wood Island Harbor.
About 100 people gathered at the former church to celebrate Stage Island Monument’s 200th birthday. The evening included a slide show, discussion, birthday cake and party hats.
To read the full story, clink on the Saco Bay News website link below!
https://sacobaynews.com/fundraising-effort-begins-to-restore-stage-island-monument.htm
Stage Island Monument’s birthday cake.
(Photo by Ann-Marie Trapani)
Stage Island Monument party hats!
(Photo by Ann-Marie Trapani)
Attendees to the Stage Island Monument celebration had fun donning party hats made to look like the historic navigational aid.
(Photo by Ann-Marie Trapani)
Even pets got in on the fun during the Stage Island Monument’s 200th anniversary celebration!
(Photo by Cy Cyr)
Approximately 100 people attended the Stage Island Monument’s 200th anniversary celebration at the Biddeford Historic Society’s Meetinghouse on August 18, 2025.
(Photo by Ann-Marie Trapani)
Richard Parsons, a wonderful maritime author and Historian for the Friends of Wood Island Lighthouse, presented a program on the history of Stage Island Monument.
(Photo by Cy Cyr)
Peter McPheeters, who has served in a number of community leadership positions over the years and is now helping spearhead efforts to restore Stage Island Monument, talked with attendees about the condition of the historic site and the need to come together on its behalf.
(Photo by Cy Cyr)
Bob Trapani, Jr., Executive Director for the American Lighthouse Foundation, talked with attendees about ALF’s role in the Stage Island Monument restoration effort and how the community can make a real difference with their financial support by acting today.
(Photo by Ann-Marie Trapani)
The 1825 Stage Island Monument in Biddeford Pool, Maine, is owned by the United States Coast Guard and has been licensed to the nonprofit American Lighthouse Foundation for the purpose of facilitating much-needed restoration work on the historic daybeacon.
(Photo by Bob Trapani, Jr.)
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