Troll Builders Visit Pomham Rocks Lighthouse

By Louise Paiva, FPRL Board Member

East Providence recently joined the worldwide Troll Trail of larger-than-life wooden figures hidden in natural settings. After weeks of creating Mrs. Skipper on the East Providence shore, the three builders of the giant troll sculpture enjoyed a welcomed break and tour of Pomham Rocks Lighthouse.

Members of the Friends of Pomham Rocks Lighthouse (FPRL) Board of Directors hosted staff members of the Blackstone Valley Tourism Council and the troll builders in August 2025, as the completion of the project drew near. Rhode Island now has five trolls, with two located in Charlestown’s Ninigret Park, one in North Kingston’s Ryan Park and one in Richmond’s Arcadia Management Area. The trolls were designed by Danish artist Thomas Dambo. An advocate for nature, his structures are fashioned from discarded and recycled wood. In the last ten years, he has installed more than 100 of the whimsical creatures all over the world on five continents, spreading his message of sustainability and stewardship.

The builders had been staying in an Airbnb in Riverside which provided a view of Pomham Rocks Lighthouse. Laura McNamara of the Tourism Council, and a founding member of FPRL, reached out to FPRL to request a special tour. One of the builders, Scott, from Texas, said he loved staying in a house overlooking the water. “I could look out the window and see the lighthouse every day. What is better than that?” he asked. The anticipation of actually going inside the lighthouse was high, and it delivered, he noted. It also sparked his interest in lighthouses and he said he’ll be visiting more of them as he travels because of this experience. Scott was glad to learn about East Providence’s efforts to reclaim the shoreline and beaches and stressed the Importance of restoring and protecting the environment.

Hailing from California, another builder, Raven, enjoyed the tour of the cistern most. Water from the lighthouse roof is directed through gutters to two downspouts into pipes in the cellar that lead to a waterproof brick room that holds more than 4000 gallons of water. The cistern served as the only water supply for the lightkeeper and his family. In a previous job, Raven had experience in building rain water systems. “It’s great how you’ve saved and brought back to life a piece of history,” he said, “so that people can see how things were done before.”

Lead builder, Sebastian, a native of Puerto Rico, was interested in the structure of Pomham Rocks Lighthouse. As a builder, he understood the effort that went into making it. Sebastian was intrigued with photos in a notebook in the kitchen that show interior of the lighthouse before restoration. He applauded the Friends for restoring and preserving the historic structure and serving as stewards of history. He was impressed with the Fresnel lens and brass artifacts throughout the museum that brought the past to life. “It is so cool to be in this house on top of a rock,” he stated.

The giant female troll, named Mrs. Skipper, is located about 1.5 miles north of Pomham Rocks, on a rocky shoreline off the East Bay Bike Path. Smiling from ear to ear, she carries a red boat above her head and looks ready to launch it in the Providence River. Prior to the lighthouse tour, the group was brought by boat to the site, so that they could see their creation from the water. The three builders of the East Providence troll pointed out the parallel in what they do with the building of the lighthouse. As builders, they take pride in their work. Like Pomham Rocks, their structures are sometimes built upon rocks or uneven terrain, making it a challenge to construct something that is a work of art. And as the trolls demonstrate the art of using reclaimed materials to educate future generations, restoration and preservation of Pomham Rocks Lighthouse serves to reclaim the maritime history of the past.

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