The recent chimney restoration at the 1871 Pomham Rocks Lighthouse, Riverside, Rhode Island, has been completed by the Friends of Pomham Rocks Lighthouse, a chapter of the American Lighthouse Foundation.
(Photo by Alex Dias)
By Louise Paiva, Friends of Pomham Rocks Lighthouse
In recent weeks, walkers and cyclists on the East Bay Bike Path in Riverside, Rhode Island, have been curious about the scaffolding easily visible on the east side of Pomham Rocks Lighthouse, facing the path. It was in place for restoration of the chimney, which has just been completed. Thanks to community support, the chimney has been rebuilt to withstand the effects of climate change, and restored to its original design.
In recent years, heavy rains had caused damage to the basement level, and debris had entered the museum’s Pomham Room, where The lighthouse’s original Fresnel lens is displayed. The Friends of Pomham Rocks Lighthouse is grateful for grants from charitable foundations, including The 1772 Foundation in cooperation with Preserve/RI, as well as the Madden Fund and the Felicia Fund. Additional funding was raised through a Business/Community Fund Drive and a SUNsational Raffle.
Using historic drawings and vintage photographs of the original 1871 chimney construction, James Berry of JWB Masonry Construction, Inc. recreates the Victorian-era chimney that was original to the Lighthouse.
(Photo by Alex Dias)
The new chimney is watertight and will protect the museum’s exhibits. The chimney replaces the previous one, built in 2005, when exterior restoration of the lighthouse was just beginning. At that time, little was known of the structural design of the chimney when the lighthouse was originally built in 1871. But since then, research uncovered vintage photographs and drawings of the original chimney design. These enabled masons from JWB Masonry Construction, Inc. of Rumford, RI, to recreate the Victorian-era look of the original chimney to complement the Victorian style of the house.
“It was extremely satisfying to watch the chimney come down” noted Friends of Pomham Rocks Lighthouse President Alex Dias, “and then be ‘reborn’ into its Victorian form with its original 1871 details.” Friends of Pomham Rocks Lighthouse thanks the businesses, organizations, individuals and foundations that helped restore the chimney with historical accuracy.
The Friends of Pomham Rocks Lighthouse is a chapter of the American Lighthouse Foundation. To learn more about the efforts of the Friends of Pomham Rocks Lighthouse, visit: pomhamrockslighthouse.org
Masons James Berry, Jr., left, and Nick Berry apply the cap to Pomham Rocks Lighthouse’s restored chimney, now protecting the interior of the century-and-a-half-year-old light station.
(Photo by Alex Dias)
Friends of Pomham Rocks Lighthouse President Alex Dias inspects the progress on the historic chimney restoration.
(FPRL photo)
A view of the historically accurate / restored chimney atop the 1871 Pomham Rocks Lighthouse in Riverside, Rhode Island.
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