Investigating Maine’s lighthouses

American Lighthouse Foundation

If your interest runs in the direction of lighthouse preservation, then you’ll want to visit the ALF. The organization has devoted its energy and resources to the restoration of lighthouses along the New England coast. It provides stewardship for 14 lighthouses and offers the rehabilitation story for each lighthouse and links to related articles.

New England Lighthouses: A Virtual Guide

An interactive map featuring all lighthouses in Maine will greet you at the top of the page when you follow this link. Click on any lighthouse location and you will be guided to a resource that will offer more specific investigations that include photographs, history and how to plan a visit.

Wood Island Lighthouse

Since its authorization in 1806, the Wood Island Lighthouse in Biddeford Pool has cast its beacon over 200 years of maritime history. Its archival records tell the dramatic tales of wrecks, rescues, murders, suicides and drownings as well as the more commonplace stories of lighthouse keepers who routinely led their life on an isolated island in the 19th and 20th centuries.

Light Hearted

Jeremy D’Entremont, one of New England’s foremost lighthouse authorities, is the host for nearly 200 podcast episodes that focus on lighthouse history, personalities, organizations and institutions. This site not only allows the visitor to use search tools but also includes a tool that lets the user clip and save a segment of the interview to review later or use in a presentation.

The Lighthouses of Maine

In addition to hosting his podcast, Jeremy D’Entremont has written more than 20 books and hundreds of articles on New England marine history. This volume devotes a separate chapter to each of 60 lighthouses located along the coast of Maine, from the Isle of Shoals to West Quoddy.

United States Lighthouse Society

This is the premier site to begin or extend your investigation into Maine’s lighthouses. Tabs at the top of the page will lead you to a wealth of resources that include the digital archives in the Candace Clifford Research Catalog. If you’re an educator, click on the “Education” tab for ideas that will appeal to all age and interest groups. Or, if you’re interested in including a lighthouse visit in your vacation plans, both the “Fun” and “Tours” tabs offer an abundance of possibilities.

Lighthouse Digest Archives

Since 1992, Lighthouse Digest has offered lighthouse enthusiasts a place to share their research and experiences. The online articles located at this site are available to all, and if your interests are more specific, there is a search engine that will guide you to the appropriate commentaries.