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Event
Boats to Fishers Island Benefit Film Premiere: The History of Race Rock Lighthouse
The New London Maritime Society has leased a boat to bring people wishing to attend the Race Rock benefit event on Fishers Island. The boat leaves New London at 1:45 PM. We also have return tickets on the 7 PM Fishers Island ferry.
The boat leaves the floating dock behind the New London Railroad station at 1:45 PM. It is a 45 minute ride out to Fishers Island in an open boat -- we are leasing a water taxi. You then will be transported by car to the Fishers Island Movie Theater, which is about one mile away.
The benefit, which is free, starts at 4 PM.
We return on the 7 PM Fishers Island Ferry and should be back in New London by 8 PM.
Here, below, are some details about the event.
The H.L. Ferguson Museum invites you to the premiere of The History of Race Rock Light
This 45-minute video directed by Marisela La Grave and Pierce Rafferty chronicles the remarkable story of how a lighthouse came to be erected in the 1870s on a dangerous submerged ledge amidst some of the most unpredictable and swiftest moving tides on the East Coast.
Date: Tuesday, July 26, 2022
Time: 4 p.m.
Place: Fishers Island Theater
This is a live event only!
Admission to the film premiere is free and we will be Passing The Hat
for the benefit of the Race Rock Lighthouse preservation.
F.I. Oyster and Champagne Reception immediately following
This event is a benefit for the New London Maritime Societys restoration and preservation plan for Race Rock Light.
Here, below, is the press release.
Museum Movie Premiere: The History of Race Rock Lighthouse
Fishers Islands Ferguson Museum will host a Film Premier to Benefit Race Rock Light
New London, CT-- On Tuesday, July 26 at 4 PM, Fishers Islands Ferguson Museum will host a Benefit Film Premier: The History of Race Rock Light. This 45-minute video directed by Pierce Rafferty and Marisela La Grave chronicles the remarkable story of how a lighthouse came to be erected in 1878 on a dangerous submerged ledge amidst some of the most unpredictable and swiftest moving tides on the East Coast. This free event will be held at the Fishers Island Movie Theater, with a reception immediately following. It is a benefit to launch the New London Maritime Societys restoration campaign for Race Rock Light. Says New London Maritime Society executive director Susan Tamulevich, 'Back in 2011 as director of the Henry L. Ferguson Museum, Pierce Rafferty bolstered our application for stewardship of the lighthouse by creating an exhibition about Race Rock that was full of surprises and staggering facts. Now, working with Marisela La Grave, he has put the exhibition on film. The New London Maritime Society couldn't be happier to see that compelling work given a new life.'
Race Rock lighthouse is a two and a half story, Gothic Revival style, granite masonry keepers dwelling with a three and a half story tower. The 67-foot high tower has an octagonal cast iron lantern and gallery surrounded by a wrought iron railing. There are brick-lined rooms in the basement and dwelling.
Building Race Rock Light was a feat of engineering bravery directed over seven years by New Londons own Captain T. A. Scott. For 144 years, Race Rocks red lantern light and foghorn have guided mariners through the roiling currents at the Race.
In 2013 Race Rock Light Station was entrusted to the New London Maritime Society (NLMS) by the federal government through the National Lighthouse Preservation Act. Immediately upon receiving the lighthouse, NLMS went to work sealing all broken windows, cleaning the interior, and carefully removing the peeling paint from the walls. Two simple brick fireplaces were discovered beneath the wallboard. The first public visits to the lighthouse were held in 2017.
In 2018, the Maritime Society launched an initiative to raise $11,000 for an architectural assessment and restoration plan for the lighthouse. Walter Sedovic & Jill H. Gotthelf of Walter Sedovic Architects, were selected. Previously the firm did the restoration assessments for both Block Island lighthouses and for Faulkners Light off Guilford, CT. They noted that Race Rock Light remains in extraordinary condition, in large part due to its construction technology which was decades ahead of its time. The architects will be at the July 26 event.
Earlier this year, NLMS applied for a sizable grant to replace the railing on the perimeter of the foundation. The grant, if received, should also allow for re-pointing the masonry on the foundation drum to begin in summer 2023.
A great deal remains to be done. Once the property has been safely prepared as a construction site, it must be stabilized before final restoration work can begin. Initially, a floating dock facility of sufficient size to offload construction materials will be installed. Necessary stabilization projects include sealing the perimeter from rainwater that is intruding through open masonry joints; replacing the gutters and flashing systems associated with the roof, walls, towers, and chimneys; weatherproofing the lantern and lantern tower; and either restoring an electric power cable to Race Rock Light from Fishers Island or increasing the solar array to prevent the structure from freezing during winter months.
The event is part of the Maritime Society's Lighthouse Summer. This season, the New London Maritime Society (NLMS) wants everyone back visiting inside the three historic beacons just off our shore, which are owned by NLMS. New London Maritime Society is dedicating their efforts in 2022 to increased public access and lighthouse preservation. In addition to Race Rock (1878), the Maritime Society also owns New London Harbor Lighthouse (1760) and New London Ledge Light (1909)all active aids to navigation. Together these are the three historic beacons leading from the ocean to New London harbor.
Fishers Island Movie Theater is located at 501 Whistler Ave, Fishers Island, NY.
New London Maritime Society will post information about transportation from New London to the event on Fishers Island on their website: nlmaritimesociety.org.
Links to Lighthouse Summer events can be found at nlmaritimesociety.org.
Race Rock benefit: https://fergusonmuseum.org/event/benefit-premiere-the-history-of-race-rock-light/
photo by Gail Cypherd, Sunset photo: Mark Bigelow
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In 1983 the New London Maritime Society was formed by citizens who stopped an impending federal sale to keep NL's US Custom House intact and accessible. Today, we run a local maritime history museum, provide a free education program in NL Public Schools, and preserve the custom house and three area lighthouses.
The Custom House Maritime Museum / New London Maritime Society is a 501(c)3 charitable organization.
The Mission of the New London Maritime Society (NLMS) is to protect and preserve New London's U.S. Custom House, three area lighthouses, and Long Island Sound, and to promote, interpret, and celebrate the maritime life & deep history of the port of New London and the surrounding region through museum exhibitions, educational programs, and preservation initiatives.
New London Maritime Society - local friendly authentic
Telling the stories of New London's waterfront
& preserving four historic maritime sites
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Locationat floating dock by City Pier, on Waterfront Park, behind NL Railroad Station (View)
#1 Waterfront Park
New London, CT 06320
United States
Categories
| Minimum Age: 8 |
| Kid Friendly: Yes! |
| Dog Friendly: No |
| Non-Smoking: Yes! |
| Wheelchair Accessible: No |
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Contact
Accessibility
The water taxi is not handicap accessible.
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