by Pierce Rafferty, HLFM Director
In recent years several lighthouses in our area have been transferred into private hands by the General Services Administration. These transfers occur under the authority of the National Historic Lighthouse Protection Act of 2000 (NHLPA), legislation designed to convey Federally owned historic light stations to qualified new stewards. The Act states that, “If no steward is identified through this process, the NHLPA authorizes the General Services Administration (GSA) to conduct a public sale of the light station.” In the case of Latimer Reef and Little Gull lights no steward was found and the process led to the sale at auction of these two lighthouses to private bidders.
On June 27, 2013, the GSA will officially announce that the New London Maritime Society, a non-profit organization based in the Custom House on Bank Street in New London, has been chosen to become the new owner and steward of Race Rock Light. We congratulate the New London Maritime Society on their successful application to be stewards for Race Rock Light and we urge all interested parties to support them as they embark on a long-term project to preserve and restore this historic structure and to make it accessible to the public.
The New London Maritime Society has actively collaborated with the Museum on our 2013 Exhibition “Race Rock Light.” We thank executive director Susan Tamulevich and staff for their assistance. Our opening party is June 29, 2013, 5 to 7 p.m. at the HLFM. All are welcome.
