Mystic Seaport Lighthouse

History of the Mystic Seaport Lighthouse

Posted/Updated by Bryan Penberthy on 2012-05-16.

The banks of the Mystic River have long been a shipbuilding powerhouse dating back to the 1600s and continuing on for more than 200 years. The industrial revolution had ushered in changes to the manufacturing process introducing mass production. This led to wide proliferation of the steam engine, which directly impacted Mystic's wooden shipbuilding industry.

In December of 1929, three residents championed the cause to keep Mystic's past alive by creating the Marine Historical Association. What started out as one-building quickly ballooned into an entire seaport complete with historic buildings and ships.

The lighthouse featured at Mystic Seaport is a replica of the Brant Point Lighthouse in Massachusetts. It was constructed in 1966 and although it was never an official aid to navigation, the U.S. Coast Guard has loaned a fourth order Fresnel to the Seaport for placement in the tower.

Today, the base of the tower features an exhibit on lighthouse history called Sentinels of the Sea. This exhibit covers the diversity, history, and importance of the country's lighthouses and the keepers.

For more information on this amazing museum or to plan your visit, please visit www.mysticseaport.org.

Reference:

1. The Lighthouses of Connecticut, Jeremy D'Entremont, 2005.
2. Mystic Seaport website.

Directions: From I-95, get off at exit 90 (Route 27). Follow Route 27 south about one mile. Mystic Seaport will be on your right hand side.

Access: The lighthouse sits on the grounds of The Mystic Seaport. The grounds and tower are open.

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