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Maine has 68 lighthouses, 14 of which are here in Knox County. Lighthouses are art, history, and culture—each unique in its design, each with its own tale to tell of shipwrecks, heoric rescues, romantic legends and ghosts. Built in the 1800s by some of America's foremost architect and engineers, lighthouse technology posed major challenges due to the rocky, wave-swept ledges and shifting sands. Automation has left many empty light keeper's houses prey to vandalism and neglect. We are fortunate that several of our lighthouses in the Midcoast have been preserved as museums.
The City of Rockland has leased the Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse to The Friends of the Rockland Breakwater. This group is restoring this wonderful lighthouse, and it will soon be an educational museum. The Friends group has completed extensive work on the lighthouse over the past two years, including cleaning the building of all hazardous waste and lead paint. A float and ramp were added this year for the convenience of people that cannot walk the 7/8-mile breakwater.
Another generous donation in 2003 was a wooden bench placed on the boat house, donated in part by Weatherend Estate Furniture; it makes a lovely place to sit and watch people and the busy harbor. The Friends host open houses from May to October on the weekends. They are always seeking volunteers, so please join them in their endeavors. For more information, contact The Friends of The Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse, P.O. Box 741, Rockland ME 04841; call Dot Black at 207-785-4609; or send email to brkwater@midcoast.com.
During your visit, be sure to visit the Maine's Lighthouse Museum in Rockland, which houses the largest collection of lighthouse equipment, information, and memoribilia in the United States.
The Rockland area is home to the only Knox County mainland lighthouses accessible by car and foot.
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