Fenwick Island Light Station Visiting Hours for
Summer 2009
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May 1 to June 30 open 10am to 2pm; Friday, Saturday, Sunday & Monday.
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July 1 to September 30 open daily 10am to 2pm. Closed Wednesdays.
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October 1 to October 12 open 10am to 2pm; Friday, Saturday, Sunday & Monday.
If you require Special Group Tour information please contact Winnie Lewis
150TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION
click on the link to access the anniversary info!
U.S. Lighthouse Society
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We are a participating United States Lighthouse Society “Passport” location!
Get your passport book stamped when you visit!
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Learn more~ The U.S. Lighthouse Society “Passport” program.
AUGUST 1, 2009 ~ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION 150 YEARS!
The New Friends of the Fenwick Island Light Station will celebrate Fenwick Island Light Station’s 150th Anniversary on August 1, 2009! We will celebrate with extended visiting hours and a special party! Join us between 10am to 5pm. (Raindate August 2, 2009)
August 1, 1859
In 1856, the United States Lighthouse Board recommended the construction of a lighthouse to help mariners avoid the shoals off Fenwick Island. Congress agreed with the United States Lighthouse Board authorized the establishment of a lighthouse station on Fenwick Island.The station was completed and the lamp was lit for the first time August 1,1859.
AUGUST 7, 2009 ~NATIONAL LIGHTHOUSE DAY!
The New Friends of the Fenwick Island Light Station will celebrate August 7, 2009, National Lighthouse Day, with extended visiting hours. Join us between 10am to 5pm!
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Origin of National Ligthouse Day
Senator John H. Chafee (Rhode Island) sponsored a joint resolution that was introduced to Congress on April 28, 1988 designating the day of August 7, 1989 as “National Lighthouse Day.” The summary of the resolution stated, “Designates August 7, 1989, as National Lighthouse Day and calls for lighthouse grounds, where feasible, to be open to the public.” The resolution passed the Senate on July 26, 1988 and the House (sponsored by Representative William J. Hughes, New Jersey) on October 21, 1988. President Ronald Reagan signed the Bill into public law (No. 100-622) on November 5, 1988. American Lighthouse Foundation
My husband and I are each members of the US Lighthouse Society- unfortunately when we arrived on Saturday September 5th, the lighthouse was just closed up. (2 p.m.) We were wondering if you would be able to give us a “stamp” for our passports?
By: Lisa Belsky Lukic on September 13, 2009
at 4:36 pm
Hello!
I am currently working on planning the annual Maryland Society of Surveyors convention, which will take place October 16-18 in Ocean City. It is my responsibility to develop the spouse/family portion of the program. We would like to arrange a tour of the lighthouse. Viewing your website, I discovered that the lighthouse closes the weekend prior to the convention; I was hoping to find out if it would be possible to plan a tour for our group on either Friday, October 16 or Saturday, the 17th. Also, can you tell me if the grounds are open after the weekend of the 12th?
Thank you very much for any information you can provide.
By: Tracie Jones on August 4, 2009
at 3:37 pm
Yes, Shawn we are open on Sunday and the hours are 10am to 2pm!
See you in couple weeks, Donna
By: Donna on July 29, 2009
at 1:39 pm
We are planning to be in the area August 16 and would love to see the light house and learn some history on it. Are you open on Sundays?
By: shawn snoberger on July 29, 2009
at 10:19 am
Sam,
Funny you should ask! We are in the process of ordering the new lighthouse stamp this week… we look forward to see you August 1!
Thanks, Donna
By: Donna on July 7, 2009
at 3:48 pm
Hello,
I think it is wonderfull that you are celebrating the 150th anniversary of the lighthouse. We plan to be there August 1st. My question is are you going to have a special 150th Anniversary passport stamp for this event?
LMK
Sam
By: Sam Webster on July 7, 2009
at 7:45 am
Vinny, I’m not 100% sure I can answer this completely, but I do know that liability insurance is must in order to allow people to access the top, and as with all insurances, it is expensive. Right now the State of Delaware does not have this sort of insurance on the lighthouse. The stairway itself is very narrow half-way up, and must be climbed single file, with sort of one way traffic… this could be another obstacle. Remember, these building were built with the intention of only one, at most two, man climbing the stairs at a time. Unfortunately the architects didn’t foresee the popularity of the lighthouses in the future as historical landmarks, and in our case gave us neither a wide stairway for visitors to climb nor space or a parking lot for our visitors’ cars. I suppose if the State receives enough requests they may try and find some way to allow climbing.
By: Donna on July 1, 2009
at 3:28 pm
What will it take for the state to eventually allow the public to go all the way to the top?
By: Vinny on July 1, 2009
at 12:36 pm
Jim, Thanks. I have passed your comment on to our Association President, she will contact you very soon about your suggestions!
By: Donna on June 1, 2009
at 10:51 pm
Eileen, Thank you for your question! The “open hours” refers to the time the main gate is open to the lighthouse grounds. The State, who owns & insures the landmark, only allows our visitors to enter the base of the Lighthouse.
By: Donna on June 1, 2009
at 10:49 pm
When you give the ‘open hours’ does that mean the LH can be climbed or does one ONLY get into the base??? Thanks.
By: Eileen Wukitch on May 30, 2009
at 8:46 pm
Are you aware of any amateur radio groups requesting permission for or planning to operate from the lighthouse on August 1st during your 150th birthday celebration? As a member of the Amateur Radio Lighthouse Society, I see this as a wonderful opportunity to conduct what we call a Special Event Station where we try to make contact with other amateur operators around the country and around the world who share our interest in lighthouses.
By: Jim Elliott on May 20, 2009
at 10:45 am
Our Senior Girl Scout Troop is comming to Delaware in April to do a intrest program on Light Houses. We were wondering if there was anyone that could give us a tour and information about the light house on 4/5/09 after lunch time? Could you please contact me ASAP. Thank you!
By: Barbara Zagurski on March 25, 2009
at 7:02 am
Thank you for your request Allison, watch the mail for info on the lighthouse!
By: Donna on March 23, 2009
at 7:54 pm
Will you please send a pamphlet on your lighthouse to my son? He is doing a report for school.
Andrew Rachels
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Virginia Beach, VA 23451
By: Allison Rachels on March 22, 2009
at 8:37 am
I’m looking Forward In Coming To See The Lighthouse On about May 1. Donna Miller
Roseville,Ohio
By: Donna Miller on February 28, 2009
at 2:46 pm