The New England Lighthouse Lovers recently got to climb to the top of Portland Head Light thanks to a special Coast Guard escort. But now you, too, can go to the top, all 90+ steps. But what a view when you get up there. Well worth all the huffing and puffing.

The light is inside of Fort Williams Park, which is celebrating its centennial this summer and has all kinds of special events planned. On July 24 the public will be able to climb the light for a donation. I would suggest getting there early, so that you aren't at the end of a line that may get terminated at a certain hour. I would call the number on the webpage I will give you and ask for the specific time schedule for climbing; or call Portland Head Lighthouse directly to ask. Be sure to take enough film along to the top; it is a long trip back down and up again to get more. One member learned it the hard-climb way. For more information, go to www.CapeElizabeth.com Once there, click on the rightside on Fort Willams Centennial; then click on calendar of events; then scroll to find July 24. If you are making a special trip to visit the lighthouse to climb it (it is rarely open to the public to climb), visit the other interesting lighthouses also on that side of the harbor in S. Portland. Ask for directions to Spring Point Ledge Light, the only caisson light you can walk up to on a jetty. There is a very nice museum on land. Nearby is Portland Breakwater or Bug Light, a cute little Grecian temple style. Both are best to photograph in afternoon light from landside. A morning harbor cruise out of Portland harbor is best for photographing from water. Cape Elizabeth Twin Lights are about 4 miles or so from Portland Head (down near Twin Lights State Park). Both are private but you can see and photograph them from the street with a longer lens. The one where the keeper's house has been rebuilt, really doesn't look that bad at all. The gingerbread trim is back on. Have lunch at the Salty Dog Brewery Pub on the waterfront in S. Portland which gives you a great view of the city of Portland and great food. Dinner on DeMillo's Floating Restaurant ( a real boat) along the harbor on Commercial street in Old Town on the Portland side of the harbor affords great views; you can even see Bug Light with a long lens or binoculars; good food. All this to make it a memorable weekend for any lighthouse enthusiast who wants to drive up for the unique climb. Well worth the trip.
How many of you have ever climbed to the top of Portland Head Light? How many other lighthouses did you see from the top; and which ones?




[This message has been edited by ladylightkeeper (edited 06-28-99).]

That definitely sounds like a trip I would take. I'm planning on a Lighthouse vacation to NY and New England sometime next spring. I have never been to Portland head, but I am planning on going there.
I have been to the top of a handful of Lighthouses (St. Augustine, Ponce Inlet, Montauk Point, and Fire Island). I have to get back to St. Simons when i can because I didn't have enough time to go to the top.

John

For those of you who are now interested in climbing Portland, I just want to clarify that the climb is for THIS July 24, l999, ONLY. I have no idea if other climbs will be open to the public in the future. You would have to contact the lighthouse staff directly. Be sure to check out their calendar on the Cape Elizabeth website.

For those of you who hope to come to NE, whenever, I would be willing to give you some travel tips on seeing lights and other interesting sites here. I myself do a lot of traveling; and live between two states, so you would need to contact me a good 3 months or more ahead of your trip. From mid Jan - late March you can reach me at ladylightkeeper@dixie-net.com

From mid April through late Nov. it is ladylightkeeper@webtv.net

I would give you travel help in exchange for a donation to our club lighthouse preservation fund. We are an HL club, but also wish to help in restoration projects here in NE through receiving donations to pass on to such projects. We have donated to several this year as a new club; and will be donating to the Cape Neddick (Nubble) lighthouse in York, Me, following our club Christmas party there to see the outlining of the lighthouse with lights, turned on beginning on Sat. Nov 27., along with the town's Christmas celebration at water's edge. It is now quite an annual event.

There is a lot to see in New England. It is a small area but crowded full of history, much of it relating back to the sea. Come enjoy.

Another source of good lighthouse information for New England is the webpage created by Jeremy D'Entremont, a club member who professionally creates and also runs our site and several others for maritime sites. His is filled with the most gorgeous lighthouse photography, each one captioned with the history, cruises, and old postcards of that light. He has created a wonderful CD Rom for computers that covers all Maine lights and this is for sale through the Lighthouse Depot. On his webpage, he sells a nice screen saver and now glossy prints of lighthouses suitable for framing. Check him out at www.lighthouse.cc and register on his guest book and please let him know that you found out about him from the New England Lighthouse Lovers.

Barbara, President
New England Lighthouse Lovers (NELL)
www.lighthouse.cc/nelighthouselovers

to activate the link above...

[This message has been edited by JChidester (edited 06-28-99).]