I am a "Harbor Lights" lighthouse collector and I would like to start collecting lighthouses that were maintained by women. Can you help?

There have been lighthouses with female keepers and HL has a few of them.

However, if you really think about all the keepers wifes had to know exactly what to do in the event that the Mr. was ill or injured.
Many lighthouses in these great United States were family operations such as Horton Point, Old Field and all other smaller coastal lights. The whole family was involved in the operation and maintainence of the station.Those who worked in the magnificent great coastal towers were usually manned by two families. Again everyone doing there part to insure the beacon was alwys lit

The keepers wife was always the 1st assistant.

Good luck in your collecting!!!

I really good place to start would be to obtain a copy of the book 'Women Who Kept The Lights' An Illustrated History of Female Lighthouse Keepers, by Mary Louise Clifford and J. Candance Clifford. The ISBN number for the book is 0-9636412-0-4. I used that number to search and see if www.amazon.com/ and http://www.bn.com/ carried it and they do. Both online stores had it at list price of $19.95. I have seen it offered in several gift shops at lighthouses. Michigan City, Ponce, Key West, Calvert Marine Museum, and others. I hope this helps you, it is very well done.

SaintWackoPaul '
Keep the Flame

Here's a photo by our own Paul L. Brady of the "Lady Lightkeepers Set" of 5 Limited Edition lighthouses issued in 1996. You may still be able to find a matched number set of these - check the Retired@Retail service.

From 6 O'Clock and clockwise: Mantinicus Rock ME, Chatham MA, Saugerties NY, Point Pinos CA, and Ida Lewis (Lime Rock) RI



I'm sure there are other lighthouses that women have 'manned' available from Harbour Lights. Help, anyone?



[This message has been edited by JChidester (edited 10-14-99).]

Both Old Field Point and Horton Point had women keepers. They are two fine Harbour Lights sculptures.

Also I believe on of the California Lights the HL makes had a woman keeper.

I hope my intial response didn't offend in any way. My intent was to point out the lighthouse keeping was a family way of life and all the family members did whatever they could.

[This message has been edited by Mike Seewald (edited 10-14-99).]

Thanks for all the help. I'm sorry it took so long to reply. I've been away for a couple of weeks. Thanks again!

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Have you found a set of the Harbour
Lights Lady Lightkeepers set yet? If
not, I know where you can get a matched
number set, if you contact me.

There is a book out, new 2nd edition just
came out, called "The Lighthouse Keeper's
Wife" written by Connie Small. She is
now 98 and I have talked to her. She is
fascinating to hear tell her tales of
having to mind the light by herself when
her husband was ill. If you are
interested, let me know, and I will give
you a publisher where you can order it
direct.