We finally made it to Plum Island Lighthouse on Monday, after many false starts and cancellations by the USDA.
The good news is that we were pleasantly surprised with the exterior condition of the lighthouse. It looks like, it has been recently painted (trim), and maybe even power washed (Do you think the delays were caused by trying to spruce it up?). The interior is what you would expect peeling lead paint on walls (probable asbestos in the basement) and ceiling, falling walls and ceilings but no signs of vandalism. We got to go up it the lantern room by a series of old wooden stairs. Several of the panes of glass were cracked but not broken. Exterior windows of the lighthouse were intact (no broken glass), and painted on the outside. There is no apparent water damage.

The major concern is still the erosion on the land surrounding the lighthouse. Some of the former employees of Plum Island Disease Center had the foresight to stockpile some boulders from a recent construction project, which we were also able to review with our consultants from Costello Marine and Chesterfield Associates. The consultants are now preparing a plan for the movement of the boulders to a strategic placing ala Montauk LH.

I was able to take about 20 minutes of digital video, which we’ll use, for reference as the project progresses.
Next step is to get an agreement with USDA, and come up with a cost plan

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Long Island BOB


[This message has been edited by rscroope (edited 05-17-2000).]