Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse: What's New!

Open House Hours During Lobster Festival

2010-08-05T14:19:00.003-04:00

The lighthouse will be open to visitors during the Maine Lobster Festival as outlined below, weather permitting:

Wednesday, August 4: 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Thursday, August 5: 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Friday, August 6: 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Saturday, August 7: 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Sunday, August 8: 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Call the lighthouse at 207-542-7574 to confirm the above hours before your visit.

Restored Peapod Launch August 15, 2010

2010-08-05T11:39:00.009-04:00

Restored Peapod Boat to be Launched and Rowed to the Rockland Breakwater Light

Not since the days when keepers staffed Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse has a trip to the site in a peapod boat been more historic than the row set for August 15, 2010.

History will be made when a restored late 1800s wooden peapod boat departs the shoreline of Rockland for the lighthouse where the artifact will be placed on permanent exhibit inside the light station’s boathouse.

The event is being sponsored by the Friends of Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse who has worked closely with The Apprenticeshop in Rockland over the last eight months to restore the vigor, shine and glory of the peapod boat, which traces its roots back to Maine’s Mount Desert Rock Lighthouse.

On Sunday, August 15^th, following a brief shore-side ceremony at 10:00 am along the public landing at Rockland’s Harbor Park, the peapod will be launched at 10:15 am and rowed out to Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse where it will be greeted by volunteers and visitors.

Upon the peapod’s arrival at the light, the Friends of Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse (FRBL), a chapter of the American Lighthouse Foundation, will commemorate the occasion with some remarks before the artifact is placed inside the boathouse on public exhibit

In 2009, John MacDonald of Windham, Maine, donated the peapod to the Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse, which has been meticulously restored by The Apprenticeshop, with help from FRBL volunteers and Hamilton Marine.

The public will have an advance opportunity to view the boat while it is on display at the Maine Boats, Homes & Harbors Show in Rockland on August 13^th and 14^th.

In addition to viewing the peapod boat at the Maine Boats, Homes & Harbors Show, the public can participate in fun raffles that include opportunities to be one of two individuals selected to ride in the peapod on its maiden voyage to the lighthouse, as well as venturing a guess as to how long it will take the peapod to row from shore to Rockland Breakwater Light.

Raffle tickets will be available at the show, as well as at Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse and the American Lighthouse Foundation’s Gift Store & Interpretive Center, located at 464 Main Street in downtown Rockland.

To learn more about this exciting event on August 15, 2010 and the raffles associated with it call the American Lighthouse Foundation at 207-594-4174 or the Friends of Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse at 207-542-7574.

2009 Event Dates

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Below are the event dates for the 2009 season. See the events schedule page for more details.

Saturday, May 9: Lighthouse clean up and painting, 10:00 a.m.

Saturday, May 16: Rain date for clean up/painting and volunteer orientation, 10:00 a.m.

Saturday, May 23: First Open House of the 2009 season. Open Houses continue every weekend through Columbus Day plus other special events as described below.

Monday, May 25: Memorial Day - Open House from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Sunday, June 21: Light to Light Walk/Run & Lobster Boat Races in Rockland Harbor.

Saturday & Sunday, June 27 & 28: Midcoast Maine Lighthouse Challenge - visit 7 lighthouses and the Maine Lighthouse Museum over the course of the weekend. Tour the USCG Cutter TACKLE, Saturday 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Enjoy a sunset lighthouse cruise on the Elizabeth Ann, Saturday 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Friday, July 17: Windjammer Parade of Sails - Open House from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Friday, July 24 through Monday, July 27: Visit of the USCG three-masted sailing Barque EAGLE in Rockland Harbor. Open Houses on Friday and Monday corresponding to arrival and departure times (TBA). Open Houses on Saturday and Sunday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Click here for more information on the EAGLE.

Wednesday, July 29 through Sunday, August 2: Lobster Festival in Rockland. Open Houses from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Saturday, August 29: Maine Masters swim around the Lighthouse from the Beach near Marie Reed Park at the end of Samoset Road, beginning at 9:00 a.m.

Monday, September 7: Labor Day - Open House from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Monday, October 12: Columbus Day - Open House from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Last open house of the season!

2008 Walk/Run

2008-06-15T15:44:00.003-04:00

Beneath threatening skis 56 runners and walkers helped the Friends of the Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse kick off Maine Lighthouse Week by taking part in the 6th Annual Light to Light Walk/Run. The roster was varied with participants coming from as far away as Michigan and Colorado.

Walkers started off the event at 7:15 at the Owls Head Lighthouse and the runners left the starting gate at 8:15. All wound their way down North Shore Drive to Route 73 continuing down Main Street and up Camden Street to Waldo Avenue. Turning right on the Samoset road they were met with cheers of friends and family.

The following runners won first place in their age groups: Ian London, Eric Mauricette, David Drew, Tom Hedstrom, Vern Demmons, Cindy Battel, Bonnie Wescott, Katie Johnson, and Carol Manley. The following walkers won first place in their age groups: Christine McDermott, Phelps Bristol, Karen Willis, Margaret Lauffenburger, June Damery, Alden Anderson, Ryan Parker, and Peter Parker. The award for best male overall went to Ian London. Cindy Battel received the award for best female overall.

For a more complete listing with times please click on this link:

2008%20Race%20results.xls

As with any event, this would not have happened without the support of these businesses: The Pastry Garden for a delicious plate of cookies, the Samoset for all the oranges a runner/walker could want, New England Runner Magazine for two complimentary subscriptions to their magazine, the Owls Head Transportation Museum for the use of stanchions for our finish line chute, and Economy's Embroidery Shop.

And, the most important driving force behind this event was the dedicated volunteers who helped before, during, and after: Dot Black, Sally Cran, Eric Davis, Warren Kincaid, Mary Baily, Cheryl Cash, Linda Muth, Richard Leach, Chris Gamage, John Gamage, John Fotchman, Gary Cran, Barbara Rich, Ken Rich, Anna Rich and her two very capable girl friends (by the way, you girls looked great in orange!). Thank you all very much for making this event successful!

We look forward to doing it all over again next year!

Sandy Clement
Walk/Run Coordinator

Open House for Sunday June 15

2008-05-31T12:41:00.010-04:00

Due to inclement weather, the lighthouse is not open today (Sunday, June 15).

2008 Event Dates

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Below are the event dates for the 2008 season. See the events schedule page for more details.

Saturday, May 10: Lighthouse clean up and painting, 10:00 a.m.

Saturday, May 17: Rain date for clean up/painting and volunteer orientation.

Saturday, May 24: First Open House of the 2008 season.

Monday, May 26: Memorial Day - Open House from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Saturday & Sunday, June 7 & 8: Midcoast Maine Lighthouse Challenge.

Sunday, June 15: Light to Light Walk/Run.

Sunday, June 22: Lobster Boat Races in Rockland Harbor.

Friday, June 27: American Lighthouse Foundation (ALF)-sponsored day cruise on the MV Monhegan from Rockland visiting Lighthouses in Penobscot Bay. (207-594-4174)

Friday, July 4: Independence Day - Open House from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Friday, July 11: Windjammer Parade of Sails - Open House from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Bring your camera!

Wednesday, July 30 through Sunday, August 3: Lobster Festival in Rockland. Open Houses from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Saturday, August 23: Maine Masters swim around the Lighthouse from the Beach near Marie Reed Park at the end of Samoset Road, beginning at 9:00 a.m.

Monday, September 1: Labor Day - Open House from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Monday, October 13: Columbus Day - Open House from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Last open house of the season.