New London Maritime Society Sees Big Summer For Lighthouses

The New London Maritime Society sees big things in the future for the lighthouses in southeastern Connecticut, and is looking to local residents to help restore a local beacon.

Members of the society kicked off their “Be Part of Something Big” campaign on the beach outside New London Harbor Light on Thursday. The event also introduced a proclamation from Gov. Dannel Malloy declaring the 2013 summer season to be the “New London Harbor Light Summer.”

Susan Tamulevich, director of the Custom House Maritime Museum, said the main goal of this summer is to raise $300,000 for restoration work at the Harbor Light. The New London Maritime Society became stewards of the lighthouse in 2010.

Tamulevich said the Federal Emergency Management Agency will pay 75 percent of costs to repair damages to a stone walkway and seawall that occurred during Hurricane Sandy. However, the society is looking to the public for help in raising funds for half the price of tenting, scaffolding, re-pointing, and painting the Harbor Light.

“We have a plan, and if we can raise $150,000 by October we can apply for a matching grant from the state,” said Tamulevich.

More than $60,000 has been raised so far from donors including the Chester Kitchings Family Foundation, Frank Loomis Palmer Fund, and Hefel Masonry.

Rachel Perry, who was recently hired as lighthouse program director, said the society’s lighthouse programs will include the annual “Sentinels on the Sound” tours, an excursion to Fishers Island, and concerts. Summer events kick off on Sunday with “donation only” tours of the Harbor Light, and anyone interested in reserving a spot may contact the Custom House Maritime Museum.

Local businesses have started selling “Be Part of Something Big” pins for $10, offering discounts in return. Other incentives include:

• A ticket for the Chowda & Lighthouse Cake Gala celebration on July 25 for a $35 donation
• A Harbor Light print for a $50 donation
• A souvenir brick from the seawall destroyed by Hurricane Sandy for a $75 donation
• A ticket to a whale tooth lottery for a $150 donation
• Dinner for two in the lighthouse for a $300 donation
• Two invitations to an end-of-campaign dinner for a $1,000 donation

Higher level donations will also receive the incentives offered at any of the lower levels.

George Sprecace, president of the New London Maritime Society, said the organization’s mission is to keep the local beacons in the public domain. He said the society recently acquired stewardship of the Race Rock Light, with a formal deed transfer set for next week, and is working with the new owner of the Little Gull Light after an unsuccessful attempt to acquire the property.

“Please rise to the occasion, early and often,” said Sprecace. “In small and large ways, please help us in your own behalf.”

Mayor Daryl Finizio read Malloy’s proclamation, which recognized the Harbor Light’s history and its status as an active beacon. Finizio thanked the society members and volunteers in the New London Maritime Society, saying efforts such as the lighthouse restoration and programs are a way of promoting community reinvestment and tourism.

“Here in New London, we have such rich history that is so often underutilized and underappreciated,” he said.

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