4 female lighthouse keepers highlighted in MI Maritime Museum performance
The love for lighthouses runs deep in the Great Lakes State. Michiganders have a true appreciation for the valiant efforts of lighthouse keepers who directed ships across temperamental waters and for the volunteers who now preserve that history.
The Michigan Maritime Museum is taking the helm this week on the lighthouse love.
Click here to see more of Julia Sheridan, Mary Terry, Harriet Colfax, and Elizabeth W. Williams on the USLHS Research Catalog
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Florida's hidden gems: Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse, where views and history meet
The Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse, museum and grounds feature 5,000 years of regional history, nestled on the banks of the Jupiter Inlet.
The landmark 1860 lighthouse sits on an historic sand point where sapphire seas collide with a turquoise inlet, saltwater turns brackish and sandbars shift at the whims of currents and tides.
Click here to see more of Jupiter Inlet on the USLHS Research Catalog
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2 Minnesota campgrounds rated among the best in the nation
Minnesota is a nice place to pitch your tent.
At least, that's what The Dyrt says. The camping app's 2025 Camping Report has been released, sharing the 10 places to camp in each region of the United States.
Click here to see more of Split Rock on the USLHS Research Catalog
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'Get it back': NY community vows rebuild after fire damages 19th century Tarrytown Lighthouse
Authorities said an arson and vandalism spree did significant damage to Tarrytown Lighthouse, a historic site along the Hudson River, that officials vow to rebuild.
The Tarrytown Lighthouse suffered immense damage on May 31, which could cost over $100,000, according to Westchester County.
Click here to see more of Tarrytown on the USLHS Research Catalog
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Explore Maine's coast through its charming lighthouses
Maine's beautiful coastline has a number of historic lighthouses, each telling a story from the state's maritime past.
How about a road trip to visit these iconic lighthouses.
Click here to see more of Maine's Lighthouses on the USLHS Research Catalog
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This North Carolina Island is home to a National Seashore, Quiet Beach Villages, and the tallest lighthouse in the U.S.
"There are things we just don't have here," Karla Jarvis, the president of the Hatteras Village Civic Association, tells Travel + Leisure.
"There are no big-box stores, no McDonalds, and you won't be going to a theater to catch a movie." But that's the beauty of Hatteras Island, NC.
Click here to see more of Cape Hatteras on the USLHS Research Catalog
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158-year-old Sand Point Lighthouse, MI, at northern tip of Lake Michigan is open for tours
This historic lighthouse at the northern tip of Lake Michigan is open for summer.
Sand Point Lighthouse in Escanaba is open daily from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. for self-guided tours.
Click here to see more of Sand Point on the USLHS Research Catalog
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Nonprofit proposes 'arts enclave' for historic Stratford Point Lighthouse, CT
A local nonprofit arts group is throwing its hat in the ring to become the new steward of the Stratford Point Lighthouse, vying with the town of Stratford for the federally owned property.
Mark Hannon, the president of the Arts Alliance of Stratford, told the Town Council during its regular meeting on June 9 that the organization is hoping to use the site at the mouth of the Housatonic River as its new home base.
Click here to see more of Stratford Point on the USLHS Research Catalog
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Port Austin Reef Lighthouse, MI, secures grant to expand historic programs
The Port Austin Reef Light Association was recently awarded a $22,000 grant under the America250MI initiative to support its project, "Illuminating History: Enhanced Public Access and Educational Programming at Port Austin Reef Light."
This grant will enable the lighthouse, a National Historic Landmark that recently underwent a $1.8 million restoration, to expand its public access and educational opportunities.
Click here to see more of Port Austin Reef on the USLHS Research Catalog
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Kevin Hart, Norah Jones headline Montauk Lighthouse, NY, shows this summer
Comedy superstar Kevin Hart and 10-time Grammy Award winning songstress Norah Jones are set to perform at an iconic East End backdrop this summer - the historic Montauk Point Lighthouse.
The performances - part of a growing series of major benefit shows staged at the lighthouse - have become two of the hottest tickets of the season on Long Island.
Click here to see more of Montauk Point on the USLHS Research Catalog
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Pomham Rocks Lighthouse Keeper Honored with Marker
The light morning rainfall did not dampen the spirit of the members of Friends of Pomham Rocks Lighthouse as they gathered at Quidnesset Memorial Cemetery in North Kingstown, RI recently to honor the lighthouse’s longest-serving keeper, Adolf Aronson. Also attending the memorial service were descendants of Captain Aronson, KarIn Lukowicz of East Greenwich and her daughter, Kristin Scribner of Gloucester, MA, as well as her brother, John Pierson of East Greenwich. Dave Kelleher, Pomham historian, delivered the dedication. Joseph Silvestri, chair of the memorial event, placed a United States Lighthouse Service Memorial Marker at Captain Aronson’s gravesite. The marker honors the sacrifices made by the Lighthouse Keepers of the United States Lighthouse Service. The bronze markers, which hold a U.S. flag, recognize the service and dedication of Lighthouse Keepers to the safety of those at sea. Following the dedication ceremony, members of Friends of Pomham Rocks Lighthouse gathered for lunch at Davenport’s Restaurant, East Providence. This is the fifth lighthouse keeper that the volunteer group has honored.
Born in Sweden in 1872, Adolf Aronson came to America in 1890, at the age of 18. After working on a number of ships, he joined the Lighthouse Service in 1899. He was appointed to the Hog Island Shoal Lightship, located at the entrance to Mt. Hope Bay. When it was replaced by a lighthouse in 1901, he served as the first Assistant Keeper of Hog Island Lighthouse. In 1903 he was promoted to head keeper, and five years later was transferred to Pomham Rocks. He remained at Pomham, with his wife, Nellie, and children H. Marjorie, H. Raymond and Elmer, from 1908 until his retirement in 1937. While stationed at Pomham, he was recognized for two rescues. One involved a seaplane that had crashed into the water. In his motorboat, Capt. Aronson rescued the two men aboard and towed the plane to shore. He also rescued a canoeist whose boat had capsized. Unaware that the lighthouse was occupied, the canoeist did not even call out for help. But the ever-watchful Keeper Aronson rushed to his rescue, having seen the canoeist go under twice.
During his time at the Riverside light station, Pomham Rocks received national attention. The keeper’s son, Raymond, had adopted a stray cat from Riverside that he called Tommy. The black and white cat became well-adjusted to his island home. He would jump off the rocks and catch fish, hiding them under a lilac bush until he had enough for a meal. The lilac bush still blooms on the north side of the island. The Providence Journal wrote a story about Tommy which was picked up by newspapers across the country. A 1931 news clipping from the Times-Picayune newspaper in Louisiana, displayed in the lighthouse gift shop, recounts the story of the self-sufficient fishing cat.
Life on an island lighthouse meant that sometimes medical care was not easily available. When
Keeper Aronson’s daughter became too ill to transport ashore, a doctor came by boat to the lighthouse. As it turned out, she had appendicitis, and he performed surgery on the kitchen table.
Dedicated to the performance of his duties, in his 29 years at Pomham Rocks Lighthouse, Keeper Aronson only had ten days of vacation. His only sick leave was for two months following an accident “while on an errand of mercy between lighthouse and shore.” His foot was injured in the accident and had to be amputated, but he was soon back on the job.
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U.S. Lighthouse Society News is produced by the U.S. Lighthouse Society to support lighthouse preservation, history, education and research.
If you have items of interest to the lighthouse community and its supporters, please email them to Ralph Krugler at ralph@uslhs.org