Female Keepers

During the years of manned light stations in America several women served as keepers. Almost all of them obtained the position due to their husbands becoming incapacitated or dying. For the greater part of 140 years, the Turkey Point Light Station in Maryland was under the care of women, many of whom were related.

Any attempt to summon up the women who kept lighthouses on the Chesapeake Bay in the first half of the 19th century is obscured by huge gaps in the historical records-gaps that reflect the lack of interest in recording the accomplishments of working men and women in that period. For many lighthouse keepers, all that remains is a record of their appointment and length of service. Research in the National Archives revealed 141 women across the country who were appointed official keepers. Hundreds more were officially appointed assistant keepers, generally aiding their fathers or husbands.