Rose Island Lighthouse - Newport, RI
Posted by: 
Go Boilers!
N 41° 29.732 W 071° 20.554
19T E 304463 N 4596417
Rose Island Lighthouse is located on an 18 acre island off the New England coast, set a mile into Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island. Built in 1869, it is a working lighthouse just minutes away from the colonial town of Newport.
Waymark Code: WMCD0Y
Location: Rhode Island, United States
Date Posted: 08/23/2011
Views: 31
Beyond the reach of utility lines and services, the lighthouse stands as an independent, energy-efficient building that was home to keepers and their families for over a hundred years.
After the Pell Newport Bridge was built the Light Station was abandoned. For the next 14 years it fell victim to scavengers, vandals and the weather. In 1984 volunteers of the newly formed non profit, the Rose Island Lighthouse Foundation, cleaned out and restored it to its 1912 appearance, installing environmentally sensitive, utilities for electricity, water, sewer, and heat.
On August 7, 1993, after the funds had been raised to pay all the restoration bills, the beacon was joyously relit. Rose Island Light is once again listed on today's charts as a private aid to navigation. It is one of only a few operating lighthouses maintained by working vacationers who sign on for a week at a time as part of our environmental education program. The Lighthouse is also listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
Single night accommodations are on the first floor ($100-$195). Listed in the National Register of Historic Places, the Rose Island Lighthouse museum (restored circa 1912) is open to the public from 10 AM to 4 PM each day. After it closes, the two museum bedrooms on the first floor become available for overnight “keepers” who want to step back in time to experience turn-of-the-century lighthouse life first-hand.
The museum is fully furnished with all the pots, pans, dishes and utensils you’ll need. You are responsible for changing your beds and putting the rooms back in order by 10 AM when the museum reopens. Cleaning supplies and fresh linens are provided.
Pack a cooler with your food, beverages and ice (since there is no refrigerator). Each bedroom accommodates up to two people in one extra-long double bed. Washbowls and pitchers are provided for bathing. There is a shared indoor toilet in the WC/pantry off the kitchen where you pump the water by hand, but most of the year you’ll go outside to use the low-flow toilets and the solar showers that also water the gardens. Cook and heat water on a single propane gas burner in the kitchen or on an outdoor propane gas BBQ grill.
Weekly visitors stay on the second floor ($1000-2300 per week). Your week as Lighthouse Keepers runs from 10:00 AM Sunday to 10:00 AM the following Sunday. It begins with a one-hour orientation by our staff who review your traditional responsibilities and specific projects with you, then they will leave you to get settled. Your first official duty will be to take the flag down at sunset.
Your daily duties start about 7:30 AM when you listen to the marine weather on the VHF radio. At 8 AM your rounds begin by raising the flag (you will lower it at sunset). Next you will record and manage our wind-powered electric system and rainwater gathering system. You'll make sure the lighthouse is clean and presentable for the day, will greet visitors and overnighters in the museum, and will collect money from the landing fee boxes and gift shop at the end of the day.
Breakfast: no
Amenities:
Electricity and running water, but no refrigeration. Full kitchen. No smoking or candles allowed. Accessible only by boat.
Area Attractions:
None on the island. Nearby Newport has historic mansion tours (i.e Breakers). The cliff walk allows visitors to view outside of the mansions. Scenic railroad and dinner train is nearby. Minor league baseball. Historic district.
Check- In & Out Times: From: 4:00 PM To: 10:00 AM
Additional Longitude/Latitude Coordinates: N 41° 29.729 W 071° 20.560
Web Address: [Web Link]
Physical Address:
Newport, RI USA
02840
|
Visit Instructions:
Visit the Lighthouse, PLEASE MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO TAKE a photo of the Lighthouse inside & out and one of the scenery. The standard GPS photo may be used as well, or even just an image that you took when you visited the location. If you do not have the option to provide an image, please provide a detailed description of your visit so we can form a 'mental image'