Brandywine Shoal Lighthouse Friends

Restoration – Preservation – Education – Public Access

Brandywine Shoal Lighthouse Friends are taking on the monumental task of not only restoring and preserving Brandywine Shoal Lighthouse, but also preparing it for public access and bringing the public to the lighthouse safely and responsibly to educate the public about the importance of Brandywine Shoal Lighthouse and the surrounding Maritime Heritage of Delaware Bay.

Phase 1 Restore Access to the Lighthouse from the main dock. In 2014, winter storm Jonas was so violent, the cat walk connecting docks between the lighthouse and the main pier as well as the ladder up to the main gallery deck were removed by high winds and extreme high tides. This cut off the United States Coast Guard Aides to Navigation Team from being able to service the beacon in the Lighthouse.

Phase 1.1 Update Secure Brandywine Shoal Lighthouse ( new doors are needed for all exterior doors)

Phase 1.2 Replace the Security signage Stating the Brandywine Shoal is public property and any request to enter must be approved by Brandywine Shoal Lighthouse 501 c3.

Phase 2 Stabilize the decay of Brandywine Shoal Lighthouse. We are out to bid with several marine contractors to stabilize the concrete structure of the caison and the tower as soon as possible. This will entail removal of crumbling concrete, exposing steel rebar which is rusting, sandblasting the steel rebar, and epoxy coating the rebar. Once the rebar is encased in epoxy to stop the rusting, we can fix the crumbling concrete. The Concrete will then be sealed and painted in the original colors.

Phase 3 Restore the Interior of Brandywine Shoal Lighthouse. This includes lead paint abatement as well as asbestos removal. The lighthouse has been closed to a keeper since the 1970s. These are real concerns and the reason why no public tours have been occuring at the lighthouse and the main reason it is closed to public and considered trespassing by any individual taking it upon themselves to break into the lighthouse.

Phase 3.1 Restore the interior to liveable condition is more involved. A generator for electricity and fresh water are the real concerns for this. These will be placed in the “basement”. Heat and HVAC are another concern, but electricity and running water will be the biggest hurdles.

Phase 4 Preservation. Funding for ongoing upkeep are an even larger concern than stabilizing the lighthouse. Brandywine Shoal Lighthouse 501c3 is charged with preservation for perpetuity, thus our board members and volunteers must secure the needed funding to continue the goal of keeping the light on and burning bright forever.

                  

   

Phase 5 Education. Public Tours is the ultimate goal of providing the necessary funding for ongoing preservation. Public Tours will be brought to the lighthouse via Cape May Whale Watcher INC, our tour company and largest benefactor to date. Other possibilities for ongoing funding exist in partnering with a research laboratory or University. The appeal of a dedicated field study location offshore has shown interest from both Rutgers University and others. We have also considered the implications of cell tower location for other revenue streams.