For years people have asked when we would publish a book on Rose Island. A whole BOOK!!??

Because of its many fascinating facets, we have long referred to Rose Island as a “jewel” — so how could we possibly organize one single book to include everything we know? When would we ever find the time? Then it was suggested we could simply write it facet-by-facet, story-by-story, chapter-by-chapter… and accordingly the idea for the Rose Island Beacon was born!

The crown jewel of the island, of course, is the lighthouse. That is why it is so fitting that our inaugural issue is written by Wanton Chase, who at 92 years of age is the oldest person we know with first-hand experience of what life was like there at the turn of the century. Because he was a “sickly baby” he was sent to live at the Rose Island lighthouse with his grandparents from 1910 to 1918. His stories comprise our first issue subtitled “Boyhood Life at Rose Island.”

Last year with the help of a friend, Natalie Nicholson, Wanton began writing down the stories he told us back in 1985. That was when he first read in the newspapers how the Rose Island Lighthouse Foundation was going to restore the lighthouse he remembered from his youth.

Initially he was not sure we could restore the vandalized hulk, but after seeing the energy and enthusiasm we had for the project, he offered his help, finding the big black kitchen stove, the Hoosier…but wait! That part of the story could be told in a future edition of the Beacon dedicated to the restoration of the lighthouse. Suffice it to say, the lighthouse museum experience wouldn’t be what it is today had it not been for Wanton Chase and people like him who informed our decisions so early in the game.

And, yes, future issues will be devoted to the restoration of the lighthouse and more stories of other lighthouse keepers, as well as the history of the island during the Revolution, World War I and II (complete with maps and photographs from our collection), also the natural history—the ecology of the island, its birds, seals, plants and more!

We would also like to know what you want to know more about, what information you might have to share, and if you would like to support the publication with an ad.

The Beacon’s format can accommodate a variety of subjects and writing styles, so while we don't see any single, all-inclusive book being written about Rose Island, we do see that chapter-by-chapter the whole story can be told in the combined issues of the Rose Island Beacon.

Our Number 1, first edition issue is priced at $5.00. Call the Rose Island Lighthouse office to order (401-847-4242), or pick up your copy locally at WaldenBooks (Bellevue Ave.),  Armory Antiques, 365 Thames Street, or at Newport Hardware, either on Broadway or Bellevue Avenue in Newport.