Restored circa 1912. See fees and reservation calendar below. 

Listed in the National Register of Historic Places, the Rose Island Lighthouse museum 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.

Restored right down to the pitcher pump at the pantry sink, the museum is fully furnished with all the pots, pans, dishes and utensils you’ll need – just as if its keepers of old still lived there. 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).  We provide bottled Crystal Spring water for drinking.

MUSEUM (First floor)

Back to basics: 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.

The wind produces enough pollution-free electricity for our compact fluorescent bulbs. (There’s no fire station on the island, so we don’t allow candles.) A radiant oil-fired heating system in the floor keeps the Lighthouse warm and comfortable, even on the coldest, stormiest winter days (assuming you can get there – see Weather Policy).

RESERVATIONS - Contact the Lighthouse Office at 401-847-4242 between 9AM-1PM weekdays for availability of the two museum bedrooms (which are reserved independently) plus the bunk room for children.  A $50 deposit for each room guarantees your reservations. Pay the balance two weeks prior to your arrival. We prefer MC/Visa and also accept personal checks and travelers checks. Check with our staff to arrange for secured parking and the boat ride to Rose Island.

HEALTH REQUIREMENTS: While lighthouse overnights are classified as "soft adventure" (as opposed to an extreme wilderness experience), you DO need to be relatively flexible and physically fit to climb on and off boats and to carry your belongings up the 300-foot-long hill to the lighthouse. Specifically, it is important for us to know if you or anyone in your party has any restrictions on your activities, or if you have limited mobility due to injuries, joint replacement, morbid obesity, breathing disorders, or other reason. Soft as it is, this "adventure" may not be appropriate for everyone.

WEATHER POLICY - In New England we say, “If you don’t like the weather, wait a minute!”  If we can't get you safely to the Lighthouse, we will either (a) put you up at a hotel in town, (b) reschedule your visit, or (c) give you a gift certificate for the full amount paid.  On the flip side, you could get stranded at the Lighthouse for an extra day (at no extra charge), so be prepared!

CANCELLATION POLICY – Once your reservation is confirmed, a fee of $25 (plus tax) is charged per room if you change or cancel your dates. You are responsible for the full room fee with less than 2 weeks’ notice if we can't rebook the room. Gift certificates are forfeited.

MUSEUM ROOM FEES "(effective 2/1/2007)

Museum Availability Calendar 

Gift Certificates are appropriate for all gift giving occasions!

LIGHTHOUSE NOTES:

• Join us in taking care of our environment: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.

• Trash rules: Pack it in, and pack it out. No Styrofoam coolers please (they break into teeny particles that live forever). If you buy ice, we’ll loan you a lighthouse cooler for your stay.

• Smoking is not allowed in the Lighthouse at any time and only on the beach if you leave no trace.

• Overnights in this National Register property are not appropriate for pets, nor in most cases, for children under 5 years of age.

• Stays are limited to one night only from April - October when we offer educational programs in the museum during the day. You can stay for more than one night from November-March.

• Maximum overnight capacity in the museum is 5 people. (If the 2nd floor bunk room is available, two children can be added.)

• "Keeper's Bed" refers to a day-bed (twin size) in the living room where the keeper would rest at night while on duty tending the light.

• FAQ (Frequently asked questions)

Directions

For reservation information call:
401-847-4242
Best time to call is between 9:00 - 1:00 Eastern Time
Monday-Friday to talk with a real live person -- THANKS!!

Rose Island Lighthouse Foundation
P.O. Box 1419, Newport, RI  02840