The Rose
Island Lighthouse
A mile offshore and a century in the past lies
"The Little Lighthouse That Could"
Narragansett Bay, Newport, Rhode Island
It's
called "The little lighthouse that could" because the Rose Island Lighthouse
is maintained and operated by the non-profit
Rose Island Lighthouse Foundation (RILF)
which relies on the good will of the public (not tax dollars) to achieve its
mission which is:
To preserve the
historic and environmental integrity of Rose Island, to maintain and operate its
Lighthouse and to provide education and public access for all people.
Scroll down for more info below.....
Beyond
the reach of Newport’s utility lines and services, the Rose Island
Lighthouse now stands as an independent, energy-efficient building that was home
to keepers and their families for over a hundred years. After the Newport Bridge was built the Lighthouse was abandoned
and became badly vandalized. Over the course of the next eight years, members
of the Rose Island Lighthouse Foundation cleaned out and restored it to its 1912
appearance, but with a focus on being GREEN --
making the lighthouse energy efficient, then installing independent, environmentally sensitive utility systems for heat, water,
sewer and electricity.
On August 7, 1993, when the funds had been raised to pay all the
restoration bills, the light in the tower was joyously relit. The Rose Island Light is
currently listed on charts as a private aid to navigation, and it is also listed
in the National Register of Historic Places.
The Rose Island Lighthouse
is maintained by keepers from
all walks of life who sign on for a
week at a time as part of our environmental education program, where people of all ages
learn about the Lighthouse’s history and they experience first-hand the
keeper’s self-sufficient, resourceful way of life...lessons that last a lifetime.
The Rose Island Lighthouse Foundation is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt
organization supported by environmental education program fees, fundraising
events, memberships, contributions
and corporate sponsorships. No tax dollars support the operation or
maintenance of the lighthouse or property! We hope you will become part of our effort to keep the light shining in the hearts and
minds of the next generation of the Earth’s keepers! Please check
out how you can help (see menu on left)
Support our
CAPITAL CAMPAIGN that will update our
utility systems and help us go from
GREEN to even
GREENER!
Projects planned for 2008 include the following: Install a composting toilet, restore the basement
cistern, install
solar (PV) panels, convert back-up diesel generator and radiant in-floor
heating system to biofuels, and install solid panel interior window shutters
to retain passive solar heat.
Fort Hamilton's
barracks restoration is also in the works. Advice and contributions are welcome!
More information to be found in our Fall 2007 newsletter.
Contact us
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