Coast Guard Transfers Historic Nobska Lighthouse to Falmouth

NobskaSmallWOODS HOLE –  The responsibility of caring for the historic Nobska Lighthouse in Woods Hole was formerly transferred from the Coast Guard to the Town of Falmouth Monday.

During the event at the base of the light, a ceremonial key was passed to Selectmen Chairman Doug Jones.

Friends of Nobska Light, a non-profit organization formed to preserve and protect the landmark, will be responsible for the maintenance of the facility.

The Coast Guard will continue to maintain the light as an aid to navigation.

“Nobska Light has protected our community and Massachusetts mariners for more than a century,” said Congressman William Keating, who attended the ceremony.

“Now, it’s the citizens turn to take care of Nobska Light.”

Nobska Light - 2

Congressman William Keating takes part in Nobska Light transfer ceremony Monday in Woods Hole.

Plans call for the restoration of the keeper’s house and tower, both of which will be open to the public. The lighthouse will also host exhibits of Falmouth’s Maritime History.

The Coast Guard started the process to move on from maintaining the lighthouse about 2 years ago and decided to license it to the municipality or conservation organization.

Four conservation groups in town, Falmouth Museums on the Green, the Woods Hole Historical Museum, Highfield Hall, and the Woods Hole Community Association, felt keeping the light under the control of the town was the best course of action for preservation.

“None of the four thought they had the capability of actually managing the property itself and operating it because they had enough thing going on themselves,” said Friends of Nobksa Light President Brian Nickerson earlier this year.

“But they thought a consortium of the four entities with the involvement of the town would be the right way of going.”

The Friends of Nobska Light was formed and the town submitted and application to the Coast Guard.

The Coast Guard chose to work with the town in March of 2015 starting the license agreement process.

The overall goal of the nonprofit is to raise $4 million for the project.

Nobska Light was established in 1826 and the current structure Nobska Point Light was built in 1876.

It has served continuously as an aid to navigation, marking a key waypoint in coastal maritime traffic and warning ships off shoals in Vineyard Sound.

By MATT PITTA, CapeCod.com News Director

 

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