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Historic Lighthouse Preservation Handbook

 

The Historic Lighthouse Preservation Handbook was created through a cooperative partnership between the National Park Service, U.S. Coast Guard, Department of Defense Legacy Resource Management Program, and U.S. Lighthouse Society. The 328-page preservation manual, released in August 1997, focuses primarily on the maintenance problems associated with the many different materials and construction techniques used in these unique structures. In addition to sections devoted to preservation treatments, it includes a brief history of the U.S. Lighthouse Service and lighthouse construction types; existing historic preservation laws, standards, and guidelines; case studies for both lighthouse rehabilitation and restoration projects; related activities (interpretation, funding, safety management, etc.); and sources for more information.

The treatment sections include data gathered from condition assessments and significance evaluations at 21 lighthouse sites around the country. The treatments encompass both protection and stabilization (mothballing) as well as repair. The Handbook is also based on information from applicable NPS publications, USCG files, and material generated by nonprofit groups and museums. The Handbook's technical guidance was developed by the NPS's Historic Preservation Training Center; the historical background was created largely through a cooperative agreement with the US Lighthouse Society; and the overall production of the Handbook was coordinated by the NPS National Maritime Initiative.

 

Punta Tuna Lighthouse in Maunabo, Puerto Rico. The photo by Larry Myhre is licensed via Creative Commons.

 

Table of Contents

Click on the links within the Table of Content below to view individual sections (pdf) or read the complete Historic Lighthouse Preservation Handbook (pdf, 23.7 MB).

 

Table of Contents
Introduction
          I. Why Preserve Lighthouses?
          II. History of the Lighthouse Service and Lighthouse Construction Types
          III. Standards, Guidelines, and the Preservation Process
          IV. Historic Lighthouse Preservation
                    Introduction
                    A. Masonry
                              Part 1
                              Part 2
                    B. Iron
                              Part 1
                              Part 2
                    C. Wood
                              Part 1
                              Part 2
                    D. Concrete
                    E. Windows
                    F. Doors
                    G. Lanterns
                              Part 1
                              Part 2
                    H. Interiors
                    I. Grounds
          V. Beyond Basic Preservation
                    A. Rehabilitation
                              Part 1
                              Part 2
                              Part 3
                    B. Restoration
                    C. Related Activities
          VI. Resources

 

Cleveland Harbor West Pierhead Light in Cleveland, OH. The photo by cmh2315fl is licensed via Creative Commons.