Salem Bakers Island Light Station Restored, Public Tours Planned

SALEM, MA — The $30,000 restoration of the Bakers Island Light Station in Salem is complete with tours planned to show the results of what Essex Heritage called a "critical masonry restoration project " at one of the oldest lighthouses in the country.

The has preserved the structural integrity of the historic 1820 lighthouse tower and keepers’ houses for future generations.

The restoration work, which took place throughout the summer construction season, included comprehensive repointing of the lighthouse's brick masonry interior and restoration of three historic brick chimneys on the keepers' houses. The project was led by Martin J. Nally, a preservation mason with over 31 years of experience who has restored 20 lighthouses for the U.S. Coast Guard, working alongside mason Matthew Holland.

"We are very excited to share that we met our community fundraising goal through our 'Preserve the Light' campaign," said Annie Harris, CEO of Essex Heritage. "The funds directly supported the repointing of interior brickwork throughout our 1820 lighthouse tower, affectionately known as 'Pa Baker,' which is lined with brick and has vaulted ceilings."

The restoration project was made possible through generous support from multiple sources:

• $2,500 from the United States Lighthouse Society for lighthouse tower repointing
• $5,000 from Preservation Massachusetts in collaboration with the 1772 Foundation for chimney restoration
• $5,000 from New England Lighthouse Lovers, Inc.
• $10,000 raised through the community “Preserve the Light” campaign
• Additional funds from Essex Heritage to complete the $30,000 project

The historic lighthouse had urgently needed restoration for some time, as the old mortar had turned to powder in many places throughout the interior. Thanks to the generosity of donors and foundations, the repointing and repairs are now completed, with only a finish coat remaining to be applied over the interior before the end of the season.

On Aug. 24, Holland will return to Bakers Island Light to lead a special tour of the restoration work completed at the lighthouse. This opportunity will allow visitors to see the preserved craftsmanship up close and learn about the specialized techniques used in the project.

Tickets are limited to 18 passengers and can be purchased here.

Established in 1791, Bakers Island Light Station has guided vessels through Salem Sound for over two centuries. The current lighthouse tower, constructed in 1820, is one of the oldest in the United States.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. X/Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)