Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouse
New Hampshire
Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouse is a historic maritime beacon situated within Fort Constitution in New Castle, New Hampshire. Established in 1771, it is one of the earliest lighthouses in the United States, originally featuring a wooden tower illuminated by copper oil lamps. The lighthouse underwent several reconstructions, including an 1804 octagonal wooden tower and a significant 1878 cast-iron and brick-lined structure that stands today. It features a fixed green light visible for 12 nautical miles, aided by an acrylic cylinder lens. The site also includes a restored 1903 oil house and the 1872 keeper's house, now used by the U.S. Coast Guard. The lighthouse remains an active aid to navigation and is managed by the Friends of Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouses, a preservation group dedicated to its upkeep and public education. The lighthouse was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2009, underscoring its cultural and historical importance.
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Tipp: Visitors should check for seasonal tours and special events such as the popular Sunset Lighthouse Cruises offered in June, which require advance ticket purchase due to high demand. Currently, access to the lighthouse itself is limited due to storm damage to the footbridge, but fundraising efforts are underway to restore public access. The best time to visit the surrounding Fort Constitution area is during mild weather months for optimal views and walking conditions.
Interessante Fakten
- •Portsmouth Harbor Light is the 10th of 11 lighthouses established in the U.S. before the American Revolution.
- •The lighthouse’s current fixed green light is visible up to 12 nautical miles away.
- •The 1878 lighthouse was built on the foundation of the 1804 tower, reusing historic materials.
- •The 1903 oil house at the site was restored in 2004 and remains a notable structure on the property.
- •The lighthouse keeper’s house, dating from 1872, currently serves as offices for the U.S. Coast Guard.
- •Friends of Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouses have provided guided tours to over 50,000 visitors from 2001 to 2022.
- •Severe storms in January 2024 caused damage to the lighthouse base and oil house, impacting public access.
Geschichte
The Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouse was first established in 1771 as one of the earliest American lighthouses before the Revolutionary War.
The original wooden tower was replaced in 1804 by a taller octagonal wooden structure.
In 1878, the current cast-iron and brick-lined lighthouse was built on the original foundation.
Over the years, the lighthouse was modernized with a Fourth Order Fresnel lens in 1854 and adapted to a fixed green light signal.
The lighthouse was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2009, recognizing its historical significance.
Recent storms in early 2024 caused damage to the lighthouse base and oil house, prompting preservation efforts.
OrtsfĂĽhrer
Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouse Tower1878
The main lighthouse structure, a 48-foot cast-iron and brick-lined tower built in 1878 on the original 1804 foundation. It houses the active fixed green light signal visible for 12 nautical miles.
1903 Oil House1903
A small building used historically to store lamp oil safely, restored in 2004, representing the essential support structures of the lighthouse station.
1872 Keeper's House1872
The former residence of lighthouse keepers, this building now serves as offices for the U.S. Coast Guard, maintaining the site’s operational functions.
Kontakt
Telefon: (603) 534-0537
