The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) announced that it has found a new steward for the historic Race Rock Lighthouse, in an effort to save tax dollars while preserving the past. As part of the National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act (NHLPA) program, GSA offered the light at no cost to public bodies and non-profit organizations.
Ownership and the ‘keys’ to the historic Race Rock Lighthouse will be transferred from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security United States Coast Guard (USCG) to its new steward, The New London Maritime Society during the deed transfer ceremony hosted by GSA June 27, 2013. This event is an opportunity to celebrate the success of the NLHPA program, the unique federal partnership among GSA, USCG, and the National Park Service (NPS) and exemplary stewards such as New London Maritime Society. Race Rock Light is the second historic property the steward has won under the NLHPA program.
"Lighthouses are an important part of national and regional heritage. Working with stewards like the New London Maritime Society helps us ensure that these architectural treasures are preserved without burdening taxpayers" remarked Robert Zarnetske, GSA Regional Administrator for New England.
Constructed in 1871-1878 by renowned engineer Francis Hopkinson Smith and first lit in 1879, the Race Rock Lighthouse includes a two and one-half story Gothic Revival style granite masonry keeper’s dwelling with an integral three and one-half story tower. Race Rock Light is located at the Race, a narrows between Fishers Island and the northeastern end of Long Island Sound, half a mile southwest of Race Point on Fishers Island, New York.
“Even after a couple of weeks, it’s difficult to grasp,” said Susan Susan Tamulevich, Director of the Custom House Maritime Museum. “It it is our mission to protect and preserve New London’s maritime heritage. We are committed to preserving our important heritage sites for future generations.There is no more thrilling site nor compelling story than that of this lighthouse”, she added.
Since 2000, GSA has been administering the historic lights program with its partners the National Park Service and the United States Coast Guard. So far, 96 lights been conveyed out of federal ownership: 63 at no cost to preservationists; and 33 sold by auction to the public.
