Historic Island Structures Receive Needed Maintenance

The Maine Coastal Island National Wildlife Refuge Complex is responsible for maintaining five lighthouses and their accompanying structures. Four of these are on the National Register of Historic Places and must be maintained to historic preservation standards. Major maintenance was recently completed on the three of the four.

At Matinicus Rock, off Penobscot Bay just south of Matinicus Island, the keeper’s house received a new roof, new windows, new doors, complete electrical rewiring, and interior and exterior repainting. This house provides seasonal housing for 14 weeks each summer for interns working on seabird management and research. The lighthouse on the island also received attention which included re-pointing of the granite masonry, exterior paint stripping and re-painting, upper and lower deck railing replacement, and replacement of panes of glass surrounding the light.

On Petit Manan Island, near Milbridge, work crews rehabilitated the Fog Signal Building and Generator Building. The scope of work on the Fog Signal Building included installing a new roof, repairing the cupola, and repairing window and door framework. The Generator Building roof was also replaced and extensive work was done to the masonry and structural supports. Tie rods were installed in the brickwork to stabilize the walls and Simpson and collar ties were installed to add roof support.

At Libby Island, off Machiasport, the Generator Building roof was replaced. Much of the cedar roofing had been stripped by winter storms and old asphalt shingles under the cedar was providing minimal protection. New cedar shingles were transported to the island by helicopter and then installed.