About two and a half miles off the coast of Maine lies the Seguin Island Light Station, the state’s second-oldest lighthouse. Commissioned by Geroge Washingon, the initial lighthouse, made of wood, was erected in 1795. The following year, the first lightkeeper, Major John Polereczky, took his post.
By 1817, a new tower made of stone was built in its place, and, two years later, the new structure took the place of the original. In 1873, the 53-foot structure that still stands today, including its cutting-edge Fresnel lens–which refracts light both horizontally and vertically, increasing illumination–was installed.
But the steep height of the tower soon proved a challenge, and a raised tramway was constructed to travel the half-mile route up. Today, the tramway is the only one still in operation in the state.
Inside the lighthouse museum, learn about the fascinating history of the island and what it’s like to be a lightkeeper.
