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| April 25, 1998 Southern Maryland Lighthouse Trip: |
| St. Clements,
Cove Pt., Drum
Pt., Pt. Lookout, Cedar Pt.,
Piney Point
by Dwight McMakin What a wonderful day in April to see lighthouses. About 50 of us traveled to St. Mary’s County, MD to visit the outstanding exhibits this area has for we lighthouse fans. Our first stop was the St. Clements Island - Potomac River Museum. This outstanding facility has a unique collection of items from the earliest habitation of Maryland. The displays helped us see just what it must have been like to live during this period. They also had several models of the lighthouse that was on St. Clements Island. Very interesting presentation. Then we went to Piney Point light and saw the man with no pants. To see him yourself you will just have to go visit this lighthouse that is one of the earliest built by John Donahoo (1836). One of the many interesting things we learned was that the ground around the light is so damp that the water wicks up the lighthouse about 20 feet. Talk about ring around the collar. Don’t let my lighthearted remarks give you the impression that this exhibit is not significant. I will always remember my first visit here. This lighthouse is an excellent example of the type built by Mr. Donahoo and it is in wonderful condition as it was completely rebuilt several years ago. The lightkeepers' quarters are so well preserved that people actually live in the house and the whole setting is just beautiful and very photogenic. Can we have a lighthouse trip without food? I don’t think so! When we got to Calvert Museum, Ruth and Jerry Wahl, the trip coordinators, provided us with gourmet sandwiches and salads. Then it was time to see the outstanding exhibits at the Museum and climb inside the Drum Point screwpile lighthouse reconstructed on the dock. Some of our crew actually stayed overnight in the lighthouse (you will hear more about this adventure in out next newsletter). Thanks, Ruth and Jerry. It was a grand day and a great outing. I enjoyed this trip immensely. For more information about
the Volunteer Preservation Program |
2001(c)
Chesapeake Chapter, USLHS. All rights reserved.