Category: News

Workday: Historic Ships In Baltimore – September 7, 2024

Lightship Chesapeake

The lightship Chesapeake received a little TLC from Chapter and Museum volunteers  on September 7th. There were five volunteers total – three Chapter and two additional volunteers and based on the report provided they accomplished quite a bit. As you probably know, maintenance is a never-ending task on any maritime structure and this is true …

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Permanent link to this article: https://cheslights.org/workday-historic-ships-in-baltimore-september-7-2024/

2024 Preservation Schedule

2024 Project Scheduled Date(s) Notes Calvert Marine Museum September 21, 2024 Must be a Chapter Member to participate. Work will be at Cove Point Light Station in Calvert County. Historic Ships of Baltimore May 18, 2024 CANCELLED due to NO volunteers signing up to participate. Historic Ships of Baltimore June 8, 2024 Must be a …

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Permanent link to this article: https://cheslights.org/2024-preservation-schedule-1-2/

Lightship Crew recognition ceremony for Joseph I Bowling – October 14th, 2023

Permanent link to this article: https://cheslights.org/lighthouse-keeper-recognition-ceremony-wible-may-2022-2-2/

Lighthouse Keeper recognition ceremonies in Mathews County on October 7th, 2023

Lighthouse plaque

4th Mathews Grave Marker Event – 2023 On October 7, 2023 six lighthouse keepers buried in Mathews County, VA were honored with USLHS Grave Markers bringing the total honored in this “lighthouse keeper county” to 25.  The day began with March winds and then April showers with gradually clearing skies giving way to sunny conditions …

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Permanent link to this article: https://cheslights.org/lighthouse-keeper-recognition-ceremonies-october-2023/

Lighthouse Keeper recognition ceremony for Keepers Margaret & James Bowling – June 18th, 2023

     James and Margaret Bowling were one of many married couples who served together as Lighthouse Keepers, in their case at the Seven Foot Knoll Lighthouse near the entrance to the Patapsco River near Baltimore.  James had previously served as the Head Keeper of the Lower Craighill Channel Front Range Lighthouse from 1873 to 1874, …

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Permanent link to this article: https://cheslights.org/lighthouse-keeper-recognition-ceremony-wible-may-2022-2/

Lightship Crew Grave Marker Installation for Sven Olsen – April 2023

Seaman Sven Olsen Grave Memorial with the USLHS and Lightship Crew marker installed. Seaman Sven Olsen served on three Lightships during his time in the U. S. Lighthouse Service.  In April a Lighthouse Service Grave Marker was installed on his memorial marker in Holly Hill Memorial Gardens Baltimore.  The rules for the veteran’s section there …

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Permanent link to this article: https://cheslights.org/lightship-crew-grave-marker-installation-for-sven-olsen-april-2023/

Workday: Historic Ships in Baltimore – May 8, 2023

National Historic Landmark - Lightship Chesapeake

  It was a pleasant day to be out and about in Maryland this past Saturday so it was a nice day for the Chapter volunteers who showed up for the first preservation work day of 2023 on the Lightship Chesapeake in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor. The ship is in need of some TLC and that …

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Permanent link to this article: https://cheslights.org/workday-historic-ships-in-baltimore-may-8-2023/

Lightship Crew Grave Marker Installation for Capt John H. Tawes – December 2022

Despite the cold of December, we were able to honor Lightship and Lighthouse Tender Capt John H. Tawes with a U. S. Lighthouse Service Grave Marker.   Lightship Crew Capt John H. Tawes served as the Mate, then Master of Lightship #71 on the Diamond Shoals and Tail of the Horseshoe light stations from 1900 …

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Permanent link to this article: https://cheslights.org/lighthouse-keeper-installation-tawes-december-2022/

Historical Placards for Clay Island, Great Shoals and Sharkfin Shoal Lighthouses provided to the Skipjack Heritage Museum

The last Lighthouse Historical Displays of 2022 were provided to the Skipjack Heritage Museum on Deal Island in Chance, MD.  These three displays tell the histories of the Clay Island, Sharkfin Shoal and Great Shoals lighthouses in the upper Tangier Sound of Maryland’s Eastern Shore.   The Skipack Museum already had a large model of …

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Permanent link to this article: https://cheslights.org/historical-placards-for-stingray-point-and-windmill-point-lighthouses-provided-to-the-deltaville-maritime-museum-2/

Workday: Historic Ships in Baltimore – November 5, 2022

National Historic Landmark - Lightship Chesapeake

Four volunteers showed up on a bright clear November day to do a little work on the Lightship Chesapeake. This was the largest work crew from the Chapter to work on the National Historic Landmark up in Baltimore since the Pandemic slowed things down. It will be a surprise to no one that it involved …

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Permanent link to this article: https://cheslights.org/workday-historic-ships-in-baltimore-november-5-2022/

Can you support the preservation of Thomas Point Shoal Lighthouse via our on-line Auction 14-21 September?

We are just a few weeks away from the big online auction to benefit Thomas Point Shoal Lighthouse to undertake preservation projects for this treasured National Historic Landmark. The A NIGHT FOR THE LIGHT Fundraiser auction will be live from Wednesday, September 14 at 8am (EST) until Wednesday, September 21 at 10 pm (EST). Items …

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Permanent link to this article: https://cheslights.org/can-you-support-the-preservation-of-thomas-point-shoal-lighthouse-via-our-on-line-auction-14-21-september/

Historical Placards for Stingray Point and Windmill Point Lighthouses provided to the Deltaville Maritime Museum

The Deltaville VA area is near the entrance to the Rappahannock River.  Also near the entrance to that river are the Stingray Point and Windmill Point lights.  Although both of the cottage-style screwpile lighthouses are gone, replaced by modern cement caisson style lights, their long history is not but it is fading.  To help residents …

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Permanent link to this article: https://cheslights.org/historical-placards-for-stingray-point-and-windmill-point-lighthouses-provided-to-the-deltaville-maritime-museum/

Historical Placards for Great Wicomico and Smith Point Lighthouses provided to the Reedville Fishermen’s Museum

The years first two indoor display placards were presented in May 2022. They included the Great Wicomico and Smith Point Lighthouses. The Reedville Fishermen’s Museum integrated the two displays into their existing “Beacons On The Bay” exhibit. The Reedville Fishermen’s Museum is located at 504 Main St in Reedville, VA. See their web site for …

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Permanent link to this article: https://cheslights.org/historical-placard-great-wicomico-smith-point-lighthouses/

Lighthouse Keeper recognition ceremony for Keeper George M. Wible – May 14th, 2022

Lighthouse plaque

The Chesapeake Bay was home to a large number of lighthouses.  Each one was maintained by a dedicated group of public servants, Lighthouse Keepers.  One of these public servants, Keeper George M. Wible, was honored on Saturday May 14th in Crisfield, MD. The chapter installed the first U. S. Lighthouse Service marker of 2022 at …

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Permanent link to this article: https://cheslights.org/lighthouse-keeper-recognition-ceremony-wible-may-2022/

Lighthouse Keeper recognition ceremony for Keeper John A. Phillips – November 6th, 2021

Lighthouse plaque

It was a beautiful Saturday at the Loudon Park Cemetery in Baltimore.  The family and friends of Keeper John Phillips gathered for the U. S. Lighthouse Service Grave Marker dedication ceremony to honor his service as a Lighthouse Keeper from 1869 to 1877.  His grave marker was installed by a family member with an assist …

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Permanent link to this article: https://cheslights.org/lighthouse-keeper-recognition-ceremony-phillips-november-2021/

Workday: Cove Point Lighthouse March 19, 2022

Cove Point Light Station

After two years volunteers returned to Cove Point to do a little touch up work on the porch of the keeper’s house. It was a small crew of four people who showed up on a sunny and breezy Saturday. The museum has just completed replacing the old, battered chain link fence that stands between the …

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Permanent link to this article: https://cheslights.org/workday-cove-point-lighthouse-march-19-2022/

Keepers Mascot: Charlie Martin

Keeper Mascot Charlie Martin

Mascot #128 is Charlie Martin. members Eric andSusan provided this info: Charlie is an all-black, cat. He was about 7 months old when we adopted him two years ago. We picked him out of the bunch because we learned that black cats are the least adopted. One of Charlie’s favorite spots to regally sit is …

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Permanent link to this article: https://cheslights.org/keepers-mascot-charlie-martin/

New on Our Site!

Breaking News

Latest information on our website!

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Historical Placards: York River Lighthouses in November 2021- York Spit, Tue Marshes, Pages Rocks and Bells Rock.

Photos by: Steve Ormsby, President of the Watermen’s Museum   York County Sign Shop Lead Daniel Howard featured in two of the photos 2021 Outdoor Lighthouse Historical Displays Installed  by Programs Chair Greg Krawczyk The Lighthouse Historical Display program has a board-approved annual budget for both its indoor displays and outdoor displays.  During the third …

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Permanent link to this article: https://cheslights.org/historical-placard-displays-yorktown/

Lighthouse Keeper recognition ceremony for Keepers William M. Yeatman & William Yeatman on Saturday September 25th 2021

Lighthouse plaque

    Southern Maryland Lighthouse Keepers Honored by Greg Krawczyk St. Mary’s County is home to a number of lighthouses, located in the Potomac River and directly on the Chesapeake Bay. Two keepers of these lighthouses, William M. Yeatman and William Yeatman , were honored on Saturday September 25, 2021. The Chapter installed U. S. …

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Permanent link to this article: https://cheslights.org/lighthouse-yeatman-gravemarker-ceremony-september/

Keepers Mascot: George Leikam

2021FallKeeperMascot

Mascot 127 is George Leikam. Owner Mary provided this info: George Leikam is a golden, shih tzu with an intense personality that came to me through a road trip from the East. George is 7 years old now and is perpetual motion. He chases balls, chews water bottles and is constantly wanting more playtime. His …

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Permanent link to this article: https://cheslights.org/keepers-mascot-george-leikam/

Thomas Point Shoal Lighthouse Forever Stamp Issued!

On a rainy day in Annapolis, Maryland, the Chesapeake Chapter celebrated the U.S. Postal Service dedication of the Thomas Point Shoal Lighthouse Forever Stamp. The stamp is part of a set of five Mid-Atlantic Lighthouses. Along with Thomas Point Shoal in Maryland it also features, Montauk Point, New York; Harbor of Refuge, Delaware; Navesink, New …

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Permanent link to this article: https://cheslights.org/thomas-point-shoal-lighthouse-forever-stamp-issued/

Keepers Mascot: Moana Elliott

Mascot 126 is Moana Elliott. Owner Jim provided this info: Moana is a Snowshoe cat, and, like her ancestors the Siamese, is apointed cat, meaning she is short-haired with light-colored areas in seal or blue, four white feet and blue eyes. Moana came into our lives in September of 2017 when someone left her secured …

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Permanent link to this article: https://cheslights.org/keepers-mascot-moana-elliott/

Historical Placard: Greenbury Point Lighthouse August 2020

Greenbury Point Lighthouse Placard

The Greenbury Point Lighthouse indoor placard was presented in August 2020. It will be displayed in the crew lounge at the U.S. Coast Guard Station in Annapolis, Maryland

Permanent link to this article: https://cheslights.org/historical-placard-greenbury-point-lighthouse-us-coast-guard-station-august-2020/

Historical Placard: Thomas Point Shoal Lighthouse August 2020

The Thomas Point Shoal Lighthouse indoor placard was presented in August 2020. It is displayed in the U.S. Coast Guard Station Crew Lounge in Annapolis, Maryland.  

Permanent link to this article: https://cheslights.org/historical-placard-thomas-point-shoal-lighthouse-indoor-us-coast-guard-station-august-2020/

Keeper Bio: Raabe, William

Date of Service: 1890-1925 1855:  Born June 27th in Germany. 1869:  Immigrates to the United States from Germany. 1880:  Occupation is listed as a Sailor living in Baltimore with his wife, Annie, in the U.S. Census. 1890–1891:  Serves as First Assistant at Seven Foot Knoll Lighthouse, MD. His salary is $420/year. 1891:  Serves as First …

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Permanent link to this article: https://cheslights.org/keeper-bio-william-raabe/

Keeper Bio: Talbott, Joseph Francis

Keepers

Date of Service: 1883-1922 1857:  Born December 10th to in Anne Arundel County, MD. 1876-1879: Serves as an apprentice as a Brass Finisher in Baltimore, MD., at J.H. Register & Sons. 1879-1883:   Works as a Fireman with the United States Lighthouse Service. 1883:   Serves as Assistant Keeper at Currituck Beach Lighthouse, Corolla, NC., from February …

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Permanent link to this article: https://cheslights.org/keeper-bio-joseph-francis-talbott/

Keeper Bio: Wingate, Henry Clay

Date of Service: 1902 – 1927   1862:  Born May 19 to parents Thomas and Mary Wingate in Dorchester County, MD. 1880: Occupation is listed as Sailor in the U.S. Census 1889:  Henry is discharged from the Army on November 16 (Spanish American War) 1890: Marries Nettie J. Dodge. 1900: Occupation is listed as day …

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Permanent link to this article: https://cheslights.org/keeper-bio-henry-clay-wingate/

Lighthouse Keeper recognition ceremony for Keepers Noah and Nancy Lawson – May 8, 2021

Lighthouse plaque

  Our second ceremony of the day on May 8th 2021 at 2pm and was the “second” one in more ways than one.  It was the second one that day, the second one in Asbury Cemetery, plus it was for the second husband-wife team we have honored, Noah and Nancy Lawson.  Noah Lawson had been …

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Permanent link to this article: https://cheslights.org/lighthouse-keeper-recognition-ceremony-lawson-may-2021/

Lighthouse Keeper recognition ceremony for Keeper Charles Tyler – May 8, 2021

Lighthouse plaque

The ceremony was held at noon on May 8th 2021 for Keeper Charles C. Tyler who is buried in Asbury Ceremony in Crisfield.   Starting in 1905 he served at five different lights, Thimble Shoal, Great Shoals, Janes Island, Watts Island and Holland Island Bar, some more than once as both an Assistant Keeper then later …

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Permanent link to this article: https://cheslights.org/lighthouse-keeper-recognition-ceremony-tyler-may-2021/