Lighthouse celebrates its 150th

The Cape May Lighthouse, one of the oldest continually operating lighthouses in the country, was first lit Oct. 31, 1859.
In honor of the beacon’s 150th anniversary, the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts (MAC) is holding a celebration from noon to 2 p.m. Oct. 31 at Cape May Point State Park on Lighthouse Ave. off Sunset Blvd.
The official ceremony kicks off at 1 p.m. with brief remarks on the Cape May Lighthouse’s history and costumed reenactors including General George G. Meade who will be accompanied by his honor guard and Dr. Emlen Physick.
Afterwards, the candles on the Lighthouse’s birthday cake will be blown out and the cake along, with light refreshments, will be served to the public.
There will also be storytelling on the grounds, music and book signings.
In addition to the events, admission to climb the lighthouse will be reduced to $1.50 for adults and children all day. The Lighthouse is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The current tower is the third structure to be built on the site. The first, erected in 1823, stood 68 feet tall and sat on land that is now covered by water, about 100 yards off the current shoreline.
Undermined by erosion, the tower fell into the sea. The second lighthouse was constructed in 1847. Due to its poor design, this 78-foot tower was eventually demolished.
In 1857, the Army Corps of Engineers began construction of the present lighthouse. The cost of the 157-foot tower, plus two keepers’ dwellings, was about $40,000.
The tower is made of brick, with both an exterior and interior wall. The outside wall is conical, with a diameter of 27 feet at the base and 10 feet, 6 inches at the top. The cylindrical interior wall supports the 199-step, cast-iron spiral staircase.
Both walls rise 145 feet to the watch room and outside gallery (current viewing platform), which sit beneath the lantern at the top, an active aid to navigation that is still operated by the U.S. Coast Guard.
In 1983, MAC expressed interest in restoring the Cape May Lighthouse to its original condition. In December 1986, MAC leased the Lighthouse from the State of New Jersey, with the mission of restoring, maintaining, and opening the structure to the public.
MAC opened the ground floor to the public on July 18, 1987, and the full tower on May 28, 1988. Visitors can now climb this historic beacon’s 199 steps to the watch gallery for an unparalleled view of the Jersey Cape and Atlantic Ocean.
For information about MAC’s year-round schedule of tours, festivals and special events, call 609-884-5404 or 800-275-4278, or visit www.capemaymac.org.