What's Going On: Race Rock Light needs some TLC

For all of you who have admired Race Rock Light from afar, as well as the many who have fished the choppy water there on boats or directly off the lighthouse itself, be advised that this iconic landmark needs some help. The metal railing of the granite lighthouse is in bad shape, all rusted and broken, making it dangerous for passengers to alight from boats to pay a visit. The New London Maritime Society, which regularly scheduled trips to Race Rock Light, had to recently forgo any more tourist trips until repairs are complete, according to Susan Tamulevich, executive director of the nonprofit that also operates the historic U.S. Custom House in New London. "We can't do any trips with the railing in such a damaged condition," she said. Presumably, others out for day trips who often fish from Race Rock Light are not safe either if they try to disembark there. The good news is that Tamulevich has identified a local company, Stonington Steel of North Stonington, to fabricate a new railing as well as install it. But the cost is about $115,000. Still, the Maritime Society is lucky in that the Long Island-based Ludwig Family Foundation recently gave the organization $100,000, an amount that came "out of the blue," Tamulevich said, because a young member of the family was enamored with lighthouses. Unfortunately, the money won't cover the entire railing-replacement project because the Maritime Society had to use about $30,000 on other repairs and related expenses at Race Rock. The maritime society also owns Ledge Light and Harbor Light, both in New London So the Maritime Society has launched a fundraising campaign to help cover installation expenses. It is hoping to raise $25,000 by the end of July, but had received less than $3,000 by July 3. The GoFundMe fundraiser can be found at https://www.gofundme.com/. "It's gonna be quite lovely and super sturdy," Tamulevich said in a phone interview. Historically, Race Rock was the site of many shipwrecks due to dangerous rocks in Long Island Sound as well as tricky currents. To help guide mariners, Race Rock Light was built on a reef after a seven-year construction process completed in 1878. It was designed by Francis Hopkinson Smith and is considered a marvel of 19th century engineering and design. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2005, six years before the Maritime Society took ownership. Race Rock Light is no longer manned by the U.S. Coast Guard, but the agency recommended to Tamulevich that the railing repair was the most critical of Race Rock's maintenance issues. Another project to repoint the lighthouse's granite will be put off to a later date, she added. "Stonington Steel is remaking the original design in stainless steel, which means it should last forever," Tamulevich reported in a Maritime Society newsletter last month. "They're building it onshore right now." She said the railing will be painted black, per the direction of the National Park Service. Installation is expected to begin in late July. Tamulevich said she visited the fabrication facilities at Stonington Steel, owned by Daniel Lilly, and was impressed with their capabilities. They seem to specialize in decorative steel railings as well as more industrial uses, but I had never heard of the company, so I called Lilly but didn't get an immediate call back. In any case, it's great to see two local organizations hooking up for such an unusual and much-needed project that will bring the imposing Race Rock Light into a new era. For all of us who have spent time enjoying the Race Rock fishing grounds, not to mention the imposing and stately lighthouse itself, it will be nice to see the familiar sight back in top repair. Fundraising has become difficult in today's era of tumultuous politics and uncertain financial turmoil. Several other local projects have been stalled for lack of money, including the U.S. Coast Guard Museum This seems like small potatoes compared with that massive project, but it's emblematic of New London's importance in the world of lighthouses that it is people here, rather than folks from Long Island, who are being asked to save the day. Lee Howard is The Day's business editor. To reach him, email l.howard@theday.com.