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Posted April 19, 2007 14 Volunteers Repair & Ready Harbor of Refuge and Delaware Breakwater Lighthouses For Summer Tour Season
Judith Roales, president of the Foundation said, "We haven’t raised new money to pay for the more expensive deck yet, so it’s a strain on our regular operating budget. But keeping the lighthouse open to the public is our Number One priority, so we think this is the right thing to do." While most of the volunteers worked on the decks on Saturday, a small contingent gave Harbor of Refuge and nearby Delaware Breakwater East End Lighthouse a mini-spring cleaning. The lights were swept out from lantern room to entry level, windows were washed, and small repairs were made. The resident osprey on the oil house at Breakwater Lighthouse objected to the invasion of her privacy, but otherwise the Foundation work day went smoothly If you’ve ever gazed at the lighthouses from Cape Henlopen and wondered what they’re like inside, there’s only one way to find out. That’s to take a tour with the Delaware River & Bay Lighthouse Foundation. This season, they will offer nine Saturday tours to the lighthouses -- on May 19, June 2 and 16, July 7 and 21, August 4 and 18, September 15, and October 6. The tours go by boat to each lighthouse and include a narrated history of the structures and stories of the keeper’s life. You get to climb to the top of the lighthouses and stand on the exterior walkways for an unmatched view of Delaware Bay, Cape Henlopen, and the Lewes beach area. At Delaware Breakwater East End Lighthouse, you can get up close to the historic 1885 Fresnel lens. At Harbor of Refuge Lighthouse, you can inspect a more modern aerobeacon optic and see the large solar panels that power a working backup light. You’ll also learn about the two massive breakwater walls on which the lighthouses stand and see first hand how powerful storm waves have carried away foundation stones weighing up to ten tons each. Price of the three-hour tour is $75 for those who are not members of the Foundation, $65 for members. New memberships are welcome. Reservations are a must because participation is limited by Coast Guard controls on the number of people on the boat. Any profit from the tours is used by the Foundation to continue its maintenance and preservation of Delaware lighthouses. Call 302-644-7046 for reservations and additional information. 216This web site is maintained by Delaware Quilts |