Lighthouse Museum Campaign
What's Next? A welcoming and accessible Visitor Center!
More than 90 years ago the Stonington Historical Society stepped forward to preserve the 1840 Stonington Harbor Light and create a museum dedicated to Stonington's history.
The Lighthouse Museum has stood as an inspiring beacon for generations of students, visitors, and residents of Southeastern Connecticut and beyond.
It's time to take another step forward. It's time to advance our standing as a museum that is open to all, and will inspire future generations.
Built in 1840, the Lighthouse Museum is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is the first lighthouse in the United States to become a maritime museum. It preserves the history of Stonington and southeastern Connecticut and endures as a compelling feature of the cultural landscape. Exhibits explore an extraordinary collection of artifacts that illustrate nearly 400 years of Stonington’s history. The Lighthouse marks not only the entrance to Stonington Harbor, but explores the times when Stonington seamen like Nathaniel Palmer and Edmund Fanning were charting the world; when Stonington served as the nexus for all steamship and rail travelers between New York City and points north; and when Stonington could claim credit for rebuffing two British attacks.
The Restoration In Progress
We have made significant improvements to the building’s structural and environmental conditions. New climate controls, electrical systems and wiring have been installed. Structural supports have been reinforced, and barriers against moisture and insects will keep harmful elements out.
The Visitor Center will create a welcoming and accessible museum for the 21st century. It will offer the possibility of a more dynamic museum with changing and expanded exhibits that represent diverse voices that will be accessible to all. Improvements to the landscape of one of the few remaining green spaces in Stonington Borough will create a community terrace, granite benches, and significant grading improvements for ease of use, and off-street ADA-accessible parking.
Our Strongest Supporters Help Make it Possible
Grania & John Ackley III
Michael & Ann Adair
John & Judy Alexander
Anonymous
Ms. Frances C. Ashley
Mrs. Nancy Bates
Jill and David Bauer
Ms. Shirley Beal
Randy Bean & Beth Black
Theodore & Diana Beck
Wendy W. Benchley
Mrs. Alan P. Bentz
Hans Bertram-Nothnagel
Michael Blair
Alan & Ann Blanchard
Louisa Boatwright
Mary T. Boatwright
Kevin Bowdler & Anne Fix
James Boylan
William Breed
David Brown & Scott Lane
Stillman Brown & Meg Raftis
Sylvia Brown
Josephine R. Bump
Gary Buonanno & Susan Danaher Buonanno
Russ & Karin Burgess
Betsy Carr
Melanie Cava & Todd Drevo
Sam & Beth Chapin
Chelsea Groton Foundation
Mr. Charles T. Clark
James Coker
Richard & Lois Cole
Anne Connerton
Cheryl & Charles Danis
Davis Selected Advisors
Debevoise and Plimpton
Michael & Dudley Del Balso
Arthur & Wynne Delmhorst
Michele & John Delmhorst
Cornelia Dickinson
Christopher & Barbara Dixon
Bob Snyder
Dodson Boatyard
Chris Donohue
Michael & Genevieve Doody
Ms. Penelope Duckham
Wendy & David Eck
Cynthia Elliott & Doug Rice
Brooke & Todd Elmgren
Mr. & Mrs. David Erskine
David Estes & Astrid Meghrigian
Donald Fiore
Jean Fiore & Patrick Keenan
Marcia Fix
Kathleen Flaherty
Mary Wolf & William E. Fowler III
John & Susan Fullerton
Alessandro & Nora Fusina
Diane Geer
Phyllis Weaver & Gary Gerstein
Richard & Koko Gildersleeve
Marc & Barbara Ginsberg
Glenn & Pamela Gordinier
William Griffin
William R. Griffith
Brian & Allegra Griffiths
Bradford & Susan Hart
Keith Fontaine
Pamela Hastings
Charles & Susan Hatton
Barbara Petty Heuer
Peyton C. Horne
Christopher & Nancy Houlihan
Mary Hughes
James P. Verhalen Family Foundation
Hal Johnson and Jane Leipold
Jane Johnston
Lucia & Rodney Johnstone
George & Lynn Kimmerle
Patricia Kitchings
Deborah Kotchen
Lam Partners
Saren Langmann
Richard Larkin & Laurie Cameron
Paul & Julia Leeming
Amanda Lindberg
Dr. & Mrs. Bruce Littman
Ann Lobdell
Spike Lobdell
Bevis Longstreth
Julia and David Loomis
Kate & Tim Love
Lynch Family
Evelynn & Doug Lyons
William Malloy
Steven & Judy Martin
Jack and Eileen Morehouse
Mason’s Island Marina
Alan and Janet Vaskas
Mrs. Prudence Fairbrother Meehan
Bob Mercer & Anne Page
David Meredith
Paul Merrill
Robert & Virginia Montgomery
Marguerite Moore
Thomas & Laura Moran
Bill Morris
Caroline & Scott Muller
Elizabeth Adams Noyes
Lisa Konicki
Ocean Community Chamber Foundation
Anna Maria & Wright Palmer
Henry R. Palmer, III
Joyce & Francis Pandolfi
Anthony & Jane Pellegrini
Jane Perry
Pfizer Foundation Matching Gifts Program
John Pereira
PMW Marine
Nicholas F. Potter
Diane Pulito
David & Cheryl Purvis
Stephen Record
Mary Kay & Van W. Riley
Alex Roepers
- Craig & Joan M. Rowley
Thomas & Candace Sanford
Jane Schaefer
Peter & Eleanor Schaffer
Maureen Sievers
Steven J. Slutzky
David Vincent Smalley
David Smith
Kathleen & Larry Snoddon
Mrs. Joan Soons
Dr. Nora Spens
Marsha Standish
Michael T. Sullivan
Robert Suppicich
John and Polly Timken Jr.
Barbara Timken
The Hon. Danielle Chesebrough
Rob and Deborah Valenti
Catherine & David Vargas
Richard Farmer & Vivie von Walstrom
Stephen Wade
Mr. G.W. Blunt White II
Harry & Liz White
Katherine S. White
Mr. William Blunt White
Mr. & Mrs. Joseph L. Williams, III
Michael M. Wiseman & Helen H. Garten
Muriel Wydler
Edward York
“Stonington means a great deal to me. The Lighthouse is just part of home; I know it inside and out.”
Prue Fairbrother MeehanDonor to the Lighthouse Museum Campaign
What’s Next? A Fully Accessible Visitor Center & Seaside Terrace
The footprint of our planned addition measures less than 500 square feet, but will create almost 1,000 square feet of usable space thanks to a finished basement. The main floor will house a Visitor Center providing access to the entire first floor of the Museum for those with physical challenges. New and expanded exhibits will incorporate original scholarship and feature interactive and multimedia components, allowing us greater flexibility to showcase Stonington’s history. Improvements to the grounds will include an inviting terrace, granite benches, walking paths and ADA accessible parking.
ARCHITECTS
Oudens-Ello Architecture is a Boston-based firm with extensive museum and historic restoration experience. The Stonington Historical Society chose Oudens-Ello for its nuanced and adaptable approach to design. They are well-versed in the restoration and preservation of existing structures and the unique collections within them. Past projects include work for the Mystic Seaport Museum and the Martha’s Vineyard Museum.
DESIGN & APPROVAL
Beginning in 2012, Oudens-Ello conducted a complete inventory of the structural and environmental issues impacting the Lighthouse and created a plan for historic restoration and universal access. Design work followed and several revisions were made incorporating the suggestions of the community. In May of 2017, the Stonington Borough Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously approved our plan, thus allowing the Stonington Historical Society to proceed with the restoration of the Lighthouse and construction of the Visitor Center.
COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP
To manage the restoration, and construction of the addition, we have recruited a dedicated Lighthouse Museum Committee that includes architects, marketing and public relations professionals, historic preservation experts, neighbors, and other community members who care deeply about this project.
PHASE I DESIGN & CONSTRUCTION
- October 2019: Groundbreaking
- November 2019 – April 2020: Interior & Exterior Restoration
- July 2020: Phase I Project Completion
PHASE II PROJECTED BUDGET
- Fully Accessible Visitor Center
- Fully Accessible Restroom
- Handicap Accessible Parking
- Seaside Terrace & Landscaping
- Walking Paths
- Multipurpose Room
- Total: $1,450,000
THE PLANS
Your Legacy
The Stonington Historical Society is deeply appreciative of the widespread generosity in support of the Lighthouse Museum Campaign. With your help we successfully raised $1,900,000 for the Lighthouse Project to date. There is still much to do, and this worthy effort could be your legacy. Contact Stonington Historical Society’s Advancement Associate Alexis Smith to learn more about this project and how your family’s leadership gift may be forever remembered as an important contribution to the character of our seaside neighborhoods.
- Lighthouse Park is reserved for a gift of $1,000,000+
- Visitor Center is reserved for a gift of $500,000+
- Lighthouse Tower is reserved for a gift of $250,000+
- Courtyard is reserved for a gift of $250,000+
- Exhibit Rooms are reserved for gifts of $100,000+
