Tuesday, August 7, 2012

Happy National Lighthouse Day


It was on this day in 1789, that Congress approved an Act for the establishment and support of lighthouse, beacons, buoys and public piers. In Celebration of the 200th Anniversary of the signing of the Act and the commissioning of the first Federal lighthouse, Congress passed a resolution which designated August 7, 1989 as National Lighthouse Day. Read more here.

4 comments:

humbird said...

Thank you for these images - I am so incredibly drawn to lighthouses.
These strange buildings in remote, wild and beautiful locations. Some that look as though they are forged from the very rocks that rise from the oceans.
The evocative images on every coastline and the stories that are told of them throughout the years have fired the imaginations of many an artist, author and musician, keeping them alive long after most of them have been made redundant. For they hark back to times long ago where seafarers relied on them for their very existence as they were guided through harsh, treacherous waters to safe harbour.

I have often contemplated the life of a lighthouse keeper (and his family) in days gone by. Committed to keeping the lights ablaze night after night without fail through many challenges.
The often hostile environment and difficult, uncomfortable living conditions must have been hard, especially on the more isolated stations.
Yet, regardless of the difficulties, I know of many who tell that this very lifestyle was one that they would never have swapped for another.

Today, we can afford the romantic luxury of daydreaming about these beautiful icons of another time. And we are ever so grateful that many of them have been preserved by hard working non-profit heritage organisations so that these amazing structures and their histories will continue to endure for future generations.

Content in a Cottage said...

Humbird...

What a beautiful tribute to the keepers of the light.

xo, Rosemary

tammy j said...

can you imagine what it must have been like to be on the dark black sea and suddenly see the beacon of light welcoming you and warning you of dangers near the land.
oh but how dear it must have been.
some of those men had been at sea for months on end i would think.
i love your blog. i so often learn something new. thank you!

Content in a Cottage said...

Tammy...I think it's nice we have a special day to honor the keepers of the beacons on the seas. This is the first year I learned about this day of recognition.
xo, Rosemary