Restore the Door at Harbor Lighthouse!

Hello. It's Susan from the New London Maritime Society.

I'm asking your help to restore the magnificent iron door at New London Harbor Light. This massive door, installed in 1833, is rusting. The rust is making the door difficult to open, and the metal is starting to spall all along the perimeter.

Harbor Lighthouse is the oldest and tallest lighthouse on Long Island Sound. Established in 1760, the current tower dates from 1801. Repairs made in 1833 included the installation of this door. (This was an exterior door until the lighthouse keeper's house was built in 1863 and connected to the tower by an enclosed walkway. The connecting walkway was removed in 1930. ) The iron door was repainted as a part of our 'Restore the Lighthouse' work in 2014, and we repainted the door again just last year. However, at that time we recognized the metal door and its surroundings were beginning to flake.

We have asked Wrought Ironworks to do the restoration.

This week we received their estimate: $4,041, which sounds doable -- but only with your help! Four hundred-&-four donations of $10, one hundred donations of $40.41 each, or forty-one donations of $100 would do it! Every gift is appreciated.

We'll need 50% to begin the work, which then is estimated to take from 5-6 weeks.

Harbor Lighthouse -- still an active aid to navigation -- has defined the character of New London's coast for 263 years.

The lighthouse door's restoration not only ensures its physical longevity but also connects the present with the past. Let's keep the door open at this beloved landmark. Please help Restore the Door.