About The

Cuckolds

RESCUE PLANS

A Bit of History

In June 2004, under the National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act of 2000, the Federal government invited interested and eligible entities to apply to acquire the Cuckolds Fog Signal and Light Station.  Deemed excess to the United States Coast Guard, and threatened with destruction, the Cuckolds was at a critical turning point.  In August 2004, a small, committed band of local citizens began the arduous task of developing an application to bring the Cuckolds back to our community.   

Over a two-year period, through a competitive, multi-stage application and review process, our local team developed a 542 page, two-volume application that then required sign-off from eight different Federal and State agencies and/or sub-agencies.  In April 2006, Secretary of the Interior Gail Norton signed the letter authorizing the local Cuckolds Fog Signal and Light Station Council to take control of the Cuckolds.  On May 8, 2006, in a ceremony in Boston, Gerry Gamage, on behalf of our community, accepted the deed to the Cuckolds.   

Now it’s ours.  And now the real work begins!

Rescue Plan

In order to accommodate the Council’s fundraising, seasonal construction limitations, and availability of volunteers, the Council’s restoration and rehabilitation plan has bee divided into phases:

Phase I:           Site Inspection & Preparation, and Restoration Plan                           Development & Initial Stabilization
Phase II:          Restoration & Infrastructure Rebuilding
Phase III:         Facilities Rehabilitation
Phase IV:         Interpretive Education & Revenue Generation                             Activities

Phase I            Site Inspection & Preparation, Restoration                             Planning & Initial Stabilization

• Inspection, condition assessment
• Prepare rehabilitation drawings, plan 5-year preservations/rehabilitation amd construction schedule, determine materials requirements and prepare bid packages
• Initial site protection and Cuckolds Light and Island Stabilization
  • Site Clean-up
  • Repair/replace access ways
  • Roof repair
  • Window repair
  • Ceiling and deck repair/replacement to include iron railings
  • Brick and stone work
  • Plaster repair and painting

Phase II          Restoration & Infrastructure Rebuilding

• Clean, repair fresh water cistern, recreate gutters and cistern supply lines
• Reopen fresh water well, install pump and supply lines
• Install holding tank, pump out, and sewage treatment system
• Install diesel powered 25 KW electric generator and 2 twenty gallon fuel storage tanks
• Finalize construction plans and secure permits
• Rebuild boat house, exterior to be historically correct 31'6" x 15'4"

Phase III          Facilities Rehabilitation

• Rebuild tool house, exterior to be historically correct at 15'5" x 28'
• Rebuild keeper's dwelling, exterior to behistorically correct according to drawings dated 1891, modified in 1907, and historic photographsat 39' x 28'
• Replace windows and doors in remaining brick structure

Phase IV          Prepare to Open Facility for Visitors and Program                              Activities, Launch Interpretive Education

• Build out dwelling interior to include:
  • Historic suite with in suite bathroom, fireplace, breakfast nook and Pullmankitchen
  • Two sleeping lofts
  • A meeting room with fireplace
  • Kitchen/dining area to accommodate up to 16 people
  • Caretaker's suite
  • Public toilets and shower rooms
  • Install instructional materials, museum pieces, tools, navigational equipment, supplies
  • Furnish historic suite, period decor and contemporary amenities
• Landscaping and walkways
• Launch new or restored peapod and rehabilitate moorings
• First aid equipment and water safety equipment (life rings, life jackets, VHF, etc.)