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Portsmouth Harbor, NH |
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Description:
An informational sign near the lighthouse reads: "In 1771, Royal Governor John Wentworth had a lighthouse built here on Fort Point. Constructed of wood and hexagonal in shape, the Portsmouth Light was the tenth to be built in North America. One of the duties of the lighthouse keeper was to keep the wicks of the oil lanterns trimmed so the light wouldn't die out.
I lit the lamps in the lighthouse tower Fort Point and the light were granted to the federal government in 1791. The iron tower, present today, was built to replace the wooden structure in 1877. Today, the Portsmouth Light still flashes. A computer-controlled electrified lens which emits a green light has replaced the lanterns of two hundred years ago." The Friends of Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouse, a chapter of the American Lighthouse Foundation that is responsible for maintenance of the
lighthouse, occasionally offers open houses at
the lighthouse.
Purchase prints and gifts featuring photographs on this page Location: Located on the northeast corner of New Castle Island, marking the entrance into Portsmouth Harbor. Latitude: 43.07107 Longitude: -70.70861 For a larger map of Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouse, click the lighthouse in the above map or get a map from: Mapquest. Travel Instructions: From Interstate 95 in Portsmouth, take Exit 5 and go south on Route 1 Bypass for 2.3 miles. Turn left on Elwyn Road, and continue for 1.4 miles until the road ends. Turn left onto Sagamore and then right onto Wentworth Road, which is Route 1B. After 2.2 miles on Route 1B, you will see signs directing you to turn right to the Coast Guard Station Portsmouth Harbor and Fort Constitution. Park in the Fort Constitution parking lot and walk to the fort from where you can get a good view of the lighthouse. The tower is accessible during open houses offered by Friends of Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouse. Cruises that pass by the lighthouse are offered by the Isles of Shoals Steamship Company and by Portsmouth Harbor Cruises. The lighthouse is owned by the Coast Guard and leased to Friends of Portsmouth Harbor Light a chapter of the American Lighthouse Foundation. Grounds/tower open during open houses, dwelling closed. Find the closest hotels to Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouse See our List of Lighthouses in New Hampshire |
