“Lighthouse in my Life” by Philmore Wass is the best book I have read for understanding what it was like to grow up in a lighthouse family on a remote island. Philmore’s father, Hervey, served as head keeper of Libby Island Lighthouse for twenty-one years, after transferring from Whitehead Island in 1919. Philmore and his brother Irwin thrived on Libby Island, enjoying countless adventures through pulling lobster traps, hunting waterfowl, and exploring shipwrecks. One of Philmore’s sisters, Winona, did not relish life on Libby Island quite so much. In fact, when asked to make a tape about her life on Libby, she replied “I don’t want to talk about Libby Island. I hated the place.” The isolated island life, with few children for playmates, was clearly not meant for everyone.

Keeper Wass and his wife Mabel were desirous that their children receive a good education. Although a few itinerant teachers lived on the island now and then, for many years Mabel rented a cottage in Machias so her children could attend public school. Although this meant living apart for much of the year, the family always enjoyed their summers together on the island. Philmore didn’t suffer from the schooling he received, as he went on to get a Ph.D. from Columbia and retired as a professor of Business Administration at the University of Connecticut.