Fire Island Lighthouse

1. Fire Island Lighthouse Location

• Where was the Fire Island Lighthouse originally built?
  • Originally built to mark the western end of Fire Island, the lighthouse now stands approximately 5 miles from the inlet, due to the island’s infill from sand accumulation over the years.
• What is the Fire Island Lighthouse made of?
  • The lighthouse is built on a foundation of Connecticut River Blue stone.
  • The conical tower is painted white with four black bands.
• What is the history of the lighthouse's lens?
  • The original first-order Fresnel lens was installed in 1857 and replaced in 1933.
  • The original lens is on display in the lens building, adjacent to the tower.
  • The Fresnel lens was developed in the early 1800s for lighthouses by a French physicist to allow lighthouses to be visible from greater distances with much smaller equipment.
  • First order refers to the size of the lens, which stands at 12 feet tall and 6 feet wide.
• How is the Fire Island Lighthouse illuminated today?
  • Today, two counter-clockwise rotating 1,000-watt bulbs light the tower.
  • The rotation gives the appearance that the light flashes every 7.5 seconds.
  • The light is visible for over 20 miles.
• Can visitors climb the Fire Island Lighthouse?
  • Yes, visitors can climb the 182 steps to the top of the lighthouse tower.
  • From the top, visitors can see:
  • Fire Island
  • Long Island
  • On a clear day, the New York City skyline
• What can visitors see in the boathouse exhibit?
  • The boathouse onsite displays U.S. Coast Guard artifacts, including a surfboat used by the United States Lifesaving Service (USLSS).
  • The USLSS, or “surfmen” as they were known, were first stationed on Fire Island in 1848.
  • They rescued over 7,000 people between 1871 and 1915 alone.
• What additional exhibits are available at the Fire Island Lighthouse?
  • Additional exhibits illustrate:
  • The daily life of lighthouse keepers through photographs, memorabilia, and artifacts.
  • The history of the lighthouse and its preservation.
• Is the Fire Island Lighthouse historically recognized?
  • Yes, the lighthouse has been on the National Register of Historic Places since 1981.

2. Fire Island Lighthouse History

• Why is Fire Island significant?
  • Fire Island is a significant landmark for those arriving at the New York Harbor.
  • It was often the first sign of land for immigrants making the trans-Atlantic journey at the turn of the 20^th century.
• When was the original Fire Island Lighthouse built?
  • The original lighthouse was built as a 74-foot tower in 1826.
  • It was ineffective due to its lack of height.
  • The structure was demolished, and the stone was reused to rebuild the current lighthouse in 1857.
• What did the lighthouse originally look like?
  • The red brick tower was originally painted a creamy yellow color.
  • The black and white striped markings were added in 1891.
• When was the lighthouse decommissioned?
  • The lighthouse was decommissioned in 1974.
  • The site was declared to be within the boundaries of the National Seashore.
  • However, the Parks Service did not have the funds to properly preserve and maintain the site.
• What is the Fire Island Lighthouse Preservation Society (FILPS)?
  • The Fire Island Lighthouse Preservation Society (FILPS) was formed in 1982 to raise funds for the preservation of the lighthouse.
• Why was there strong public support for the lighthouse's preservation?
  • After the lighthouse was decommissioned in 1974, the only navigational light in the bay was a small strobe light on the Robert Moses Tower.
  • Public support for the preservation and re-commissioning of the lighthouse was strong.
• When did the lighthouse go back into operation?
  • Over one million dollars were raised, and the lighthouse went back into action in 1986.
• Who manages the lighthouse today?
  • In 1996, FILPS took control of the management and maintenance of the associated exhibits.
  • This helped to reduce the financial burden on the National Parks budget.
  • In 2006, FILPS took full control of lighthouse management as well.
• Is the Fire Island Lighthouse still used for navigation?
  • Yes, the lighthouse remains on navigational charts as a private aid to navigation.
  • It is managed by FILPS, not the U.S. Coast Guard.

3. Tours of the Fire Island Lighthouse

• Are tours of the Fire Island Lighthouse available?
  • Yes, tours of the lighthouse are available daily.
  • Visitors must be at least 42 inches tall to climb the tower stairs.
• Are special tours available?
  • Yes, special tours may be arranged in advance for groups, including:
  • Sunset tours
  • School group tours, which include:
  • A tour of the lighthouse tower
  • A U.S. Lifesaving Service lecture and demonstration
  • A nature walk, including the boathouse and lens house
• Are there special events at the Fire Island Lighthouse?
  • Yes, special events are ongoing at the lighthouse and keeper’s quarters.
  • Past events have included:
  • Live music performances
  • Happy hour sunset tours
  • Car shows
  • Art shows
  • Tours for veterans and other special groups
• What is the Lightkeeper’s Behind the Scenes tour?
  • The Lightkeeper’s Behind the Scenes tour takes place monthly.
• Are there special evening tours?
  • Yes, special evening tours take place monthly.
• Are there historical re-enactments at the site?
  • Yes, during the summer months, the site offers:
  • Historical re-enactments of the U.S. Life Saving Service’s beach apparatus drills.

Captree Island, NY 11702, Phone: 631-661-4876