ABOUT US

The “Friends of Ned’s Point lighthouse” is a newly formed 501 (3c) corporation in Massachusetts. The sole purpose of this organization is to raise funds in order to provide certified contractors and materials for the maintenance and restoration of Ned’s Point Lighthouse in Mattapoisett Massachusetts. Coast Guard Flotilla 13-06-7 adopted this lighthouse from the United States Coast Guard in 1994 and it was formally announced on May 3, 2000. This Flotilla merged with Flotilla 013-06-3 and Flotilla 63 has assumed the duties and responsibilities of the adoption which include conducting tours, housekeeping, and routine maintenance.

The ATON unit at Woods Hole is responsible for the optic. Two years after John Quincy Adams proposed the construction of a lighthouse on Ned’s Point in Mattapoisett Massachusetts congress appropriated five thousand dollars for the construction of the lighthouse on Ned’s Point at the entrance to Mattapoisett harbor On March 3 of 1837.

The 35-foot tower was constructed of Beech rubble found along the very shoreline it stands upon. 35 rough cut Granite steps from a local quarry were set into the interior wall and supported each other in the center.

The light became operational on March 20 or 21 in 1838. The original birdcage lamp room contained 11 lanterns arranged vertically. The house received a major renovation in 1989 with the removal of the birdcage lamp room and some minor work in 1923 (Converting to electricity) a makeover in 1994 and again in 2001. Various changes have taken place over the years but the tower and its interior have remained the same.

In July of 2019, the Coast Guard became aware of a major lead paint problem in many of its facilities and issued a stand-down order for all public tours which included most of the lighthouses under their ownership. A lead contamination inspection was completed on Ned’s point Lighthouse. USCG AUX flotilla 63 ceased all public tours immediately. The ATON unit at Woods Hole read part of their findings to the staff officer responsible for Ned’s Point light and the Flotilla 63 commander but would not give them a printed copy.

The Friends of Ned’s Point lighthouse with the blessings of flotilla 63, contracted a local certified lead inspector who has worked directly for the USCG in the past which included several lighthouses. The inspection was conducted with flotilla staff officers present. The inspector found lead contamination on all painted surfaces in the interior of the lamp room. The rest of the facility is lead-free as are the grounds surrounding the house. Facing this lead issue, the Coast Guard is addressing its housing and training facilities first. It will be many years before funds will be allocated to the lighthouses. This led to the concept and conception of the “Friends of Ned’s Point lighthouse”.

This organization has already raised funds to provide a certified welder to replace the Lock fixture securing the doors to the tower after an attempted break-in. We are dedicated to raising funds to preserve, restore, and maintain Ned’s Point lighthouse where the United States Coast Guard is limited in funds to accomplish that.
We have contacted a certified lead paint removal contractor and received an estimate to completely remove all lead paint found by the company that performed the inspection. We are looking forward to providing the necessary procedures needed to refurbish the lighthouse and restoration of some original aspects such as the windows. ICC Commonwealth has provided this preservation and restoration work on over 45 lighthouses in the United States. Some work was extensive in scope including the relocation of some lighthouses.