By Thomas A. Tag
Introduction Since the early 1980s lighthouse preservation has come into vogue with the establishment of a number of lighthouse preservation societies as well as a larger number of preservation groups dedicated to the restoration of lighthouses. The early efforts were designed to arouse public interest and were focused primarily on building the organizations and finding funding to support lighthouse preservation in general or for a specific lighthouse property. We have now passed much of the 'bricks and mortar' phase where efforts were dedicated almost exclusively to save structures from eminent destruction. We have arrived at a point where many organizations are functioning on a more secure financial basis and many lighthouses have been saved and rebuilt to secure them from the ravages of the environment. However, while the structures themselves are, for the most part, in much better condition, the true history of many lighthouses remains to be identified and preserved. This is especially true for the history of the technical aspects of each lighthouse. Efforts have been made to collect the general history of some preserved lighthouses and keeper information has been collected for a number of light stations as well. Yet technical aspects of lighthouse history are often a forgotten area of historical research. This paper discusses the methods that can be used to research the technical aspects of a lighthouse. It includes the development of a historical timeline showing the progression of the various styles of illumination and other technologies over the lifetime of the historic property. It also discusses the identification and proper naming of technical artifacts and their display and restoration. What to Research The critical technical elements to be identified and researched are as follows:
In each case listed above research must be preformed to identify what was used, when changes were made, and how the technical aspects of this lighthouse site evolved through time. Identifying the technical history of a lighthouse site can be a tricky proposition. The data are usually somewhat obscure and difficult to locate and in some cases to understand. Many sources for the data exist, but may not be readily apparent to the researcher. Where to Obtain the Information Listed below are the major resources available to the researcher and the main types of information to look at within each location. Please note: In a number of cases below it is stated that you can make a limited written request for information, while this is true, you must understand that these organizations cannot perform the research for you. They may be able to provide the answer to some specific question, but should not be asked to perform extensive research.
Technical History Information Resources
The National Archives
The National Archives - Archives II
Historians Office G-CP-4
Nautical Research Centre
United States Lighthouse Society
Lighthouse Depot
Leading Lights (Lighthouse information for worldwide lighthouse sites) Historical Context After the technical data are collected they must be formed into a chronological listing of events to place them into a historical context for the specific lighthouse site. For each of the technical changes it will be necessary to identify the specific item undergoing change and the timeframe in which it was used.
It is also important to review the data and other sources to determine if you can find drawings or photographs of the item(s) in question. The process of placing changes into a general historical context may be assisted through the use of the tables that follow.
Timeline of Changes The chronological list of technical changes can now be formalized into a timeline of changes appropriate to this lighthouse site. Actually two timelines should be produced. First make a complete chronological listing of all changes with the date each occurred and its effect on the lighthouse. Where possible add drawings or photographs to the listing to specifically define the change being made. The complete listing and associated graphics can now be used as one of the major tools for the training of Docents at the lighthouse site. It will provide a method to discuss the history of the site and place each change into historical context for the Docents. It will also assist in the identification and use of proper names for the various technical artifacts still remaining at the lighthouse site or in its museum. The complete listing should then be reviewed and reduced to the critical changes that were made at the site, which should be brought to the attention of visitors through the use of displays and signage. The abbreviated list can also form a part of history brochures and handouts for the site. A Typical timeline is shown in the following table:
Identifying Technical Artifacts The next major step in the process is a thorough review of all remaining technical artifacts located at this lighthouse site. It is critical that each artifact be reviewed and properly identified as to its name, function, and timeframe of usage. The following are some of the available identification resources:
Great Lakes Lighthouse Keepers Association (The "Beacon" and "Instructions to Light-Keepers" - 1902 edition)
Historians Office G-CP-4
James Claflin
U.S. Coast Guard Exhibit Center
United States Lighthouse Society ("Keeper's Log" and Archives)
World Lighthouse Society (CD - "Glossary of Lighthouse Optics Terminology") Caution must be used when properly identifying technical artifacts to be sure that the full "Official" name is used. Style names such as "Kerosene Lamp" or even the more detailed "Hydraulic Lamp" should not be used. Instead, the full official name such as "Funck's Hydraulic Float Lamp" should be used. It is also important to label those artifacts actually used at this lighthouse site and to separate them from lighthouse artifacts that were never used at this location. Figure 1 shows an actual museum display where a number of items remain unidentified as to name, years of usage, and function. Such displays give the visitor little or no information.
Figures 2a and 2b show museum displays where the items are properly identified. The identification cards give the items "Official" name, its function and its year of installation and/or usage.
While I do not claim to be an expert on museum displays, I do wish to outline some of the major concerns in displaying technical lighthouse artifacts, especially the Fresnel lens. Our first concern is to allow the visitor to get "close, but not too close." The critical elements are to:
Figure 3 shows a display in a semi-private museum. This type of museum would have visitors who are invited and who would be very likely to have superior knowledge of the artifacts on display. Therefore, the displays can be highly open with little or no protection required for each artifact.
Figure 4 shows a typical poorly designed public museum. Here the displays are open to casual visitors and must be further protected. This example shows a 4th Order Fresnel lens in the center of the room with no protection. It could easily be reached by children and damaged. Also note the clockwork hand crank sticking out on the lower right inviting someone to trip or providing a tool for damaging the lens.
Figure 5 shows a public museum with a much improved design. The lens is now fully protected by being recessed into the wall inside cabinetry. While this design provides excellent protection it is poor for photography. The attempt was made to make the cabinetry look like lantern room windows, but each window should have been made wider to allow a full view of the lens for photography.
Figures 6a and 6b show two public museums with excellent displays. Both displays have a lens that is open to photography while being protected from access by cast iron fencing. The display in Figure 6a also has a raised gallery where the lens can be viewed from a higher vantage point. In both cases the lens cannot be touched. The only problem that could be encountered would be an attack on the lens by throwing a rock or other object at the lens. Both of these museums have personnel in or near the building and docents for school groups. If such precautions cannot be made plastic or glass screening of the lens will be necessary.
Museum Display Boards Display boards should use a balance of text, diagrams and photographs of the article being described. For each major technical artifact:
Some interesting thoughts on display boards and lighthouse preservation in general can be found at: http://www.iala-aism.org click on publications then manuals then Lighthouse Preservation Manual to printout this reference. Artifact Restoration The critical element in restoring or preserving an artifact is to use the first simple rule, "do no harm." The remaining lighthouse technical artifacts represent only a tiny portion of the original quantities made. Therefore, each remaining artifact is extremely important and may be the only example extant of that style. While the artifact may need cleaning or more extensive restoration, nothing should be attempted by untrained personnel. Even the supposedly simple act of cleaning the item can cause irreversible damage if performed in the wrong manner or with incorrect materials. This brings us to the second simple rule, "know your limits." If you don't know exactly what to do or how to do it - STOP! Find an expert. Artifact Restoration Resources The following are some of the available expert artifact restoration resources that can and should be used:
National Park Service (General Restoration Knowledge)
Dan Spinella (Lens Restoration and Replacement Lens Parts)
Gary Knappenberger (Restoration of Metal Parts)
Ed Gunn (Overall Restoration Knowledge)
Dennis Winegarner (Replacement Glass Prisms and Lens Parts)
James Woodward (Overall Lens Restoration Knowledge)
Steve Gronow (Overall Restoration Knowledge)
Jim Dunlap In addition, there are a number of documents that can be obtained from the Internet, which cover various aspects of Fresnel Lens maintenance and conservation as follows:
Fresnel Lens Maintenance and Care - National Park Service
Fresnel Lens Conservation - National Park Service
USCG Lens Directives
Safeguarding Lighthouse Lenses - Maritime Museum Emergency and Disaster Preparedness and Recovery Manual - Section VII Conclusion The restoration and preservation of a lighthouse site does not end with the completion of the work on the physical structure. It is also imperative that the complete history of the lighthouse is researched and described in chronological order, including the history of the technical components that were used at the site. This paper has described the task and identified possible sources for information regarding the history of technical elements. It has also proposed the creation of an illustrated timeline of technical events that can be used in abbreviated form as a handout or display for visitors to the site and can be used in its complete form as a tool for the instruction of docents. Particular attention was drawn to the proper identification of technical items and the use of "Official" names to identify artifacts themselves and for display signage. The paper identified a number of display precautions and suggested ways to improve the safety of the artifacts while providing the ability to photograph technical items on display at the site, particularly the display of Fresnel lenses. Lastly, restoration of technical artifacts was discussed and two basic rules were described to minimize or eliminate the chances for problems during restoration. In addition, a listing of restoration and preservation documents and expert resources was provided. If lighthouse preservation groups follow the guidelines in the paper they should be able to identify the lighthouse site's technical history, properly name and display any remaining technical artifacts and restore such artifacts with the assurance of safety.
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