Dear Editor:

Recent discussions regarding the disposition of local light houses has prompted the Ram Island Preservation Trust to place its story in the public record. 

Ram Island Light Station, listed in the National Register of Historic Places, is located south of Ocean Point and was built in 1883 by order of Congress. Its light stands 40 feet above sea level and its original light was a fourth order Fresnel lens.

In 1983, coincidentally the 100th anniversary of the light station, it was destined for demolition. Also by coincidence, through the generous and personal cooperation of Rear Admiral Richard A. Bauman, First District U.S. Coast Guard, Boston, Mass., we were able to establish the very first lease agreement between a non-profit organization and the USCG and thus save this historic property.

It was through this initial lease agreement, which spawned the 1998 Lights Selection Act of Congress. This legislation, sponsored by Senator Olympia Snowe, created a process by which 32 Maine lights were offered to appropriate and capable organizations to care for their respective lights. In 1998 the Ram Island Preservation Trust under the auspices of the Grand Banks Schooner Museum Trust was given Ram Island Light Station to care for in perpetuity.

Ram Island is always open to the public and always free of charge. Access is by boat and we maintain a guest mooring for that purpose. We are unable to provide transport, thus transportation is the visitor’s responsibility.  We do not rent, lease or require any payment in any form. However, donations are always gratefully accepted.

The U.S. Coast Guard maintains the aid to navigation. The Ram Island Preservation Trust maintains the tower, the walkway, the keeper’s house, the out buildings, the grounds, and the moorings.

Lastly, Ram Island is held in public trust for you. It is free to the public (we do have rules for your safety and to protect the island), we are committed to maintain it all for the public benefit, and we hope, with utmost sincerity, that you will enjoy it either from the shore, by boat or in person. It is a fabulous piece of Maine maritime and Boothbay history.

Robert Ryan
Executive Director
Ram Island Preservation Trust