First, thanks to all the organizations and individuals that have supported the Cuckolds rescue and restoration over the last 10 years. We hope you agree that it has been a gratifying enterprise, although even more challenging than expected. It reminds us of the great old Peace Corps slogan: “The toughest job you’ll ever love.”

Ironically, we became involved in rescuing and rebuilding the Cuckolds for many of the same reasons Cuckolds critics cite for objecting to it — love for the Cuckolds, dismay that it had fallen into ruin, and a desire to make a Maine island lighthouse experience available to others.

We regret that a few of our neighbors continue to be critics and naysayers. While we are unlikely to change some opinions, we want to set the record straight. There are reasonable readers and individuals that have been not intimately involved in the rescue. For those readers, observers and people of goodwill, we want you to better understand our mission, vision, operations and obligations.

From the beginning, the Cuckolds Rescue Mission has been, and continues as: to rescue, restore and open this beautiful treasure for the public to enjoy in many diverse ways — including tours, activities, meetings, educational programs, overnight stays, and volunteer opportunities for young people and adults. 

Remember that when we received the deed to the Island in 2006, the Keepers’ Quarters house and boathouse had been demolished, leaving just the deteriorating light tower. As we have learned firsthand, the facilities had been neglected for 30 years. The Historic Fog Signal Building was dilapidated, leaking, rusting, rotting, unstable and dangerous. The US Coast Guard determined the facilities to be excess property and started a process could have resulted in its demolition.

But for the rescue effort, the 1892 structure could have been gone forever and replaced by a fiberglass pole with a light on top. Lighthouses are fairly high maintenance structures, being subject to marine air and the erosional effects of wave and ice. The US Coast Guard has also found that unmanned structures are found vulnerable to vandalism and theft. Therefore automation of many lights led to their effective demolition. Such a fate has already happened to several lighthouses.  We didn't want the Cuckolds to end this way.

According to state and regional tourism officials, more people come down our peninsula for “lighthouses and lobsters” than for any other reason.  And our region is fortunate to have four lighthouses right here on our peninsula; two are private property, one is a state-operated facility. The Cuckolds is a nonprofit, volunteer-led undertaking. It will be a self-sustaining entity operated in accord with Federal law for education, park, recreation, cultural, or historic preservation purposes. Finally, after a decade of work, we are delighted that visitors will soon step ashore at this lighthouse.

Rescue vision

The Cuckolds Island and its historic light station is a place for people to enjoy — a place for recreation, historic preservation, educational programs, volunteer opportunities and lots more.  The Cuckolds Rescue team has closely adhered to its original, federally-approved and locally sanctioned plans:

• Following the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards and Guidelines for Historic Preservation and Reconstruction, researching historical and archival documents and photographs, and navigating complex building codes and safety requirements, the Cuckolds Rescue team painstakingly restored the unmaintained Fog Signal and Light Tower Building. Even the paint color had to be approved by the Federal government.
• The Cuckolds Rescue team reconstructed the boathouse as a welcome gateway and program center, and a shelter in inclement weather while entering and departing. Attractive displays will share pertinent history and information.
• The rescue team rebuilt the Keepers’ Quarters, historically compatible on the exterior and repurposed as a beautiful inn for overnight stays. Yes, as the Rescue Team promised the Secretary of the Interior and the public in our Application for Transfer, the Keepers’ Quarters is now an offshore inn. This is one critical aspect of sustaining the rescue and that's just one component of the overall picture. For the record, Cuckolds Keepers’ Quarters exterior reconstruction is historically compatible, down to window dimensions, rows of clapboards and courses of bricks — restored as close to historic plans as possible, given the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards and Guidelines for Historic Reconstruction current building materials, codes and regulations necessary to allow visitor access.

Many in our community embraced the vision — community-spirited businesses donated building materials, including Hancock Lumber, Andersen windows, Certainteed Shingles, and/or provided discounted services, including J. Edward Knight insurance, Edgecomb BoatWorks, Southport Island Marine, Rideout Marine, the Boothbay Harbor Shipyard, the GoldSmith Gallery, Boothbay Harbor Framers, and many others. Generous local artisans and skilled millworkers crafted and contributed custom doors and cabinets, the flag pole, and even the American flags you see blowing in the breeze.

Public Access

The Cuckolds has been closed to visitors since 1892. There has been no public access at all. Until now. A first in its 122-year history!

The Cuckolds Rescue has installed a new-tech pier, with socket pilings, a hydraulic ramp and free-floating dock. Two volunteer “keepers,” Captains Dan and Barb Aube, have quarters on the island, and will be in residence to receive and welcome visitors.

Yes, access will be limited by concerns for safety, security and liability. At first, all visits — tours, overnight stays and other activities — will be by reservation. But all visitors will be transported to the Cuckolds Island in Cuckolds Light’s own, 26-foot restored Navy whaleboat piloted by a licensed captain. The Cuckolds dock is not open to private vessels, for safety, operational and liability reasons.

Our Obligations

The Deed and Covenant Agreement from the Federal government requires the light station be "self-sustaining." This means that, just like other nonprofits, Cuckolds Light needs revenue sources to operate and maintain this special place for current and future generations. 

Cuckolds Light plans to offer tours, activities, hosted programs and events, and offer products with the Cuckolds image and logo. Cuckolds Light will become self-sustaining — no annual fundraising!

At times the light station will be used by small groups, who will pay to have a private island experience.  At other times, overnight guests will experience living in a restored lighthouse, on this rocky island.  The rescue of this property was extensive and expensive.  The current rates for guests are lower than some other ocean-side properties in our region.

Indeed, public enthusiasm and advanced reservations demonstrate that many are eager to experience this unique and memorable offshore adventure! 

Despite these commitments, Cuckolds Light will still be offering and operating education, park, recreation, cultural, or historic preservation programs that are not revenue driven.

Community Participation

Although we have not yet completed construction, arrangements have already been made for regional nonprofits to use this rebuilt resource to generate revenue for their own good causes. Several nonprofits have the opportunity to auction off an overnight stay at the Inn, and all of that revenue will accrue to their organization.

Cuckolds Light has already provided community service opportunities for young people from school systems in Maine, Pennsylvania and Virginia.  We have hosted our first program for the Maine Maritime Museum, and sponsored and curated an 18-month exhibition at the Maine Lighthouse Museum in Rockland.  All before we open the door. 

Cuckolds Light is also working with a team of historians documenting the dramatic history of the Cuckolds dating to 1892. Their findings will be interpreted in a variety of mediums, including on-site, on-shore, and online exhibits and information. Upon completion, an off-island exhibit will be installed at Maine’s oldest maritime museum, the Penobscot Marine Museum, as part of their “Experience Maritime Maine” initiative.

Cuckolds Tours

We expect public tours of the island and historic light station to begin in late July.

Departing from the dock at the Newagen Seaside Inn in Southport, weather permitting, tours will include:

• A cruise to and from The Cuckolds aboard a fully restored US Navy whaleboat, piloted by a US Coast Guard-licensed captain.
• A docent-guided tour of Cuckolds Island, its facilities and the historic Light Tower.
• Time to explore the island, which offers sweeping 360-degree views of the open ocean and surrounding islands.

For the first time, visitors will be able to explore the Cuckolds and its role in the development of Boothbay Harbor as a center for commerce in Midcoast Maine. And beyond taking in the history, visitors can explore the rock-bound island, climb to the top of the light tower, enjoy the stunning views, and take photographs to capture and preserve memories. 

Tours prices are $30 per person. Special group, student and senior rates that support the lighthouse’s cultural, recreational and educational mission can be arranged. Advance reservations will be available when the Cuckolds Light tour schedule is published. The island is not handicapped accessible and for safety and liability reasons, is inappropriate for children under 12. Remember, this is our first season, and it may take a while before all who wish to see it can come ashore.

Who Owns Cuckolds Light

The Cuckolds Fog Signal and Lights Station Council is a Maine chartered, nonprofit corporation doing business as Cuckolds Light; all tour fees and contributions support the continued operation of the lighthouse. Paul Coulombe does not own the Cuckolds. He is one of several generous donors to the Cuckolds Rescue. He is a member of the board of Cuckolds Light, elected council president in 2012. No one on the board “fired the locals.” Cuckolds Light is not just for elites.

In fact, Cuckolds Light is a hardy band of volunteers using local contractors to complete the job that was begun one decade ago. We are among the many volunteers, donors and residents who are grateful for Paul’s leadership, bringing the Cuckolds rescue to fruition.

In summary, we hope you recognize that this has been a source of well-paying jobs for many local and regional businesses, contractors and suppliers, and a labor of love for hundreds of volunteers. This is also an undertaking that has encountered and overcome huge challenges.  We could write a book!

Incidentally, the Cuckolds and its story is now a source of pride for many in our nation, our state, and our region.  

Cuckolds Light has captured the attention of the New York Times, the Boston Globe, Portland Magazine, Lighthouse Digest, Maine Boats, Homes & Harbors, Soundings Magazine, the Lincoln County Journal, Memories of Maine, and many popular digital and online magazines, and specialty publications.

Cuckolds Light’s efforts have been heralded as a model by federal oversight agencies, including General Services Administration, the U.S. Department of the Interior, and agencies involved in implementing the National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act of 2000.  We have received letters of appreciation and congratulations from the governor, our senators, and many others.  

We know a few people will still question bringing life back to the Cuckolds. So be it. Given the results of the rescue, we are confident that their children and grandchildren will be grateful that some cared enough to preserve this treasure for future generations’ enjoyment. 

Related:

Cuckolds Council considers another option

Cuckolds site visit raises more questions

Cuckolds utility line crossing still a work in progress

Cuckolds Light almost ready for visitors, but local concerns remain

Hearing on Cuckolds plan

Two charged in Cuckolds theft