Island Lighthouse Journal • Issue 5 • July 2025
Photo: Dale Bruce
Listening to Camden
Reflections on Curtis Island’s Community Vision
In essence, the Curtis Island Community Vision Report recognizes the delicate balances between preservation and access, history and modernity, solitude and community.
This past winter Curtis Island Lighthouse Foundation set out to capture the collective dreams and aspirations of the community through a visioning process. Over 80 community members shared their hopes, concerns, and connections with Curtis Island. For me, as a founder of the Foundation, it has been inspiring to witness the deep connections so many members of the community have with our iconic sentinel at the entrance.
Analyzing the insights gathered from our community, a clear vision has emerged—a vision that seeks to balance three goals: preserving Curtis Island’s rich history; restoring the light station’s buildings; and maintaining small watercraft access to ensure the island’s historical and natural areas are protected. Restoring the iconic lighthouse and its surrounding structures as living examples of history resonated deeply with many. And it’s not just about preserving buildings; it’s about keeping our maritime heritage alive for future generations; it’s about having current-day lightkeepers caring for the island and its visitors. Whether viewed from the mainland at the overlook site or from a boat, the lighthouse is an image that conjures personal connections.
A consistent theme in the community responses is the desire to manage access to the island carefully. Many expressed the importance of maintaining the island’s serenity and preventing overuse. Suggestions about promoting sustainable practices and limiting visitor numbers were common, ensuring that Curtis Island remains a natural sanctuary for vegetation, wildlife, and for those seeking solitude.
I was also struck by the repeated interest theme of using the island and Camden’s maritime history to uncover more knowledge of our social history, ecology, and geology in relation to current environmental challenges. Participants expressed deep interest for developing programs to engage school children, historians, and community members.
Participants shared thoughts similar to my personal vision concerning the need for financial and organizational sustainability. Many recognized the need for a robust financial foundation to support restoration and long-term maintenance efforts. Others felt there should be an organizational structure empowered to make day-to-day decisions and clearly defined governance of the island.
During the past year and a half, it has become clear that the Town of Camden, given all of its other challenges, needs a strong community partner to help take on some of the major capital expenses of long-term restoration. Since its founding a year and a half ago, CILF has begun raising critical initial funds, capturing the goodwill of many volunteers, and working in partnership with the Town to preserve this important part of Camden.
Read the full Community Vision Report and make a donation today on our website: curtisisland.org.
For me, the great appeal of the island is the magic of its atmosphere, not unlike the aura felt when one experiences wilderness, where the uncertainty and vulnerability are acutely felt, and nature dominates. Because visiting Curtis Island is an adventure requiring a kayak, a small boat, a paddle board, or a swim, all of which are uncertain to a degree; and because, once on the island, we are removed from the safety of the mainland, we feel the presence of our surroundings more keenly. This is the magic of the island; the essence we wish to preserve.
Blue skies surround the American and State of Maine flags while the weathered Light Keeper’s House and Light Tower capture Curtis Island’s enduring spirit of history, nature, and the peaceful stillness of solitude (photo: Michael Skaling)
Raise High Our Flag!
Donors and volunteers collaborate to install a new flagpole
Transporting the new lighthouse flagpole aboard CILF’s skiff (photo: Heather Rogers)
After a three-year absence, Curtis Island Light Station has a new flagpole soaring proudly above the island. Equipped with a solar-powered night light, the flagpole will be visible from town and to mariners entering Camden Harbor.
For the past three years, Curtis Island Lighthouse Foundation (CILF) had passed the hat for donations for the flag-raising project and gratefully acknowledges the contributions of the West Bay Rotary, First National Bank, and the many individual donations that helped make this proud moment possible.
Memorial Day flag raising (photo: Rick Seibel)
CILF’s goal had been to install the flagpole in time to celebrate Memorial Day, but the surprising arrival of a fierce northeasterly storm on the previous Friday demanded a well-timed jostle to achieve the goal. Working with a crew of two from Nor’East Flagpole of Waldoboro, we quickly organized an installation for Sunday before Memorial Day after the storm conditions around Curtis Island had subsided.
As with all island projects, the logistics were a scramble. We needed to locate a generator and coordinate around the tide. Thankfully, we borrowed a generator from Tom Jackson and loaded the 30-foot pole onto the Foundation’s venerable 13’ Boston Whaler carefully balancing the long pole fore and aft. Luckily, the morning tide was rising, which was ideal for this project.
Rick Seibel, a stalwart CILF volunteer, arrived early to help with additional gear and by 9 o’clock, we were all on-island with the flagpole, tools, and equipment. The Waldoboro flagpole crew impressively hauled the pole and the heavy generator up Curtis Island’s steep access stairs, and CILF’s garden tractor transported the equipment to the installation site between the Light Keeper’s House and Barn. One complication was the outhaul lines at the Curtis Island beach were completely snarled from the northeasterly storm which involved a lengthy episode of what mariners refer to as “frigging with the rigging.”
As the outhaul line to moor the Whaler in deeper water was untangled, Alex and Sam discovered our generator wasn’t powerful enough to drive the two-inch bedrock drills. Fortunately, they had a backup generator, so we made a quick fourth trip to the mainland to retrieve it. Within an hour, the team had drilled four holes into the ledge, secured four rods with quick-drying concrete, and set the adjustable pole base. Strong and stately, the white, fiberglass pole is built to withstand 200 mph winds.
The moment we hoisted the two flags, the wind caught and unfurled them against the clearing sky. It was a breathtaking moment. We then lowered the two flags to half-mast in honor of Memorial Day. Curtis Island has a proud new sentinel to mark the beginning of a new epoch of “keeping the light.”
Light Keeper’s House after the December 2022 Storm Damage (photo: Michael Skaling)
2025 Fundraising Light & Restoration Goals
This summer, Curtis Island Lighthouse Foundation aims to raise $250,000 for critical restoration efforts. Funds will support engineering, permitting, and construction of new docking access, as well as restoring the Light Keeper’s roof, trim, and gutters to national historic standards. Please join us in preserving our coastal landmark.