Island Lighthouse Journal • Issue 6 • December 2025
Photo: Super moon over Curtis Island. Credit: Tim Shaw
Revitalizing Curtis Island Light Station
Restoration work kicks off in earnest with Foundation / Town partnership.
As we look ahead to the 2026 construction season, the Town of Camden and the Curtis Island Lighthouse Foundation (CILF) have collaborated on a plan to begin the restoration of the Light Station. Michael Skaling, Board President of CILF, and Jeff Nathan, Camden Snow Bowl and Parks and Recreation Director, have teamed up to make the vision a reality. As one of Camden’s public parks, Curtis Island holds both professional and personal interest for Jeff who is eager to partner with CILF to advance restoration efforts.
Three major restoration projects will be launched.
Access In spring 2026, we will redesign and rebuild two access structures damaged during the storms in January 2024. Thanks to a grant from the Maine Lighthouse Trust and support from local engineers at Senders Engineering and fabricators at Rockport Steel, we will create a natural access ramp at the existing landing spot and replace the failing stairs at the kayak landing area. These enhancements will improve access for contractors, volunteers, and small boat visitors to the island.
Light Tower Jeremy Martin, Camden’s Development & Planning Director, is seeking a $250,000 grant from Maine Historic Preservation Commission for urgent restoration work for the Light Tower. The focus for 2026 will be on the metal roof, lantern level, and exterior brickwork. CILF will contribute the matching grant of $83,000 (a requirement of the MHPC grant), bringing the total funds available to the Town to $330,000. The grant application will be submitted in December, with results expected by March 2026. If approved, contractors will be selected and work scheduled to begin in late spring 2026 under Town and State supervision.
Keeper’s House The Keeper’s House requires significant restoration. We will raise funds for the full exterior restoration, hiring a contractor to complete the work and donating the Keeper’s House restoration work to the Town. In addition to funds already raised for this effort, the Foundation needs to raise another $350,000 during the winter and spring months to begin the restoration in spring 2026. Community donations and grants will be vital for restoring the Keeper’s House.
We invite you to support our Island efforts. With your participation, we can start actual restoration in spring 2026. Fundraising is essential.
Thank you!
2025 Foundation Highlights
Raised $200,000 from nearly 250 donors
for summer 2026 projects.Submitted three grants for Light Keeper’s House restoration, totaling $85,000.
Received $25,000 grant from Maine Lighthouse Trust for Keeper’s House
roofing materials.Completed engineering and design
for island access.Recovered the missing Curtis Island fog bell.
Developed restoration plans for 2026 projects.
Finished and published the Curtis Island Community Vision report.
Installed a new flagpole.
Organized volunteers for cleanup, debris removal and building stabilization.
Made temporary roof repairs and closed
the island for winter.
Island Access Project Moves Forward
With newly developed plans, we are set to install in spring 2026.
Preliminary Access Site Plan courtesy of Senders Engineering
In June, Jeff Senders, of Senders Engineering, heard about the need for new access stairs and ramps after the devastating storms of January 2024. He generously offered to provide engineering, design, and permitting work as a donation to the Foundation and the Town. We eagerly accepted his offer.
Jeff quickly got to work, conducting engineering studies that mapped the island’s topography and surrounding tidal areas. Initially, we considered using the old Steamboat Landing floats, which were being replaced. Concerns were raised about making access too accommodating and stressing the island’s ecological balance. Plans then evolved to a more natural ramp, which could utilize the same ledge the Light Station has relied upon for over a century.
Storm damage to stairs
Repairs made in 2024
So, what is a natural ramp?
A natural ramp uses the existing natural resources of an area to create a working path. In this case, it involves slightly excavating the earth from the area that once held the Coast Guard ramp and using a protruding ledge as the base. The excavated topsoil is replaced with 3˝ rough stone, creating a simple, non-intrusive path for moving equipment and material during construction. Once the Island restoration is complete, the six-foot-wide ramp is covered with topsoil and seeded with native plants, but potentially available to be used again in the future.
Additionally, the narrow stairs at the kayak landing area will be replaced with a wider stair set with an integ-rated tote skid. Bill Glover of Rockport Steel is generously donating the design and some of manufacturing costs of these steps. Once the permitting process is completed, Two Harbor Marine will install both the aluminum stairs and the natural ramp in early spring, just in time for the restoration work of the Tower and Keeper’s House to begin.
This project represents a significant step forward in making the Island more accessible while preserving its natural beauty. A $25,000 grant from the Maine Lighthouse Trust added to Foundation funds will cover construction materials and installation costs.
Light Keeper’s inter-tidal access and boathouse in 1911.
The Fog Bell is Coming Home
Thanks to the goodwill of the Deer Isle-Stonington Historical Society.
“After a long time, the bell is coming home.”
—Susan Greenlaw, DISHS President
In 2023, as the Town of Camden and the Curtis Island Lighthouse Foundation began planning restoration of the Light Station, many wondered where the island fog bell could be. In 1970, when the Coast Guard decommissioned the Light Station, no records were found indicating where it had gone. The fog bell had been on the island since 1896 when the light station was rebuilt. Soon thoughts turned to “Wouldn’t it be nice if we could find it and return it to the island?”
Inquiries were made to the Coast Guard, and Town records were searched, but the answer was elusive until a public media article resulted in an answer: Camden’s Curtis Island fog bell was on proud display outside the Deer Isle-Stonington Historical Society (DISHS).
Now, after cordial interactions between DISHS and CILF about how best to handle the complicated transactions involving U.S. Coast Guard protocols, the historic fog bell will return to Curtis Island. In October 2025, DISHS trustees unanimously and graciously agreed to return the bell to Camden. In the kind words of DISHS president, Susan Greenlaw: “After a long time, the bell is coming home.”
Housekeeping with our Volunteers
The work of restoration begins with a thorough cleaning of the Light Keeper’s House.
This past summer and fall, thanks to a dedicated group of volunteers, we made great headway on multiple projects:
Cleanout of the Light Keeper’s House
Volunteers made quick work of removing old furniture, clearing out clutter and cleaning rooms and spaces to prepare them for restoration work.
Invasive Species Management
Under the expert supervision of Amy Thomas, volunteers have begun the laborious process of carefully dealing with invasive growth of Asian Bittersweet, helping to restore the island to its natural character.
Debris Removal
Thanks to help from the Town, volunteers hauled debris and waste from one side of the island to the other and back to the mainland with the assistance of the harbormaster’s crew.
Building Stabilization
Steve Pixley, with help from Parks and Recreation, placed a temporary roof patch that should protect the Keeper’s House from water intrusion.
Consider Volunteering in 2026!
Help Us Restore the Light Keeper’s House!
Donate today to save the Light Keeper’s House and rebuild island access.
What began as a wishful thought is now an action plan. Critical repairs to the Keeper’s House are about to begin in earnest. First planned was only roof work, but thanks to your support, our scope now covers the full house exterior, including new clapboards, trim, window frames, and repairs to the rubble stone foundation.
By combining the two initially conceived phases into one, we’ll reduce setup costs and boost efficiency. The Foundation will select a contractor, oversee the work, and restore the house—without Town funds. The envelope restoration is expected to be over $400,000. We have committed $200,000 of our current assets towards this project.
Our goal is to raise an additional $350,000. Your gift will allow us to undertake the Keeper’s House project this summer—in addition to commitments to island access construction and Light Tower work.