Preventative maintenance painting was completed in October for the steel structure. We also painted
the roof system with donated material from Acrymax and removed plywood under the cottage. Thomas
Point Shoal Lighthouse is indeed looking spiffy now. Replacement of one final tie rod that was not done
in 2020 and replacement of 18 rotten lateral beams is complete. The sleeves installed to eradicate ships worm infestation were replaced with a sturdier fiberglass cover at no additional cost to TPSL.
The Chesapeake National Recreation Area (CNRA) legislation has been submitted to Congress. Thomas Point Shoal Lighthouse is one of the first four heritage sites included under the CNRA. The legislation will expand public outreach and will result in more tours as well as critical funding for the future of TPSL. Bipartisan support of this bill is in place, and it appears the resolution will go to a floor vote in mid-2024.
We have applied for a Maryland Historic Trust Heritage Grant to partially fund the creation of a new
Fresnel lens display. We have also applied for a grant through the National Park Service to install new
davits on the west side of the lighthouse. The Maryland Historic Trust has approved the davit
installation. We should hear about the success of these grants in early 2024.