Boston Light
Comprehensive restoration of the nation's oldest lighthouse station — including masonry restoration, industrial repainting, Fresnel lens conservation, and full building rehabilitation on a remote harbor island.
Boston Light, first established in 1716, is the nation's oldest lighthouse station and the last manned lighthouse in the United States, located on Little Brewster Island in Boston Harbor.
CLIENT
United States Coast Guard
STRUCTURE TYPE
Lighthouse Station
LOCATION
Boston Harbor, MA
Services Provided on This Project
Masonry Restoration
Industrial & Historical Painting
Media Blast Cleaning
Wood Roof Replacement
Copper Gutters & Flashing
Historic Metal Restoration
Historic Stucco Restoration
Window Restoration
Off-Shore Logistics
Restoring the Nation's Oldest Lighthouse
As the tercentennial anniversary for the Boston Light approached, the United States Coast Guard selected Cenaxo to perform the major repairs and restoration of the light and all the buildings on the island. With previous offshore lighthouse experience, our team was able to properly plan and execute this multifaceted restoration to the nation's oldest lighthouse station, first established in 1716.
Work consisted of a complete restoration to the lighthouse including industrial repainting of all the cast iron, replacing the glazing enclosing the original Fresnel lens, as well as a full masonry restoration. As the last manned lighthouse in the country, hurricane grade windows were installed in the Keeper's Cottage along with new cedar shingle roofs and sheet metal to protect Sally Snowman, the 70th keeper of the Boston Light, and her staff.
Among the many interesting aspects of this restoration was the protection of the Second Order Fresnel lens. Originally installed in 1859, the lens had to be carefully lifted off its brass wheels and protected in place — a necessary process because when the 4,000-pound glass lens stops rotating, the original brass wheels would be damaged by the weight. Cenaxo's team secured the priceless lens and completed the full restoration of the light.
Project Scope
- Full masonry restoration of the lighthouse tower and station buildings
- Industrial repainting of all cast iron elements
- Media blast cleaning of tower surfaces
- Replacement of the glazing enclosing the original Fresnel lens
- Conservation and protection of the 1859 Second Order Fresnel lens
- Cedar shingle roof replacement on the Keeper's Cottage
- Copper gutter and flashing installation
- Hurricane-grade window installation
- Historic stucco restoration on station buildings
- Offshore logistics coordination for materials, crew, and equipment
Offshore Logistics Challenge
As with any offshore project, logistics were a paramount concern affecting all aspects of the work — from crew safety to ensuring every material, tool, and piece of equipment was on-island each day. Work crews lived both on the island and nearby in Hull, MA, making this one of Cenaxo's most logistically demanding projects.
Let’s Protect What Matters Most
If you’re responsible for a historic building, choosing the right restoration partner matters. Cenaxo provides expert guidance from evaluation through execution — with clarity, care, and confidence.
