What would it be like living and working in a lighthouse 100 years ago?
Keepers worked 24 hours on and 48 hours off. The lighthouse operated from 4:00 p.m. until a little bit after dawn. During a storm like a hurricane or noreaster the light had to be kept in operation continually. Keepers did not live in the lighthouse, but did frequently camp in the upper rooms overnight. The Keepers Quarters were located near the base of the lighthouse. After the 1880s keepers wore dark blue wool dress uniforms or fatigues. The uniform had to be worn at all times on duty. A keeper could be fired for wearing the uniform improperly. The Lighthouse Board provided housing, staple foods, medicine, and a salary up to $800 per year. What did keepers do? Duties included: hand carrying fuel up to the lantern room (201 steps!) fueling the lamp trimming the wicks, (later replacing mantles and pumping the oil vaporizer) regularly cleaning and polishing the glass chimney, lenses, and windows with jewelers rouge and whiting polishing brass fittings and tools winding the light mechani
