Lighthouse Group Seeks Display Cases for Historical Items

Friends of Pomham Rocks Lighthouse completed restoration of the interior of the East Providence Lighthouse last year. The landmark light station, built in 1871, is the only one surviving of the five lighthouses that once guided ships through the Providence River.

The Museum Committee of Friends of Pomham Rocks Lighthouse has now turned its efforts to the creation of a museum in the historic structure. Members of the Museum Committee have acquired, catalogued and prepared for display artwork and historical artifacts related to Pomham Rocks Lighthouse and the other four East Providence lighthouses that no longer exist – Bullocks Point, Sabin Point, Fuller Rock and Sassafras Point. Rooms on the first and second floor of the Lighthouse serve as a museum dedicated to preserving this important local history.

The first floor features the light that previously cast a red beacon atop the lighthouse, as well as historical photographs, artwork and an antique navigational chart of the surrounding bay. A scale model of Bullocks Point Lighthouse, which was taken down after the 1938 hurricane, is located on the second floor. Also on that floor is a room dedicated to the other East Providence lighthouses and a room depicting the role of the Coast Guard in caring for the light station.

Some small artifacts and publications have been acquired that need to be protected and displayed. Friends of Pomham Rocks Lighthouse Museum Committee Chair Alex Dias asks for the assistance of the community in helping to display these historical items.

“We seek the help of local residents in providing museum-quality cases to display the items for all to see, as well as for items related to any of the East Providence lighthouses,” he stated.

The volunteer group is committed to finding and preserving examples of lighthouse history and making them available for the public to view. Education is key to their mission, and they want to preserve these remnants of the past in order to inform current and future generations. Friends of Pomham Rocks Lighthouse is a tax-exempt charitable organization. Individuals who would like to donate display cases or items to the museum can contact Alex Dias at history@pomhamrockslighthouse.org.