Lighthouse Speaker To Bring History to Life

The year 2022 marks the 200th anniversary of the Fresnel lens, called “the invention that saved a million ships.” The innovative lens used in lighthouses allowed vessels to safely navigate treacherous waters and find their way through dense fog. Using prisms arranged in a beehive design, the light from the lamp within was reflected and refracted into a powerful central beam that could be seen further than any created before. The inventor of this revolutionary lens was French physicist Augustin-Jean Fresnel.

Since last fall, the museum at Pomham Rocks Lighthouse has showcased the antique Fresnel lens that lit the light station from c1926 to 1974. To commemorate the development of this important lifesaving invention, the Friends of Pomham Rocks Lighthouse will feature a performance portraying Augustin-Jean Fresnel at their annual meeting. Joseph Smith, a Performing Artist of Living History, will bring the character to life in a lighthearted presentation. An actor since 1995, Smith has combined his love of history and acting to “give voice to stories that celebrate the human spirit.” He has portrayed Augustin Fresnel for the American Lighthouse Foundation, Michigan Lighthouse Festival, Florida Lighthouse Association, Michigan Lighthouse Alliance, The Fire Island Lighthouse Preservation Society, Montauk Lighthouse, The Horton Point Lighthouse, New London Maritime Society/The Custom House Maritime Museum and The National Lighthouse Museum.

If you’ve been thinking about joining the lighthouse group, now is the perfect time. To join, visit www.pomhamrockslighthouse.org.  Members and their guests are invited to attend the annual meeting at Hillside Country Club in Rehoboth, MA on November 6 from noon to 4 p.m. Reservations can be made by sending a check for $35 per person to Friends of Pomham Rocks Lighthouse, P.O. Box 15121, Riverside, RI 02915, Attn: Annual Meeting.