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08/15/2023 11:00 AMFaulkner’s Island Light Brigade, which has recently reconstituted itself after a long hiatus, is once again sponsoring an open house of the island on Saturday, Sept. 2. from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the first in more than 15 years. This special event is a joint venture of Faulkner’s Light Brigade, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, and the United States Coast Guard, according to organizers.
President and chairman of the Light Brigade Anthony Coppola said the organization is extremely excited to be functioning once again and in a position to sponsor events like the open house. According to Coppola, though restoration efforts are frequently ongoing, they also ebb and flow like the tides that slowly erode the island, as the needs arise.
“Our last open house was way back in 2007. The Light Brigade had undertaken several projects dating back all the way back into the ‘90s, including a lot to do with erosion control of the island. There was a big project that actually shored up the entire east side of the island, and beyond that were projects that included restoration of the lighthouse, which ultimately is the mission of the group,” Coppola said. “But once the projects were completed, the last major project on the lighthouse was a total restoration of the lighthouse, which was a recoating of the exterior and work in the interior staircase was 2002, 20 years ago. So, once that was completed, the Brigade kind of took a back seat for a while because there was less and less for the organization to focus on. But we are looking again at some major projects, and the lighthouse is in need of some major repairs, so our mission hasn’t changed. This open house will be important, not only as a fundraiser but for public awareness as well.”
A water taxi provided by Thimble Island Cruises will transport private boaters that anchor west of the island from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. No private vessels will be allowed into the island boat basin at any time. Kayaks, canoes, dinghies, and other small vessels will be allowed to beach their crafts just north of the island boat basin from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. A rain date is set for Saturday, Sept. 9.
“There won’t be transportation provided from the mainland to the island this year…but the event is open to anyone that has private boat access. There will be a boat taxi to transport people from their anchored boats to the island dock. The USFWS and USCG will be present and offering an educational component as well. The lighthouse will, of course, be open for tours. There will also be access to parts of the island,” said Coppola.
Safety is a primary concern, according to Coppola, so inclement weather and/or high seas will cancel the event. Also, patrons must wear closed-toe shoes as a requirement to land on the island.
Faulkner’s Island has a special place in Guilford history and has been a critical waypoint for mariners since its inception in 1801. According to town historian Joel Helander, President Thomas Jefferson authorized Faulkner’s Lighthouse as the country’s 23rd lighthouse in 1801. Ten years earlier, Thomas Jefferson had been introduced to the little island when he disembarked from Guilford harbor in a sloop with a fellow Virginian and future U.S. President James Madison.
Faulkner’s is also an extremely important habitat for bird nesting, specifically the endangered roseate tern. This North American species is only known to nest on a handful of small islands in the northeast, including Faulkner’s.
Cancellation information will be posted at www.faulknerslightbrigade.com or on social media at facebook.com/faulknerslightbrigade.
Financial donations of $20 for adults and $10 for children under 12 are suggested. All donations will be used for the FILB’s basic mission of restoration and maintenance of the lighthouse.