Take a trip down to the southern half of the NJ coast and check out the newly restored Barnegat Lighthouse!
Barnegat Light, NJ - Barnegat Lighthouse, the iconic maritime sentinel of the Jersey Shore, will open its doors to the public this weekend after a year-long, $1.3 million restoration project.
Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner, Shawn M. LaTourette, announced today that visitors will once again be able to climb and tour the landmark starting on Saturday, June 10.
Operating hours are set from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily, weather permitting, through Labor Day.
"Barnegat Lighthouse is once again ready to welcome visitors who want to climb it and enjoy some of the most breathtaking views of the Jersey shore," said Commissioner LaTourette.
In a pioneering initiative, the lighthouse's views will now be accessible to all, thanks to a new video feed system. Cameras installed at the top of the lighthouse will transmit live images to a monitor at the park’s interpretive center, offering an ADA-accessible view of the landscape.
This live feed will soon also be available on the State Park Service’s website.
The renovation involved a comprehensive exterior refurbishment, including masonry recoating, repairs to the brick facade, and the installation of new windows. The interior also underwent significant enhancements, such as roof repairs, repainting, and the mending of the lantern steel platform.
“The State Park Service looks forward to the complete reopening of the lighthouse, which has been a guiding light for sailors, visitors, and families for much of its 166-year history,” said John Cecil, Assistant Commissioner for State Parks, Forests & Historic Sites.
The Friends of Barnegat Lighthouse donated a new beacon light for the lighthouse, now visible for 26.5 miles. The group also contributed new security fencing and cameras. A ceremony on Oct. 29, 2022, marked the light's activation.
Barnegat Lighthouse has been a memorable part of the local landscape since its construction in 1856 and stands as a treasured site on both the New Jersey and National Register of Historic Places. Located on the northern tip of Long Beach Island in Ocean County, it was once considered a critical navigation point for coastal vessels, guiding them safely past the area's notorious shoals.
For more information about New Jersey’s Parks, Forests & Historic Sites, visit www.njparksandforests.org/.
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