PORTLAND HEAD LIGHT

The creation of this lighthouse followed a terrible accident in 1787. The growing concern of merchant ship captains about the presence of dangerous rocks at the entrance of the harbor finally convinced the authorities to build it. It was the first president of the United States, George Washington, who ordered its construction. It is one of the oldest in the region (1791) and one of the symbols of Maine. The original tower was 22 meters tall, lit by 16 whale oil lamps. In 1864, the first Fresnel lens was installed. Among the most famous depictions of the lighthouse is Edward Hopper's painting, Portland Head-Line, (1927). The lighthouse tower is open to the public only one day a year, on Maine Open Lighthouse Day, usually in September. This annual event, sponsored by the U.S. Coast Guard, the Maine Office of Tourism, and the American Lighthouse Foundation, attracts between 15,000 and 18,000 visitors each year. A dozen historic Maine lighthouses are included in this special opening day (see website for more information). Maine has no less than 65 historic lighthouses spread over more than 5,000 miles of coastline and islands, literally the "Lighthouse State.
The small adjoining museum, as well as Fort Williams Park, remain open year-round. On more than 30 landscaped acres, you can stroll, picnic, and drown your eyes in the endless ocean.