Avery Point Lighthouse

Construction Updates

Beginning in mid-August, after a hiatus of over a year and eight months, work on the second phase of the restoration of the Avery Point Lighthouse is in “full swing”.

The Joseph Gnazzo Company, Inc., of Vernon, CT, which specializes in exterior stonework restorations, has been contracted to do the work.  This company comes highly recommended and its employees are considered to be some of the best highly skilled restoration craftsmen in the country. 

Members of the Avery Point Lighthouse Society (APLS) have visited the lighthouse on an almost daily basis to watch and document the various stages of work being accomplished.  Several significant aspects of the construction project have taken place over the past six weeks and it is anticipated that the overall restoration of the structure and the surrounding landscape will be completed by November 1^st.

Almost immediately upon mobilizing to the site, workers for Gnazzo removed the cast stone railings and marble balusters from the balustrade which surrounded the wooden lantern room on the top of the tower.  Replacement cast stone rails, comprised of the same materials and texture as those removed, have been fabricated and will be arriving on site within the next few weeks.

While the thirty-two marble balusters were being removed from the balustrade, ten were found broken in half and another ten or so had cracks or large voids which required attention. These balusters were imported from Italy around the turn of the century and were an important factor in having the lighthouse accepted for listing on the National Register of Historic Places.  Thus repair of these balusters was extremely important.

A stone mason who specializes in the restoration of damaged stone was brought on board and within one week had repaired and restored all of the balusters. The members of APLS who had witnessed the restoration process were amazed that, even upon close inspection, it was extremely difficult to detect any signs of the repairs. The only words to properly describe this stage of the restoration would be “First Class”.

In the mean time, while the balusters were being repaired, other workers were busy preparing the top of the tower to accommodate the newly duplicated wooden lantern room.  While removing the old materials from this area, roots from vines, that had found their way to the top of the structure, were found growing under the roofing materials.  New blocks, matching those used to replace the block on the main structure of the lighthouse, were used to construct a three foot foundation on which the lantern would be attached.  Aluminum flashing was installed on the roof to prohibit future leaks and, of course, to prevent the unwelcome growth of vegetation. All joints in the flashing materials were welded together to insure proper seal and stability.  Again, “First Class”.