Curtis Island Lighthouse Hosted Visitors for Open Day

The local foundation welcomed guests to explore four historic structures in Camden Harbor.

Updated on Sept. 19, 2026 in Botany

A white cylindrical lighthouse tower stands on a rugged, granite coastal cliff overlooking the calm waters of a Maine harbor. — The Curtis Island Lighthouse Foundation opened its historic 19th-century structures to visitors on Saturday to raise funds for ongoing restoration and invasive plant management. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The Curtis Island Lighthouse Foundation hosted visitors on Maine Open Lighthouse Day. Guests toured the historic site to support the ongoing preservation of its 19th-century structures.

Why it matters

The event provides critical funding for the restoration of the island station. It also served as a venue for educational programming regarding local invasive plant species.

The site includes four historic structures consisting of the light tower, the light keeper's house, a barn, and an oil shed. These buildings were rebuilt in the late 1880s following the station's original 1835 construction.

The players

Curtis Island Lighthouse Foundation

This organization oversees the maintenance and historical restoration of the lighthouse property.

Amy Thomas

She serves as a restoration ecologist who presented educational material on invasive species.

Patricia Fulton

She co-presented the educational program regarding island flora during the open house.

The details

Volunteers transported visitors to the island using landing craft and a Boston Whaler to tour the historic property. Restoration Ecologist Amy Thomas and Patricia Fulton presented information on local invasive plants to attendees.

The light station was originally constructed in 1835.
The current structures on the island were rebuilt in the late 1880s.
The Maine Open Lighthouse Day event took place on Saturday, September 12, 2026.

Deeper Dive

This event occurred as part of the broader Maine Open Lighthouse Day, a state-coordinated initiative that promotes public access to historic coastal maritime sites. The day highlights the ongoing preservation efforts required to maintain Maine's heritage of 19th-century navigation aids.

The public event allowed residents to engage directly with local preservation goals and learn about invasive plants that impact the island ecosystem. This interaction helps inform community members about specific botanical threats facing the Maine coast.

The takeaway

Supporting historic preservation through community events ensures the structural longevity of regional landmarks. Integrating botanical education into these visits helps visitors understand the ecological challenges present in their local environment.