Whitehead Light Station, a nonprofit dedicated to preserving a historic Maine lighthouse, offers a unique retreat on Whitehead Island. Commissioned by Thomas Jefferson in 1803 and restored in 2008 by Pine Island Camp, it provides enriching adult programs where guests can escape the mainland and immerse themselves in Maine’s natural beauty and maritime heritage.
Whitehead Light Station was commissioned by President Thomas Jefferson in 1803. It was the seventh lighthouse commissioned in the United States and has been in continuous operation ever since. The Light Station has seen many changes in its long history, but the mission of the station has always been the same: to provide a beacon to mariners negotiating the challenging waters that mark the entrance to Penobscot Bay. Today Whitehead Light continues to be an aid to navigation used by recreational boaters and professional mariners. While Pine Island Camp is the owner of the Light Station, the light is maintained and operated by the U.S. Coast Guard.
The original light tower was lit by a whale oil lamp and was maintained by a single light keeper family. In 1891 the original rubble stone keeper’s dwelling was razed and the current two-family dwelling for the keeper and assistant was built on the old foundation. In 1895 a second assistant keeper was added to the crew. A single-family house for the Head Keeper was built in 1900. The light was automated in 1982 and both keeper’s dwellings were boarded up and abandoned. The lovely Head Keeper's House was torn down in the mid-1980s, and outcry over its demise, along with that of a few other lovely keeper’s houses along the Maine Coast, gave rise to the Maine Lights Program. It was through the efforts of the Island Institute that federal legislation was passed that made it possible for responsible owners to be found for nearly all of the 32 lighthouse properties in Maine. Pine Island Camp, a nonprofit with a 40-year history of responsible stewardship on Whitehead Island, applied for and was granted ownership of the Light Station in 1997.
Join us as a volunteer and make a lasting impact at Pine Island Camp and Whitehead Light Station. Whether lending a hand on Great Pond or Whitehead Island, you’ll reconnect with these special places, build meaningful connections, and enjoy a well-organized, rewarding experience.
Whitehead Light Station in 1960 before the head keeper's house was razed.
Since 1998 Pine Island Camp has been working to renovate the Keeper’s House and other Light Station structures, and has purchased property on the mainland at Emery's Wharf to serve as a parking area and debarkation point for programs at the Light Station. This work has been made possible through generous donations of time and funds by Pine Island Camp alumni and other friends of WLS. Whitehead Light Station will continue to serve as an aid to navigation, but it will now also serve as a place for rest, recreation, and learning for adults.
Whitehead Light Station is a historic landmark that needs your help to shine for future generations. Your donation will fund essential repairs and preservation efforts, ensuring this iconic lighthouse continues to guide and inspire.
The porches at Whitehead Light Station were rebuilt as part of a renovation project, restoring their historic charm while improving the lighthouse’s functionality and aesthetic appeal.
Stay updated on Whitehead Light Station programs, events, and news!
Whitehead Light Station | Whitehead Island, St George, ME | (207) 200-7957 | info@whiteheadlightstation.org
Copyright © 2025 Whitehead Light Station - All Rights Reserved.
We use cookies to analyze website traffic and optimize your website experience. By accepting our use of cookies, your data will be aggregated with all other user data.