An Island Landmark In Decay: The Sorry State Of Brant Point Lighthouse

The Brant Point Point Lighthouse is the first thing most people see when they come to Nantucket. It’s the billboard for the island, and the background for thousands of snapshots and postcards. And frankly, it’s seen better days.

When Nantucket Current recently shared photos of members of Coast Guard Station Brant Point hanging a daffodil wreath at the lighthouse, many of the comments weren’t remarking on the beautiful wreath. They were decrying the shabby condition of the lighthouse and asking who was responsible for fixing it.

Broken shingles, peeling paint, rust, graffiti, mold and moss now adorn the iconic island landmark. Why won’t the town do anything?

Well, it’s not actually the town that is responsible for Brant Point Lighthouse’s maintenance and upkeep. That responsibility rests with the United States Coast Guard, which owns the property.

So we reached out to Coast Guard Station Brant Point’s Master Chief Boatswain’s Mate Andrew Babione with some questions about the condition of the lighthouse and any plans for its rehab. Since Station Brant Point isn’t directly involved in maintaining the landmark, Babione sent our questions on to Coast Guard Sector Southeastern New England in Woods Hole. They weren’t able to answer them either, and about a week later, we got a response from the Coast Guard’s public affairs office in Boston.

Petty Officer 1st Class Amanda Wyrick told the Current that the Coast Guard’s Aids to Navigation Team (ANT) in Woods Hole is ultimately responsible, but only for “ensuring proper operation of the Navigation Signal and minor maintenance projects required to ensure the navigation signal is operational. Any major structural repairs would be determined by the District and conducted with the assistance of Civil Engineering Unit Providence..”

The last time maintenance work was performed was June 2021, Wyrick said, but that was strictly on the walkway structure leading up to the 26-foot tall lighthouse. The next structural inspection isn’t scheduled until the fiscal year 2025, “which will inform the next major restoration planning,” she said.

While there was discussion in 2004 about the lighthouse being declared surplus and potentially being turned over to the town, that never happened, and responsibility remains with the Coast Guard. So, we asked, why has it been allowed to deteriorate into such a shabby condition?

“The lighthouse is fully operational, displaying its published light phasing and supporting the safe entrance of vessels into Nantucket Harbor,” Wyrick said. “While the Coast Guard is aware of cosmetic concerns associated with the building and working to address, the priority is ensuring the light is operating as designed.”

Brant Point Light was built in 1746 and is the second oldest lighthouse in the country, according to the Nantucket Historical Association. What you see today is actually its tenth rebuilding, which occurred in 1901. The lighthouse was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1987.

“The Nantucket Preservation Trust is pleased to hear that the USCG is planning a structural investigation that will inform the next major restoration planning for Brant Point Light,” said the group’s executive director Mary Bergman. “Proper maintenance is critical to preserving this, and any other, historic building.”