Chesapeake Bay lighthouse enthusiasts, rejoice: the historic Point Lookout lighthouse has reopened at the bottom tip of Southern Maryland, a long seven years after it closed for renovations.
The Maryland Park Service and the Point Lookout Lighthouse Preservation Society (PLLPS), Inc. celebrated the milestone with a ribbon cutting, officially kicking off the 2025 return season.
The renovations were extensive. According to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, the project took place in four phases: design of the lighthouse, smokehouse, coal shed, and buoy shed (interior and exterior); renovation of those buildings; design of all the exhibits for the lighthouse, buoy shed, and outside interpretive panels; and fabrication of those exhibits and interpretive panels.
St. Mary’s County metal fabricator Sparks Custom Metal Works took care of some of the projects. Wooden railings, which had become unsafe over time, were replaced with white aluminum railings that will hold up for years. Interpretive sign stands were also replaced with aluminum to help it last over time. Changes like these ensure more longevity for the historic site.
Point Lookout has already held up, in various forms, since 1830. Built that year for just $3,350, the original structure was only one third of the size it is today. It was expanded multiple times from 1883 to 1927. Lightkeepers, including at least three women, tended Point Lookout from 1830 until 1966, when the last keeper darkened the lighthouse for the final time.
The lighthouse and property were used by the U.S. Navy until 2006. The Maryland Park Service assumed control of it, and the volunteer-run PLLPS was formed to maintain and restore aspects of the lighthouse. The recent renovation project aimed to restore Point Lookout to its appearance in the 1920s. The newly restored coal and buoy sheds date back to the 1880s. Then, the Park Service got to work on the exhibits and educational experiences.
The park plans to open the interior of the lighthouse to the public for self-guided tours the weekend before Memorial Day through September. Hours will be posted on the park website. Editor’s note: the site isn’t totally updated just yet, so plan for Memorial Day weekend for now!
If you don’t want to wait, you can see the outdoor exhibits and buildings anytime Point Lookout State Park is open. The lighthouse grounds, outside interpretive panels, coal shed, and buoy shed are all open to the public.
