In recognition of this landmark 200th anniversary, NOAA and the Smithsonian Institution's Traveling Exhibition Services have created From Sea to Shining Sea: 200 Years of Charting America's Coasts which opens June 21, 2007 in 200 venues nationwide.
The Montauk Lighthouse Museum is proud to be selected as one of the national venues. This exhibit is located in the museum's Gilmartin Galleries (rooms #8 & 9 above).
The exhibit celebrates the history, accomplishments, and scientific contributions of the nation's first federally funded science agency. The 20 colorful posters are illustrated with photos, charts, and artwork from the Surveys archives.
From Sea to Shining Sea: 200 Years of Charting America's Coasts is brought to you courtesy of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the Smithsonian Institution.
On display in the keepers parlor are Montauk Point Lighthouse drawings and photographs from 1791 to 1939.
This room served as the Head Keepers bedroom from 1860 to 1947. Today it is used to display four models of the Montauk Point Lighthouse and its terrain. They depict the structural changes that occurred between 1796 and 1943. They also show the devastating effects of erosion on the bluff known as Turtle Hill. This room has been dedicated in honor of Giorgina Reid. Mrs. Reid initiated the "Erosion Control" program at the Lighthouse in 1970. Driving from Jackson Heights, N.Y. each week for more than twenty years, Giorgina and Donald Reid successfully fought off erosion with her patented method of reed-trench terracing.
SOUTH BASEMENT [ top ]
Located beneath sections 2 & 3, this section of the dwelling served as a central kitchen and dining area for the keepers and their families. In 1892, an additional kitchen was built in the north basement for the two assistant keepers. The head keeper continued to use the south basement kitchen until it was transformed into a recreation room in 1943. The video "The Montauk Lighthouse, Sentinel of Long Island" can be viewed here throughout the day.
The central hallway first built in 1860 and later enlarged, connects the Keepers Dwelling to the oil room and tower. On display is a one-of-a-kind museum exhibit, "Lighthouses Surrounding Long Island". The model 15' long and 4' wide, depicts 28 light stations from Manhattan to Point Judith, Rhode Island.
This was the communication center for the lighthouse, where weather and radio beacon signals were transmitted. Emergency distress calls were received and rescue units were,notified from here. Presently the new lighthouse keeper's room.
Once used to store cisterns of oil and supplies for the lighthouse, this room is the location of the only entrance and exit to the tower. On display is the original 3 1/2 Order Fresnel Bivalve Lens. The lens was placed into service in 1903 and removed on February 3, 1987.
A spiral staircase climbs 86' to the watch deck where visitors may view the new light in the lantern room.
Once the bedrooms for the assistant keepers, and the past museum gift shop area is now a 4 room exhibit "Where Land Meets Sea & Sky: Exploring Montauk History through the Richard T. Gilmartin Galleries". The lighthouse gift shop and visitor center is now located at the bottom of the hill at the property entrance.
