The primary goal of this project is the interior and exterior restoration of the historic absecon lighthousewhich was placed on the national historic register in january 1971 as a structure of…

This $1,918,810 Project Grant award from the National Park Service's Save America's Treasures program (CFDA 15.929) will fund the interior and exterior restoration of the historic Absecon Lighthouse in Atlantic City, New Jersey. The Absecon Lighthouse, which was placed on the National Historic Register in 1971 as a structure of national importance, is threatened by moisture intrusion that is damaging its brick and cast-iron construction. The restoration project will address this deterioration through ventilation improvements, exterior brick and mortar repair, and interior brick and metal restoration. This work will preserve the original integrity of the lighthouse, which serves as a symbol of resilience and maritime history in Atlantic City. The project will be carried out by the Inlet Public Private Association, Inc., a non-profit organization that leases and manages the lighthouse site. The award period runs from October 1, 2024 to September 30, 2027.

The primary goal of this project is the interior and exterior restoration of the historic absecon lighthousewhich was placed on the national historic register in january 1971 as a structure of national importance. Thelighthouse is threatened due to moisture intrusion which is damaging the soundness of the towers brick andcastiron construction. The absecon lighthouse is new jerseys tallest lighthouse and the third tallest masonrylighthouse in the united states. Designed by george meade (later to become a prominent union general during the civil war), absecon is the prototype for new jerseys other two tall lighthouses, cape may and barnegat light. The lighthouse consists of a conical exterior brick masonry tower which is attached to an interior brick tower with brick radial walls separated by ventilation cavities. The lighthouses original first order fresnel lens, first LIT in 1857, remains in its lantern and, although no longer an official navigation beacon, continues to shine nightly over atlantic city. The absecon lighthouse represents atlantic citys proud heritage as not only one of the nations original seashore resorts, but also is a symbol of new jerseys and the nations rich maritime history. The inlet public private association, which leases the lighthouse from the NJ department of environmental protection, manages the site both as an educationalvenue and as a major tourist attraction within atlantic city.today, in spite of previous attempts in the late 20TH century. Absecon lighthouse s masonry and iron constructioncontinue to deteriorate. The brick masonry structure has trapped moisture at least 3 brick wythes deep into thewall at both the top and bottom of the exterior tapered brick tower. This trapped moisture has migrated throughthe connecting radial walls to the interior brick tower. The result is widespread failure of paint as well asdeterioration of brick surfaces. The moisture has resulted in pervasive metal corrosion which threatens theintegrity of the towers watch and lantern levels. An engineering study, conducted in 2023, has determined thecauses of the moisture and proposes recommendations to halt the deterioration. This study includesrecommendations based on a condition assessment, investigative building probes, non-destructive testing andmaterial analysis. This project will take a series of steps to improve air circulation and allow the brick todry out while restoring damaged materials. This projects activities, based on the 2023 engineering assessment, will provide essential ventilationimprovements, exterior brick and mortar repair and restoration and interior brick and metals repair andrestoration which will preserve the original integrity of the lighthouse while allowing IT to continue as asymbol of resilience and preservation in atlantic city.tracking