History & Heritage: Lighthouses

They were once trusted tools for navigation at sea. Today they are windows into our nautical past, filled with folklore and stories of shipwrecks, heroism, romance and, some say, ghosts.

There's Boston Light, the oldest lighthouse in America, established in 1716. Highland Light on Cape Cod, the first light seen on a voyage from Europe to Boston. Scituate Light, the oldest lighthouse in the U.S. with attached living quarters. There are so many more, and we welcome you to come explore, learn about and experience our wondrous array of historic beacons, located up and down our coastlines.

Quick Hits

Brant Point Light on Nantucket Island has been moved and rebuilt more than any other...Nauset Light on the Cape Cod National Seashore was moved back from the shoreline in 1996...Race Point Light, in Provincetown, is open to the public for overnight stays...Thacher Island Lights in Rockport is the only surviving U.S. lighthouse with multiple lights.