International Lighthouse and Lightship Weekend

More than four-hundred lighthouses from around the world will participate in International Lighthouse and Lightship Weekend from August 14th to 16th, including the St. Augustine Lighthouse.

Executive Director Kathy A. Fleming, informed local Historic City News reporters that a total of 406 lighthouses from 85 different countries join in this annual event that started in 1998 as a way for maritime beacons, lightships, and lighthouses to connect with each other via amateur radio and advocate for the preservation of these historic structures.

“We always enjoy participating in this worldwide event,” Fleming said. “It brings together so many groups of people who are passionate about the history and care of our historic lighthouses.”

Fleming gave credit to volunteer members of the St. Augustine Amateur Radio Society who help connect our local lighthouse with the world and share our story.

Herman Green, Secretary of SAARS and a St. Augustine Lighthouse and Museum volunteer docent, said, “I think we are all excited about this. The St. Augustine Lighthouse is one of the most unique lighthouses in the world.”

Major amateur radio organizations such as the Radio Society of Great Britain, the Amateur Radio League of America and the Wireless Institute of Australia support and promote this event.

In all, Green anticipates that the St. Augustine Lighthouse will probably come in contact with about 150 other beacons within the 48-hour event.

During regular visiting hours, from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Lighthouse guests are welcome to visit the ILLW headquarters tent to listen and watch as SAARS communicates with other participants around the globe

ABOUT THE ST. AUGUSTINE LIGHTHOUSE & MUSEUM:
A pivotal navigation tool and unique landmark of St. Augustine for over 140 years, the St. Augustine Light Station is host to centuries of history in the Nation’s Oldest Port. Through interactive exhibits, guided tours and maritime research, the 501(c)3 non-profit St. Augustine Lighthouse & Museum is on a mission to preserve, present and keep alive the stories of the Nation’s Oldest Port as symbolized by our working lighthouse. We are the parent organization to the Lighthouse Archaeological Maritime Program (LAMP) and an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution.