OLD SAYBROOK, Conn. — Borough leaders in Fenwick have released a preliminary plan for taking stewardship of the historic Lynde Point Lighthouse, laying out intentions to return the structure to its late-19th-century appearance, provide public access through tours and invest municipal money for stabilization and shoreline protection.
Transfer hinges on federal remediation
The property, awarded to Fenwick by the U.S. Department of the Interior earlier this year at no purchase cost, will not be transferred until the federal government completes remediation work on the site, Fenwick Warden Newton Brainard said. That process could push possession to the borough as late as spring 2027, Brainard added.
Fenwick submitted its initial application to the National Park Service in November 2023. The plan has since been published on the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection website as part of the public record. Officials emphasized the application functions as a starting point — a framework they intend to revise after a more thorough inspection of the property once ownership is formalized.
Restoration goals and public access
Officials described a restoration approach aimed at removing later additions and alterations that are not consistent with the lighthouse’s condition in the late 1800s, when keeper John Buckridge oversaw the property. Part of Fenwick’s vision is to open the lighthouse to visitors through both in-person and virtual guided tours modeled, in part, on a limited one-hour public tour that took place in 2022.
"Based upon what we find, we will amend our plan appropriately,"
That cautionary line from Brainard underscores Fenwick’s expectation that work required to stabilize and restore the property may change once a full assessment is completed.
Planned projects and funding
The borough’s outline lists multiple projects, including demolition of an adjacent duplex built in 1966 and significant investments in shoreline protection. Officials said the borough intends to cover restoration and protective work from existing municipal funds rather than federal grants tied to the transfer.
Fenwick’s application specifically references a planned investment of $415,000 for construction or repair of the seawall near the lighthouse — a key defensive measure against erosion and rising tides along the Long Island Sound entrance to the Connecticut River.
- Restore the lighthouse to its documented late-19th-century condition
- Demolish a 1966 duplex adjacent to the tower
- Provide in-person and virtual guided tours
- Invest municipal funds, including $415,000 for a seawall
Historic context and responsibilities
The federal government announced in 2024 it would convey the property free of charge, but with conditions: the new owner must preserve and maintain the navigational landmark without federal financial support. That stipulation shaped Fenwick’s approach, officials said, and remains a central constraint for planning and budgeting.
During the initial selection process, Fenwick competed with other applicants, including the New London Maritime Society, to obtain stewardship of the lighthouse. Borough leaders say their application acts as a roadmap for future work and engagement with the community.
Uncertainties remain
While borough officials have articulated goals, they also stressed that the draft plan could change. A detailed investigation of the property — including structural assessment, environmental testing and shoreline engineering studies — will inform final restoration priorities and timelines once the borough gains control of the site.
| Item | Fenwick plan (preliminary) |
|---|---|
| Ownership transfer | After federal remediation; possibly by spring 2027 |
| Primary restoration aim | Return lighthouse to late-19th-century condition |
| Public access | In-person and virtual guided tours |
| Major expenditure cited | $415,000 for seawall work |
The lighthouse sits at Fenwick on the northern shore of Long Island Sound at the mouth of the Connecticut River. Fenwick officials framed the project as both a preservation effort and a civic investment — a way to protect a local landmark while creating educational and interpretive opportunities for residents and visitors.
As Fenwick moves toward final acquisition, the borough faces practical questions about the sequence of demolition, stabilization, and public programming. Officials say they will adapt the plan to reflect findings from the forthcoming site assessment and any unforeseen costs tied to historic restoration or environmental mitigation.
Residents and interested parties can review the borough’s application and watch for updates through the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection and Fenwick municipal notices as the remediation and transfer process continues.
Marcus Feldman is the state correspondent for WE NEWS covering Connecticut's coastal communities and preservation issues.
