Burnt Island’s bicentennial celebration honored former keepers and their families; recognized the donors, volunteers over the last two decades, the Keepers of Burnt Island Light -  a nonprofit organization was formed in 2008 to assist the Department of Marine Resources in maintaining the historic site. The original members of which were Jean McKay, Howard Wright, and Bunny Gagne; the docent/actors of the Living History Tour; former Commissioner Robin Alden and former Deputy Commissioner Penn Estabrook for their support and thumbs up from the get-go;    and Elaine Jones, whose vision, tenacity and passion for Burnt Island fueled the island’s restoration, and the development of educational programming for students and teachers – the heart of it all.

Several times Jones was asked “what if it rains?” Each time Jones replied, “It’s not going to rain. It’s not going to rain.” It rained. But, not until everyone was under the tents for the ceremony.

Speakers were Gov. Janet Mills, artist Jamie Wyeth, Boothbay Region Elementary School Assistant Principal and Keepers of the Burnt Island Light (KBIL) member Matthew Lindemann; KBIL President Adam Smart, Deputy Commissioner Meredith Mendelsen of the Department of Marine Resources, and U.S. Coast Guard Captain Amy Florentino. Interim Reverend Peter Ilgenfritz offered the invocation, and Boothbay Region High School sophomore Suzannah Edwards sang the National Anthem A capella.

Three lighthouse keepers attended – Randy Griffing (1974-1977), Stephen Pitchford (1979-1980), and Henry Sieg, the last keeper (1983-1988). Family members of deceased keepers were also present.

In her remarks, Mills said there was federal funding coming down the pike for experiential learning, some of which would make it possible for students around the state to come to Burnt Island to learn its history, and what island living is all about. Mills said some of the federal relief funding being allocated through her Maine Jobs and Recovery Plan will be used to upgrade the pier, the floats and the ramps on the island and make them Americans with Disabilities Act accessible; to increase equitable access to the island; and to add solar power to the buildings and decrease energy costs and improve the island’s overall sustainability.

Mills presented Jones with a plaque that included: “Special Recognition: For nearly 200 years the Burnt Island Lighthouse has guided vessels safely into Boothbay Harbor ... From leading the effort to acquire the lighthouse, and learning its rich history, to restoring the building and grounds, and raising funds to establish the Education Center and Living History Program, Elaine Jones has created a one-of-a-kind experience right here in Boothbay Harbor ... The people of Maine are grateful for Elaine Jones’ commitment to preserving this enduring symbol of our State, and our State’s strong and vital maritime heritage. Ms Jones has protected the future of this historic site for the education and enjoyment of generations to come.”

Jones thanked Mills and recognized two people who made it all possible: Former Commissioner Robin Alden and former Deputy Commissioner Penn Estabrook. She said, “Remember that day I walked into your office and said ‘Are you in a good mood today? Let’s talk.’”

Introducing Wyeth, Jones noted six of his paintings – “Lighthouse Dandelions,” “A Murder of Crows,” “Lighthouse Iris,” “Lighthouse Garden” and “Iris at Sea” were associated with the Maine Lights Program. Wyeth donated a limited edition of 300 signed prints to fund the program’s start up costs. “ Orchestrated by the Island Institute, it allowed for the transfer of 28 lighthouses from the federal government to other organizations. Wyeth’s support was key to Burnt Island’s acquisition and preservation, and key to many others that have been saved as a result of this initiative. The program became the model for the National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act of 2000.

“Recently, Burnt Island was touched by Jamie’s generosity again as the recipient of funds to cover the unplanned cost of replacing the boathouse and coal bunker roofs,” said Jones. “This Wyeth Foundation grant put the finishing touches on the ‘Keep the Light Burning” campaign, an undertaking by the Keepers of the Burnt Island Light that preserved this historic site for hopefully another 200 years.”

Jones and Mills presented Wyeth with a Lighthouse Preservation award, Said Jones, “It is only fitting that we give you a piece of lighthouse history. This photograph of Keeper Joseph W. Jellison was taken around 1910 when he served as the ninth Keeper of the Tenant’s Harbor Light.” (Wyeth has called the lighthouse home for over 30 years.)

Wyeth told the crowd he had come from Monhegan that day to celebrate Elaine, “the multitasker of all time,” who he was introduced to by his friend Rusty Court of East Boothbay. “When Elaine came to me and said she needed help, it didn’t take much urging. I love lighthouses.”

Some lighthouses are reputed to be haunted, and Burnt Island is one of them. One keeper said he saw the ghost of Martha McCobb, wife of James McCobb.

Jean McKay spoke of the brainstorming she and Jones did in 1998 trying to come up with a way to educate children about the island. They decided the program should feature a former lighthouse keeper and his family during their years there. With the help of Barbara Rumsey at Boothbay Region Historical Society, they found Joseph’s Muise’s son, Willard, living in Boothbay Harbor. McKay visited with Willard and his wife Gertrude and came up with a plan. He called his sisters and on June 4, 1999, Willard, Adele, Prudy and Ann returned to Burnt Island after 50 years, and gave McKay and Jones an oral history about their lives on Burnt Island (1936-1951). The siblings also donated many household items they had when they were there, and toys like Adele’s cut out dolls that are on the table in the living room of the keeper’s house. And the living history tour was born.  McKay said the sisters came back many times to coach the girls portraying them in the lighthouse tour, making their acting so real.

Two of the people portraying the sisters were recognized: Beatrix Recoing-Tallen has been part of the program for three years, and Hannah Hills started in second grade and will be a freshman at BRHS this fall. McKay also recognized Karen Grindall, who since 2014 has helped McKay with rehearsals and recruiting girls at the school. Grindall also sewed all the costumes for the Muise girls.

Lindemann spoke about his experiences with Burnt Island when as a fifth grader at Weatherbee School in Hampden he attended one of the student camps. His teacher, Susan O’Brien, was Jones’ collaborator in developing that program. “The student experience on Burnt Island is unlike any other. I learned more about coastal Maine’s natural resources, fisheries, ecosystems, lighthouses, geology and so much more. Each day brought new opportunities for me and my classmates like tide pooling, compass hikes, making fish prints, survival skills, and climbing a lighthouse tower at night. None of these experiences can be replicated in a standard classroom. I look forward to accompanying students from Boothbay and Boothbay Harbor on their first trip to Burnt Island. It is critical that these experiences continue for the next two decades – and beyond – to honor the incredible 200-year history of Burnt Island, the amazing restoration work that was done last year, and the tireless work and dedication of Elaine Jones to develop these great programs.

Steve McCullough, son of keeper James “Red” McCullough, still vividly remembers being responsible for cranking up the bell tower/ fog signal – and Christmas on Burnt Island. The (Maine Seacoast Mission)Sunbeam came and dropped off presents for the whole family. One night, after shopping in Portland we were coming back to the island with presents in our peapod. It was high tide, but we somehow missed the slip and capsized. Lost all of the presents ... except for my football,” he said, laughing. “And I threw that ashore!”

Jones praised all of the volunteers over the last 23 years who played vital roles in making her vision for the island a reality. These included master gardeners Susi Hamblen (on board all 23 years) and Linda Redman; Jacks of all trades: Roger Young, Bill Cooney, Frank Redman and Benny Borkowski; Teacher course participants: Carolyn Nichols, Jana Diket, Sarah Shelley, Celeste Bennis, Deb Clark, Libby Zipperer and Dawn Kinealy; USCG West Boothbay Harbor; Landmark volunteers, AmeriCorps, frequent island visitors, and Jones’ family – husband Jeremy and children Tamara  and Gregory.

“The thing about all of this is there have been so many wonderful people that have been the unsung heroes; that have been here by my side and supported me the whole time,” Jones said. “Over $500,000 was raised in four years by this community – and beyond; to see all of the work done in time for today is a dream come true. Burnt Island is the people’s light. Burnt Island has given back to the public in so many ways and the people have given back by fully restoring it to its glory in time for its bicentennial.”