OWLS HEAD — Two hundred years ago today, the Owls Head Lighthouse beamed its first light toward the sea with the intention of guiding mariners to shore and evolving into an assurance to those seeking tangible markers in an ocean of uncertainty. To mark the occasion, and each of those 200 years, the lighthouse opened its doors to visitors, former keepers, speakers, and cake.

Sept. 10, 2025, with Lighthouse Association Executive Director Bob Trapani, Jr., as emcee, folks gathered to enjoy birthday cake and listen to the words of a Coast Guard representative and representatives voicing letters from the offices of Congresswoman Chellie Pingree and U.S. senators Susan Collins and Angus King Jr., with Collins’ office gifting a U.S. flag that had flown above the Capitol. Streams of people made their way through the ceremony's sitting area, past the brick flower planter (keeper Andy Germann) near the base of the hill that were once part of the outer layer of the lighthouse itself, past the memorial stones planted where flags once flew, and climbed the staircases to a second or third rendition of Maine’s 13th lighthouse along the coast of Maine.

“Like so many of Maine’s lighthouse’s, it has become more than a navigational aid,” read Christina Valar Breen, regional representative for King. “It stands as a reminder of guidance, strength and service along our coast. Your work to preserve this legacy ensures that its light will continue to shine for generations to come.”

When CWO4 U.S. Coast Guard (Ret.) Paul Dilger was keeper, part of the responsibility was to make sure that the people of Owls Head knew that this was their home and this was their place.

“It was such a privilege and an opportunity to live out here,” he said. “I can’t describe how cool it was.”

Former keeper Gorham Rowell also attended the 150th anniversary, which was kept low-key against public attention because it was being converted to automation at the time. However, he estimates that the same amount of people were in attendance.

“It’s a tremendous undertaking when you chose to be on one of these stations,” said Rowell. “When you become a lighthouse keeper, the essence of it is, a piece of you stays with the station the day you leave. And a piece of the station goes with you for the rest of your life.”

Rowell said there’d been difficult times in his life and he’d find himself coming over from New Hampshire just to touch the base of the tower, and just to look out across the water.

“And somehow, the power of the beacon, the power of the past, positive memory or whatever, brings me back to the present, brings me back to more normal.”

Rowell is also thankful for automation. The fog horn would be: two second blast, two second pause, two second blast and then 16 second pause, three times a minute. The requirement was that if he couldn’t see Vinalhaven island, even on a warm, fog-less day like Sept. 10, 2025, he had to run it.

“And the telephone calls I would get,” he said. “I thank God for automation. It’s been a positive thing.”

Change wasn’t easy for everyone, though. Owls Head Light volunteer Phelps Bristol said: “I find myself in this era. If not, of this age. Both of us became overwhelmed with modernity….but she [the lighthouse] has a need. Now no longer blowing her own horn. And I have time. So much respect for her art. Where, by my definition, art is the present commemoration of the cumulative task as a lesson for the future. A gift. Such value and beauty represented here. Especially in the climate of today.”

Trapani reiterated what Electrician’s mate 1st Class Chase Miller said. As things keep changing, we need them to change. Because anything that stays status quo will be lost.

In conclusion to the ceremony, Trapani adjusted focus from remembering the past to looking forward, for the next 100 years, which begins today.

“We must ensure that the Owls Head Light Station will continue to make new history in the years ahead,” said Trapani. “Present and future history may indeed look different than the days of yore. But this cherished light station and its guiding light have never looked back in time. They have only looked forward. We have gone from lighthouse keepers to keepers of the light. The keepers of the light are you and me."

Reach Sarah Thompson at news@penbaypilot.com