PORT CLYDE — Marshall Point Lighthouse and Museum has announced the return of its 1970s Fresnel barrel lens from the Coast Guard. It had been on display at the Rockland Lighthouse Museum.

Visitors to the Marshall Point Lighthouse Museum will have the opportunity to see it featured in a new display this spring. The museum is open daily from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day.
 
The public’s help is also needed to recover the original fifth order Fresnel lens that graced the tower from 1835 to 1971, when the barrel lens mentioned above replaced it, according to Marshall Point Lighthouse Museum, in a news release.

The Coast Guard moved the fifth order Fresnel lens to the Rockland Coast Guard Station on the pier, where it was on display until its disappearance in 1974. It is known that the lens disappeared prior to the transfer of all artifacts to the Shore Village Lighthouse Museum, according to the Museum.
 
“It is believed that the lens may still be in the Rockland, Maine vicinity,” said the Museum.

Anyone with information that may help to locate the lens, which is United States Coast Guard property, contact United States Coast Guard Curator, Arlyn Danielson at A.S.Danielson@uscg.mil or Nat Lyon, curator at Marshall Point Lighthouse and Museum at nylon.maine@gmail.com. No questions will be asked.

“This would be an ideal opportunity for someone (or a family) to return a historically significant artifact to the community where it can be preserved for future generations and made accessible to the public for interpretive and educational purposes.” said the Museum.
 
“Any help the public can give in located the lens is very much appreciated.”