You see it out there? I love this photo showing the point at Cape Henlopen. Our destination on July 20th was the historic Harbor of Refuge. This is one of the two lighthouses located on the Delaware Bay between Lewes, and Cape May, New Jersey.
Cape May-Lewes Ferry
“The earliest lighthouses were simple bonfires built on hillsides to guide ships. The first American lighthouse came to life in 1716 at Boston Harbor.”
The Delaware Breakwater, the East End Lighthouse, and the Harbor of Refuge Light Station entered in 1976 on the National Register of Historic Places as the nation’s first offshore Historic District.
I have been touring these lighthouses for the past 6 years. When I have a guest that might be interested in something like this I go for it. This lighthouses and the breakwater are iconic. They were the first structures of their kind to be built in the Western Hemisphere.
For the purpose of this post I am writing about the Harbor of Refuge. The tour was given by The Delaware River & Bay Lighthouse Foundation. They are the caretaker of this lighthouse. Please visit the website http://delawarebaylights.org.
In the website you can check the tours. They usually give the tours until mid September. The telephone is 302-644-7046. You can also check them on Facebook. Usually they say you have to send forms in but I think if you are here at the beach, you might be able to go anyway. Just give them a call or email them.
On July 20th I invited friends from Ocean City, Maryland to this tour. I don’t know if you remember but it was so hot. We arrived at the Cape May-Lewes Ferry Terminal in Lewes. My friends had not experienced this.
On the Rocks is the outdoor restaurant and bar and Dogfish Head has its own little space there, as well.
The organizers of the tour were getting ready. We on the other hand were hiding from the heat.
It was time to go. You do have to wear life vests and make sure you wear closed toe shoes too. The tour departs from the finger pier.
Before arriving to the Harbor of Refuge we got close to the East End Lighthouse for a few photo opportunities.
Along the way you may spot dolphins and all kinds of fish. In the tour you will usually have Red and Garrett and several docents.
The Delaware Breakwater along with the lighthouses are marvels of the 19th century. They were the first structures of their kind to be built in the Western Hemisphere. The breakwater wall started construction in 1828.
On this particular day spear fishing was going on.
The Harbor of Refuge was built in 1926 to replace a previous lighthouse. The Harbor of Refuge is one of the most exposed lighthouses on the Atlantic seaboard. Just this past week, on the Cape Gazette there was an article mentioning how in need of repair is this lighthouse. I think because its precarious location, it is in need of repair at all times. The rocks on one side are coming down because of the erosion. In 2013 I took the first 2 photos and just this year I took this other photo. You can see what they are talking about.
Now you will see the difference in this one.
During this particular tour Bill Harris was with us. He was the last keeper of the lighthouse in 1973.
Each level of the lighthouse had its purpose. Kitchen, sleeping quarters, etc. etc. And throughout the tour the docents are able to answer all your questions.
I recommend this tour. The scenery and the history are just so impressive.
It did not matter if it was that hot. We made it.
On the above photo we were getting ready to go back. You can see Red giving the last instructions, Bill Harris and I think that is Garrett on the far left. And Cindi and I sitting below thinking that just about this time a beer would be wonderful.
I have plenty of post on these lighthouses on this website. Please check them out to see if this is something you might like to do. By visiting and donating to the Delaware River & Bay Lighthouse Foundation we can keep them going.
I do have a Facebook Page for AboutMyBeaches. You can leave me comments there.
Hope your Summer 2019 has been awesome.
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In June of 2013 I got curious about the 2 lighthouses located between Lewes, Delaware and Cape May, New Jersey. Writing a blog about the Delaware Beaches and beyond gives me so much information. Information that I can pass on to you. The Delaware Beaches are year round resorts and there is plenty to do if you choose to do so, or nothing at all if you just want to relax. I went on a tour this summer with the Delaware River & Bay Lighthouse Foundation. This organization is dedicated to the preservation of the Harbor of Refuge Lighthouse. When I first visited you could not step out off the boat and go inside the lighthouse. We actually then went inside the East End Lightouse. More about that one in another post. Since then there has been a lot of restoration to the Harbor of Refuge, and this summer they opened it for tours.
The Delaware River & Bay Lighthouse Foundation can be contacted by calling 302-644-7046. The website is http://www.delawarebaylights.org/
My friend, Sharon, who is a true local, and very proud of it, had never visited the lighthouses but always wanted to. We arrived at the Cape-May Lewes Ferry Terminal in Lewes. That’s is where we would be picked up. Arriving a little early we decided to have something to eat at the outdoor bar/restaurant called On the Rocks. Best view and great burgers, as well.
Finally, the boat arrived and Sharon and I were ready.
The Cape-May Lewes Ferry was just coming in but our main goal was to get to the historic and iconic Harbor of Refuge.
It was one of those beautiful days in Delmarva and Cape Henlopen looked awesome.
The keeper of this lonely offshore lighthouse. It was hard work. Storms were relentless and waves would reach all the way up the lighthouse. We first passed the East End Lighthouse. But, we had to continue to our destination.
The Delaware Breakwater along with the lighthouses are engineer marvels of the 19th century. They were the first strucures of the kind built in the Western Hemisphere. In 1976, the Delaware Breakwater, the East End Lighthouse and the Harbor of Refuge Light Station were inducted into the National Register of Historic Places as the Nation’s first offshore Historic District.
The imposing Harbor of Refuge was in front of us. We got off the boat and climbed the stairs to the different levels where the Keeper lived. Docents are able to give you all the information you need. The most important thing is the feeling you get of what would be like to “walk in the steps of the Lightkeeper”.
The Harbor of Refuge’s dock has been restored. So much work in raising funds to maintain this historic lighthouse. The dock has been dedicated to Red Moulinier, President of the Delaware River & Bay Lighthouse Foundation for his time and efforts. The lighthouse still has more renovations on the way along with maintenance. It has been painted and it looks beautiful.
From the top of the lighthouse the views are unbelievable as you can imagine. At times, dolphins and mantas pass by.
By visiting the website above mentioned you will be able to see what tours they will have next year. Also check the sunset tours. You will not go inside the lighthouses but will circle around them for those Kodak moments. Tours book quickly and, of course, it also depends on the weather. This weekend they have tours on Saturday, but they are already sold out. For more info. you may call Red at 302-226-3866. There is also a button on the website for donations. Every little bit helps.
If you would like to see my other posts on these lighthouses, with photos, please visit my website at http://www.aboutmybeaches.com.
Have a great time this weekend. The beginning of Fall!!
By the way, lots of locals on this tour. We had fun!!
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If you are visiting the Delaware Beaches this week-end, check what is going on in the Historic town of Lewes.
The 2011 International Beachcombing Conference is being held at the University of Delaware’s Virden Retreat Center on 700 Pilottown Rd. in Lewes, until Sunday. The conference is open to the public and you are invited to celebrate and learn about the treasures you can find at the shore.
The Nation’s leading ocean beachcombing experts will share their knowledge of sea glass, fossils, stone and so much more. Please visit www.beachcombingconference.com for complete information.
Saturday, 11/5 and Sunday, 11/6 – The Holiday Sea Glass & Beach Arts Bazaar will also be part of the Conference. Saturday from 10 to 5 p.m. and on Sunday from 10 to 3 p.m.
The Mid-Atlantic and the Delaware Bay are the perfect places to discover beach treasures….have a great week-end….
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Out and about is where I found myself yesterday; you know errands, hair appt., delivering figs to Madelon, stopping at the Lifesaving Station, etc. etc.
It was late in the afternoon, almost at sunset and as I was approaching Dewey Beach I decided to detour and enter New Road on the Bay. There was nobody collecting the entry fee. This spot is part of the Delaware State Parks.
As I was taking in the view I could not help to think how lucky we are to live in this coastal area. Open spaces, marshes, wild birds, the beach.
I watched the fisherman at the distance. I needed to approach him. He was seine fishing. A seine is a large fishing net that hangs in the water by attaching weights along the bottom edge and floats along the top. They are used to encircle schools of fish.
I was able to talk to him and watch him carry the net full of fish to his cooler. It looked like I was stalking him but no; this was an unexpected post for my blog.
I could not believe that the cooler was almost full with Menhaden fish. He said it only took him about 1/2 hour. Menhaden is a silvery herring-like fish that travels in large schools. It is considered inedible for humans but processed into oil for cosmetics and fish meal for animals, particularly poultry.
Then I spotted the clammer; his family joined him. The Delaware Bay is so shallow in this area that they were able to really walk out far.
I loved finding that lonely chair on the bay. The Bay was quiet, serene, still and so picturesque; then my next thought was I better go home because, “ouch”, the “no-see-ums” are getting to me.
Talk to you later…..you know I will….
Note: If you feel like grilling on this area, there is a barbecue grill and 2 picnic tables available to the public.
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Comments Off on The Harbor of Refuge Lighthouse, Lewes, Delaware, Tour, Review, Delaware Bay, Southern Delaware, Summer 2019