Event Examines Cape Cod’s Lost Lighthouses

The Mayo Beach Light station in Wellfleet, Massachusetts, as it appeared around 1915. The light station was discontinued in 1922. Photo/Cape Cod Maritime Museum.

The Bishop and Clerks Lighthouse during its controlled demolition. The lighthouse was located on a dangerous shoal about two miles south of Point Gammon, near Hyannis. Photo/Cape Cod Maritime Museum.

Lighthouse enthusiasts and anyone interested in maritime history will get the chance to take a fascinating glimpse at the legacy of Cape Cod’s lost lighthouses while also sampling craft beer in early December.

The Cape Cod Maritime Museum in Barnstable will host a discussion on Cape Cod’s lost lights as part of the museum’s History On Tap series on Thursday, December 4 from 5 to 7 p.m.

The Cape Cod region has been home to more than 30 lighthouses over the years, many of which have become cherished landmarks, community symbols, and even iconic logos. But what happens when no one steps in to care for these silent sentinels of the sea? When lighthouses grow obsolete or slip into disrepair, their stories risk being forgotten.

For this event, Cape Cod Maritime Museum’s own Collections and Exhibits Manager, Sam Notick, will tell the stories of Cape Cod’s lost lighthouses.

Attendees will also have the opportunity to enjoy craft beer from Cape Cod Beer, along with cheese, crackers, water, and non-alcoholic beer options.

Admission is $10 per person and $5 for museum members. Museum officials recommend attendees reserve their tickets in advance on the museum website, as events often sell out quickly.

Learn more about the Cape Cod Lost Lights event here.