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Vent Ball with Spire
This cast iron vent ball is typical of the standard vent balls used on Lighthouses. The purpose of the vent ball was to allow circulation of air up through the light tower through the lantern room and out through the bottom of the vent ball. A series…
Fresnel Lens
The lens on display in the center of this room is a fourth-order lens that was in the tower at Beavertail until it was replaced in 1991 by a rotating beacon.
The lens can be open to allow visitors to see inside.
Touching the glass prisms is…
5 Gallon Oil Container
This oil can was used to carry the whale oil up to the top of the tower to keep the light lit. Visitors are invited to try and lift the can and imagine carrying that can of oil up the 49 steps.
Wooden model of the Beavertail Light Station
Painted wooden model of the Beavertail Light Station, 11 1/2" tall on a 16" wide by 11 1/2" wooden base. Created by Robert Dennis
1749 Foundation Stone
This is a stone from the original foundation of the 1st Lighthouse, built in 1749. The erosion caused by the Great Hurricane of 1938 exposed the foundation and in 2012 it was restored to its original state. The foundation can be viewed in front of…
"Early Lights" Wall Exhibit
This storyboard presents stories of the earliest lighthouses in Rhode Island and Narragansett Bay.
"The Golden Age" Wall Exhibit
This storyboard summarizes the building and expansion of lighthouses in Rhode Island and Narragansett Bay waters in the 18th and 19th century
"The Decline" Wall Exhibit
This storyboard tells the story of several lighthouses that no longer exist due to weather events, deterioration over time, or by being intentionally destroyed. Included are Sabin Point, Gull Rock Light, Whale Rock Light, Bristol Ferry Light, and…
"Preservation" Wall Exhibit
This storyboard highlights preservation efforts that have rescued some local lighthouses. Included are Pomham Rocks, Plum Beach, Rose Island, Sokonnet, Dutch Island, Block Island, and Beavertail.
USCG Navigation Lights Poster
A poster depicting the various navigation lights on display in the Lens Room at Beavertail Lighthouse Museum.
1000 Watt Bulb & Automatic Bulb Changer
1000 Watt Bulb - used in Beavertail's DCB-24 Beacon from 1991 until 2018. Automatic bulb changer. - This was most commonly used in buoys and fixed lights. This mechanism sensed a burned-out bulb and automatically replaced it with a new one.
The Funck-Heap Lamp
This lamp was introduced in 1892. It was the standard lamp that was used in the 4th Order lenses in many lighthouses. It was a standard "Argand lamp" with a single 1 1/8 inch wick.
With a few alterations, the same lamp was used for the 5th and 6th…
Fresnel Lens Wall Exhibit
This wall panel provides the history of the Fresnel lens and its inventor Agustin Jean Fresnel.
Lighthouse Models in Display Case
These models represent the Lighthouse structures that have stood at Beavertail over the years
The model of the first lighthouse was constructed by Varoujan Karentz in 2020.
The maker of the second Lighthouse model is unknown.
The third model,…
Beavertail Lighthouse Model 1749-1754
This model of the Beavertail Lighthouse depicts how it may have appeared between 1749 to 1754.
However, we now know that this model is incorrect. The original lighthouse was octagonal, not circular.
Gaslight Wall Panel
Wall Panel depicting the invention and history of gas lighting in Newport, RI, and at Beavertail Lighthouse.
A Beavertail Ghost?
This photo was taken in 2000 by Don Bucklin.
The article explains how Bucklin's wife, Hope, had seen a figure within the left window of one of the Lighthouse buildings.
Although not clearly defined, Bucklin could make out "a man in his twenties…
Original Foundation Remains Poster
The foundation of the original Lighthouse informational Poster
Red Marine Lantern
This "blinking Light" is one of the biggest "Single Piece Acrylic Fresnel Optic".
Manufactured by Tideland Signal Co, this type of light is often used in lighthouses, beacons, platforms, and channel markers as it is able to produce a stronger light…
Buoy Lamp and Solar Lamp Charger
This "12 Volt Lamp Charger" is used as a solar charger for "failed" lamps
The wire springs at each corner of the solar panels keep the sea birds from landing on the solar panels and defecating, thereby limiting the solar charging of the…