As work progresses on the Cuckolds Rescue, myths and rumors fly around the community. In the spirit of “everyone is entitled to their own opinions, but everyone is not entitled to their own facts,” following are some facts about what’s happening with The Cuckolds Rescue.

The Cuckolds exterior has been rebuilt historically accurate, in accordance with original architectural drawings. The original light tower is being substantially restored, as there was no maintenance or upkeep on this tower for almost 40 years, since the late 1970s when the Coast Guard automated the light, decommissioned the light station, and removed the two Coast Guard families from the island. 

The light tower restoration is a massive undertaking, and at the outset, the extent of the restoration needed wasn’t fully known. Restoration includes re-pointing the granite base, removing the rot in the tower and rebuilding it, rebuilding the iron railings, shoring up the floors, re-building the conical tower roof, removing the old batteries that powered the light, and much more. The light itself is being modernized by the Coast Guard employing new technologies for energy efficiency with LED lights and an “on call” fog signal that mariners can activate as needed. The Cuckolds Light and Fog Signal are still active aids to navigation, maintained by the U.S. Coast Guard.

The Cuckolds interior is being finished and furnished for the comfort and enjoyment of visitors – an “adaptive re-use” for this iconic treasure. Adaptive reuse is the process of reusing an old site or building for a purpose other than that for which it was built or designed. There are no longer two Coast Guard families in full-time, year-round residence. 

The rebuilt facility will offer gracious hospitality in well-appointed rooms befitting a restored Lighthouse on a rugged offshore island. Two lighthouse keepers will provide services as hosts, historians, and innkeepers, with service levels tailored to the wishes of guests. Cuckolds keepers can welcome you ashore and then for all purposes, disappear, leaving you and your family to enjoy the island, or provide staff services as if you were aboard a fine yacht.

The rugged Cuckolds island will be open to visitors by reservation. Public safety and security is paramount. Thus, the hardscape surrounding the house is being carefully stabilized and designed to guide visitors and ensure safe island access and egress by rebuilt pathways and railings that follow the original, but severely deteriorated, shipways, walkways, and paths. In keeping with the island history, there will be a small kitchen garden and minimal landscaping befitting conditions on this rugged island.

In accordance with original plans approved by multiple federal agencies, the supporting infrastructure needed for construction and for hosting visitors and guests was to have been put in place early in the building process. This did not happen, and working without shore power and water has made the construction process more challenging and expensive. Work is underway now to complete the permitting and installation process, repairing and/or replacing underwater conduits bundling electricity, water, waste and Internet cables enabling modern, year-round electric and communications service, and seasonal water and sanitation to the island. 

The Cuckolds was the very first lighthouse transferred under the National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act of 2000, and is now nearing completion. While the ultimate value and impacts of this project will be experienced locally, the Cuckolds Rescue is, in fact, part of a nationwide initiative of the federal government, whereby some 300 lighthouses are being made available to qualified organizations that demonstrate the capability to restore and maintain the properties, and take responsibility for the many tasks required to ensure success.

The Cuckolds operating plan sets out a vision that in the 2013 season, the Cuckolds will be a site where one can see and tour an 1892 light tower, and learn about this region’s rich maritime history. It will also be a romantic place where one can make reservations for overnight stays; a special venue for intimate weddings and other life-cycle events; for writers’ groups, plein air artists, photographers, picnickers, lobster bakes, and more. 

For safety and security, visits to the Cuckolds will be by reservation only. Transportation to and from the Cuckolds Island will be by Cuckolds launch, operated by a Coast Guard certified captain. 

The Cuckolds Council is currently advertising for and interviewing potential Light Station Keepers – individuals who are gracious hosts, skilled in hospitality and guest services, adept at building maintenance and repairs, and able, licensed mariners. 

Current plans call for opening to the public for overnight stays and visits by July 1, 2013. The Cuckolds Fog Signal and Light Station is a community asset for visitors to enjoy, and a built facility that will be self-sustaining over the longer term. The sustainability of the Cuckolds is an expectation – a requirement – of the federal government in turning over the deed to the property to the nonprofit Cuckolds Council. 

This has been an evolutionary and long-term project. It was intended from the beginning to be a community-building initiative in which everyone could participate, make new history, enjoy the developmental process, and take pride in the results.