Maine Lighthouse Day was one of sun and clouds, but the 41 people who visited Burnt Island didn't care. They came from all over New England, many from New Hampshire and Vermont, and, Maine, of course.

The Friends of Burnt Island Light and Department of Marine Resouces Education Director Elaine Jones prepared an educational and fun sojourn for adults and children alike.

Burnt island is the home of the only living history program at a light station on the east coast. A troupe of locals portray the family of Keeper Joseph Muise (1936-1951) — Joseph,  his wife Annie,  their three daughters and son shared the duties of lighthouse keeping. On Maine Lighthouse Day, Sept. 13, Dave Raicot, in uniform, was Joseph, Peggy Raicot was Annie, and Jayelyn Crocker, was their eldest daughter, 19-year-old daughter Adele.

Staying in character the entire three hours, they shared stories about life on the island and the responsibilities every member of the family had. "Joseph" was at the tower while "Annie" and "Adele" washed clothes, led folks through the completely restored keepers' house — exactly as it was when they were there — and answered questions.

Docent Ken Fitch,  greeted everyone at the dock and escorted visitors up the spiral staircase to the tower for a bit of learnin' and viewin'.

Friends of Burnt Island Light board member Kathy Harris was in charge of the gift shop and took care of the refreshments.

Visitors walked the five acre island, visited the beach area near the boathouse, and  took in a PowerPoint presentation of the history of the island, its restoration (1998-2003) and eduational programming for Maine teachers and students, by Jones in the island's Edcuation Center.

Many of the visitors elected to stay on the island all three hours. A mother and daughter from New Hampshire were "thrilled" and had wanted to visit for years, but couldn't get away for the Monday and Thursday living history tours in July and August.  A couple from Vermont said it was "just beautiful" and "fascinating."

For more information about Burnt Island, on the Registery of Historic Places since 1978, visit www.friendsofburntislandlight.com.

Photos by  LISA KRISTOFF, Staff Editor