Bodie Island Lighthouse Lighting Restoration
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Built in 1872 on the isolated Body's Island of North Carolina's Cape Hatteras National Seashore, The Bodie Island Lighthouse is one of the most classic settings of American light stations. The structure has a significant history; having been destroyed and rebuilt twice, once by retreating Confederate troops in 1861 who feared the lighthouse could be used as a Union observation post during the Civil War.

The current Bodie Island Lighthouse was built in the model of the Cape Lookout Lighthouse, and is currently listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It stands 156 feet tall and is located on the Roanoke Sound side of the first island that is part of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore, and is one of the very few lighthouses that feature an active 1st order Fresnel lens.

The corrosive conditions of the seashore have resulted in extensive deterioration of the structure, including ten historic lighting fixtures of the lighthouse's interior. As a part of a major restoration project intended to restore and preserve the structural integrity of the lighthouse, Grand Light was asked to restore seven fixtures from the interior of the structure as well as three fixtures from the nearby Oil House.

The seven lighting fixtures from the interior of the lighthouse were manufactured by Russell & Stoll and constructed in cast iron with a water tight rating. The fixtures had suffered extensive deterioration of the original finish. The adjacent Oil House featured three porcelain RLM-style pendant lighting fixtures, which were also in dire need of restoration.

The restoration of the seven cast aluminum wall fixtures began by a full disamebly of the fixtures. They were then beadblasted to remove rust and previous coatings of paint, and to achieve a clean, uniform surface. They were then primed and given two coats of marine-grade silver paint, with two protective top-coats of incralac clear lacquer to prevent future corrosion. New water-tight gaskets had been laser cut and installed upon reassembly along with the cleaned and rebuilt rare porcelain sockets.

The restoration of the three porcelain the RLM-style fixtures began with the removal of the top mounting components which were then beadblasted to remove rust and previous coatings of paint, and to achieve a clean, uniform surface as was done with the wall sconces. They too were then primed and given two coats of marine-grade silver paint, with two protective top-coats of incralac clear lacquer to prevent future corrosion., The reflectors had significant deterioration on the outer edges, that had to be completely reconstructed. Once they were reconstructed, they were coated to match the original porcelain green color.

Upon completing the restoration, each fixture was thoroughly inspected and Hi-pot tested in accordance with UL standards. The fixtures were then carefully packed for transport back to the lighthouse, where visitors will be able to view the newly restored lighting fixtures as they climb the spiral staircase for the first time in decades.

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Electrical Contractor:
Electrical Equipment Company
Norfolk, VA 23502
(757) 321-6183

Lighting Consultant:
Ryan Stockman
Grand Light
New Haven, CT
1-800-922-1469
info@lightrestoration.com

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Light Restoration by Grand Light