Lighting Up Portsmouth
Fresnel Lens Pavilion
The first order Fresnel Lens, the second Hog Island light, beautifully lights a path on Portsmouth's waterfront as its 250 prisms of
optical glass, weighing 2,500 pounds, are aglow from its stately pavilion. It was originally capable of throwing a beam 20 miles.
The Lens' size is only surpassed by the Lens located at Makapu'u Point, Hawaii. Its location near the High Street Ferry Landing
is surrounded by the Fifth Coast Guard District Headquarters and the City of Portsmouth property overlooking the Elizabeth River,
which portrays the extensive teamwork of the City and the Coast Guard to restore and put it on display. The groundbreaking for
the installation of the pavilion took place on November 7, 2002 and its dedication took place a year later on November 5, 2003.
The Fresnel Lens is valued between $750,000 - $1 million and is named after Augustus Fresnel, the French physicist who devised
the optical system around 1822. The cost of refurbishing the lens (cleaning and adjusting each prism) and constructing the
pavilion and grounds had a final cost of $548,000, paid for by Portsmouth Museums Foundation.
Lightship Portsmouth
The Lightship Portsmouth Museum is a national Historical Landmark and is open to the public. Acquiring the Lightship is a
beautiful story of faith and trust between two gentlemen -- one a retired Army Major committed to making a greater Portsmouth,
and the other a determined 33-year-old commercial fisherman possessing a 100-foot trawler. In September, 1964, the Lightship
Cross Rip was available to Portsmouth from the Coast Guard. Anthony "Tony" Penello, a Portsmouth native, was fishing from his
trawler, the "Anthony Anne", off the New England coast, and volunteered to tow the ship to Portsmouth. He called Frank Kirby,
Chairman of the Committee who wanted to bring the ship in but had no money to fund its move. Quickly, arrangements were
made. Tying a 600-foot line to the Lightship, he headed toward Nantucket Light for the 700-mile trip home. After two smooth
days, Hurricane Dora, heading toward Portsmouth with rough seas and winds up to 40 mph, made for a treacherous trip. When he
reached Portsmouth, the river was still breaking over the old seawall. Finding its home in Portsmouth, the ship was re-named
Lightship Portsmouth. In 2001, deterioration and non-compliance of the ship demanded major work. After two and a half years
renovating the interior and exterior, the abatement of asbestos and lead, site and moat improvements, the Lightship Portsmouth
reopened in July 2004. Since the museum is not handicapped accessible, a video and display are featured at the Portsmouth
Naval Shipyard Museum. The final cost of $498,000 was paid by Portsmouth Museums Foundation.
Winter Wonderland Collection
Snowmen, carolers, candle-makers, toy-makers, Santa and accompanying scenery will again come to life at the Courthouse
Galleries Museum, Children's Museum of Virginia and in some downtown storefront windows. The 200 animated figures and 500-
600 other items, including small bears and dolls, formerly owned by Coleman Nursery Gardentown, are presently being
refurbished. Following an inventory and photographing, volunteers spent many hours packing the figures for a move to storage at
Robbies Do-It-Best Hardware in January 2004. Then volunteers spent hours re-painting and cleaning small and large "little
people". When Coleman's announced their doors would close after its 2003 holiday season, and the collection would be offered for
sale, Portsmouth Museums Foundation responded. Donations to purchase and preserve the collection quickly began. The
tradition of "Winter Wonderland" continued in Portsmouth beginning November 20 through January 2, 2005. A cost of $175,000
was paid by the Portsmouth Museums Foundation.
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