Lighthouses Of New England

Originally made for Connecticut Public Television, this amiable look at lighthouses from Coney Island to the Maine shore weaves historical reminiscences with interview footage featuring former lighthouse keepers and their spouses. Operated by hand by trained men and women, the lighthouse duties were transferred to the Coast Guard at the close of the 1930s, and today the operational lighthouses are automated--requiring only a periodic check-up. Interviewees recall both the hard work and the sense of purpose during lighthouse keeping's glory days and bemoan the state of disrepair which many of the lighthouses have fallen into. The program closes with examples of community groups working to save their lighthouses, often as museums or inns. Although Guardians of the Night (reviewed in our July-August 1993 issue) offers a much more comprehensive look at lighthouses around the world--including New England's--this is recommended for regional collections. [Note: Islands of New England (reviewed in our December 1992 issue) was formerly available from CPTV at $29.95, and is now available from Atlas Video at $19.95.] (Available from most distributors.)