Exciting Restoration: Cape Hatteras Lighthouse Fence Set for Stylish Return
In a charming twist of fate, the winds of history are blowing for the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, as a stunning piece of its past is set to make a glorious comeback. This antique fence, with deep connections to the presidency of Ulysses S. Grant, has been lost for over a century but is now being lovingly restored by the National Park Service!
What’s the Buzz About the Fence?
The octagonal fence that originally graced this iconic structure, which has long held the title of the nation’s tallest brick lighthouse, is being recreated. Found buried on Hatteras Island, original pieces dating back to 1870 have emerged from their sandy slumber, uncovering an unexpected connection to several prominent buildings in our nation’s capital. It’s a bit of a mystery why the same fence style was used both in Washington, D.C., and on this picturesque barrier island.
Link to Presidential History
Mike Barber, a spokesperson for the Cape Hatteras National Seashore, shared some intriguing insights. “The same style of fence was used on the east, south, and west sides of the White House complex between 1871-1872 during the Grant administration,” he explained. The same aesthetic touch can be seen at the U.S. Treasury Building, the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, and even part of the Renwick Gallery at the Smithsonian Institution. How cool is that?
A $19.2 Million Project
This nostalgic restoration is part of a massive $19.2 million project aimed at bringing the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse back to its 1870s glory. Over the years, relentless corrosion from saltwater took a toll on the lighthouse, leading to several modern upgrades—including the replacement of the fence in the 1920s.
Preserving Our Heritage
“The fence is a character-defining feature that we want to include in the historic restoration project,” Barber said, emphasizing the importance of keeping history alive. The original fence stood for about 50 years before it was replaced due to wear and tear from the harsh marine environment. Luckily, pieces of this notable fence were uncovered during excavations back in 1985 and 1998.
Architects at Work
The challenge of recreating this historic beauty has been entrusted to Allen Metals Architects, who are utilizing a treasure trove of historical images to ensure authenticity. The replica will boast 784 fence pickets, 784 fence picket finials, and an impressive 49 post finials. Meanwhile, another company called Stone & Lime is on a mission to salvage as much of the original granite as possible and replicate anything they can’t save. Talk about a labor of love!
The Timeline Ahead
It’s going to take around 2,000 hours of dedicated work to bring this vision to life. Surprisingly, the biggest hurdle so far hasn’t involved the construction itself but rather sourcing the accurate finial patterns through thorough historical research. Just imagine the dedication involved in harmonizing the modern with the past!
Moved to Safety
As a fun fact, the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse has its own exciting story; it was famously relocated back in 1999 to protect it from the relentless ocean erosion, now sitting a whopping 2,900 feet from its original site. It’s now poised for a shiny new chapter in its already legendary tale.
As the fence is crafted, history will once again come alive in Cape Hatteras, reminding us all of the beauty of our past. Isn’t it fantastic when forgotten pieces of history find their way back home?
