On January 16, the Friends of the Mattapoisett Council on Aging held their annual meeting. After conducting business, the guest speakers were invited to share their presentation. For the next 30 minutes, the 20-member group was entertained and enlightened by Betty and Bert Theriault’s talk on the history of what Betty called, “Our lighthouse.”
The Theriaults, who are well into their esteemed status as elders in the community, have dedicated 40 years of their lives to Ned’s Point Lighthouse through their work as members of the local Coast Guard Auxiliary.
The couple has also spent years researching the history of the well-known Mattapoisett landmark. Bert has written a book that is a compilation from numerous well-researched sources in which he has pulled together once and for all scattered bits and pieces of the lighthouse’s historic past.
On this day, as Bert spoke extemporaneously, the love and dedication both he and Betty feel for the conical structure were evident.
Theriault described the early history of the site and the structure that included the purchase of the 4-acre parcel from the superintendent of lighthouses headquartered in Edgartown. The lighthouse and land were purchased from resident Barnabas Hillier for $240 in 1837.
In 1837, construction of the lighthouse began and, a year later, lamps were lighted for the first time as a navigation aid.
Theriault described how the lights and lenses have changed over the years as newer technology became available. As technology changed, the need for a full-time lighthouse keeper also changed. By 1923, the lighthouse was fully automated.
Regarding the land upon which the lighthouse sits, Theriault shed his illumination. It wasn’t until 1939 that the town considered purchasing the acreage from the federal government. By that time, the job of the superintendent of lighthouses had merged with the U.S. Coast Guard. The townspeople must have choked at the $7,000 price tag. They opted not to buy the land. It is possible that, given the impact of the Great Depression, Yankee thrift trumped all. But, by 1952, the country was in full economic swing, a post WWII boom.
Attitudes must have changed because the town opted to purchase the land, and the price had been reduced. The property was purchased for a mere $3,000.
Since that time, the Coast Guard and the auxiliary has been responsible for taking care of the structure with 0.17 acres remaining in federal ownership.
Yes, the tiny bit that the lighthouse sits on and a small easement to a utility cabinet is federal land. The remainder of the site belongs to Mattapoisett. The area is now the much-loved park that the town calls Veterans’ Park.
Unique to the structure itself, Betty pointed out, are the pink granite steps. No other lighthouse has steps as truly marvelous as these, she explained.
The granite was quarried from the Buzzards Bay Granite Company located off Mattapoisett Neck Road. Each step is cantilevered into the interior wall of the structure in a conical shape up to a seven rung ladder to the top. Bert pointed out that one has to be physically fit to reach the top, but, once ascended, Betty said you’d have a “magical view.”
Although Bert can no longer enjoy the view from the top, his knowledge of this lighthouse and many others puts him in a category all his own – truly a lighthouse keeper if ever there was one.
And as for Betty, she still provides ground level educational details for the many dozens of visitors who come to Ned’s Point in the summer months. She said children must be at least 10 years of age to attempt the ascent.
Betty also has enjoyed her association with the Coast Guard Auxiliary for reasons beyond the importance of the lighthouse itself. Reminiscing after the presentation she said, “I like it because women could be involved, women could do things.” She is very proud of their long tenure with the organization and of being part of something bigger than themselves.
“The auxiliary provides education and is part of homeland security,” said Betty.
For more information on Ned’s Point Lighthouse, you can access Bert Theriault’s Ned’s Point Lighthouse – A Chronicle that is available for viewing at the Mattapoisett Public Library.
By Marilou Newell
