Mystic in Stonington in Southeastern Region, Connecticut — The American Northeast (New England)

Reproduction of Nantucket Island's Brant Point Lighthouse

By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), June 24, 2023

1. Reproduction of Nantucket Island's Brant Point Lighthouse Marker

Inscription.
Mystic Seaport's lighthouse is a reproduction of Nantucket Island's Brant Point Lighthouse. Built in 1966, it is an exact replica in size and scale and uses a fourth-order Fresnel lens.

Only the second lighthouse built in the English-American colonies in 1746, Nantucket's Brant Point light marks the entrance to Nantucket Harbor. Rebuilt eight times since then, the current structure dates to 1901. With a light only 26 feet above the water, it is the lowest lighthouse in New England.

Lighthouses have helped sailors identify harbors and avoid coastal dangers since 280 BCE in ancient Egypt. Methods for generating light have changed over the centuries, from burning piles of wood to whale-oil lamps to today's automated, electronic lighthouses. Developed in France in the 1830s, the Fresnel lens was a technological breakthrough in its ability to focus light and cast a stronger beam.

Inside the lighthouse, visitors can view two short, panoramic films that bring to life the story of American lighthouses and their keepers. Displayed on 5 LCD screens, the films use modern and historic film footage, stories, sound, and illustrations

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to explore how lighthouses have saved sailors and ships over the centuries.

[Inset:]
The French dramatically improved lighthouse technology in the 1830s with the development of the Fresnel lens. Our replica lighthouse uses a fourt-order Fresnel lens, smaller than the fifth-order lens that Nantucket's Brant Point light once used. This photo shows a 5th order Fresnel lens that is in the Museum's collection and on loan from the U.S. Coast Guard.

Erected by Mystic Seaport Museum.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Communications • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Lighthouses series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1966.

Location. 41° 21.693′ N, 71° 58.014′ W. Marker is in Stonington in Southeastern Region, Connecticut. It is in Mystic. It can be reached from Greenmanville Avenue (Route 27) south of Rossie Street, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 75 Greenmanville Avenue, Mystic CT 06355, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on

By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), June 24, 2023

2. Reproduction of Nantucket Island's Brant Point Lighthouse Marker

the Connecticut Shoreline,

in Greater New London, in Mystic and the Eastern Shore,

and in the Thames River Valley.

It is also in the American Northeast,

in New England,

and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New London County

and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Mystic Seaport Museum Sailing Center (a few steps from this marker); Bartram Dock (a few steps from this marker); Schooner Brilliant (a few steps from this marker); Training Ship Joseph Conrad (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Training Ship Joseph Conrad (within shouting distance of this marker); Maine Sloop Boat Estella A (within shouting distance of this marker); Lewis Temple, 1800 - 1954 (about 300 feet away); The Leadership of Indigenous Women (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Stonington.

Other markers no longer nearby. Reproduction of Nantucket Island’s Brant Point Lighthouse

The reproduction lighthouse image. Click for full size.

By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), June 24, 2023

3. The reproduction lighthouse

(was here, next to this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Training Ship Joseph Conrad (was about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. This marker has replaced the linked marker, which has a slightly different inscription.

Credits. This page was last revised on May 19, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 27, 2023, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 219 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 27, 2023, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.