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

REPLACED

CHECK OTHERS NEARBY

Reproduction of Nantucket Island’s Brant Point Lighthouse

Photographed by Michael Herrick, August 26, 2013

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, Nantucket’s Brant Point light was first built in 1746 to mark 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 ancient Egyptian times. But their methods for making light changed over the centuries, from burning piles of wood to whale-oil lamps to today’s automated, electronic lighthouses. Our lighthouse uses a fourth order Fresnel lens. Developed in France in the 1830s, this lens was a technological breakthrough in its ability to focus light and create a stronger beam.

Inside you can see 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 to explore how lighthouses saved sailors and ships over the centuries.

( inset )
The French dramatically improved

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lighthouse technology in the 1830s with the development of the Fresnel lens. Our replica lighthouse uses a 4th-order Fresnel lens, smaller than the 5th-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. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. It was located near 41° 21.691′ N, 71° 58.014′ W. Marker was in Stonington in Southeastern Region, Connecticut. It was in Mystic. It could be reached from the intersection of Greenmanville Avenue (Connecticut Route 27) and Bruggeman Place, on the right when traveling south. Located in Mystic Seaport. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 75 Greenmanville Avenue, Mystic CT 06355, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker was on the Connecticut Shoreline,

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

and in the Thames River Valley.

It was also in the American Northeast

and in New England.

Globally, it was in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it found 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 location: A different marker also named Reproduction of Nantucket Island's Brant Point Lighthouse (here, next to this marker); Bartram Dock (a few

Photographed by Michael Herrick, August 26, 2013

2. Reproduction of Nantucket Island’s Brant Point Lighthouse & Marker

steps from this marker); Mystic Seaport Museum Sailing Center (a few steps from this marker); Schooner Brilliant (a few steps from this marker); Training Ship Joseph Conrad (within shouting distance of this marker); Maine Sloop Boat Estella A (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Training Ship Joseph Conrad (within shouting distance of this marker); Lewis Temple, 1800 - 1954 (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Stonington.

Another marker is no longer nearby. 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 been replaced with the linked marker, whose inscription is slightly different.

Also see . . .
1. Mystic Seaport, The Museum of America and the Sea. (Submitted on September 8, 2013, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.)
2. Fresnel lens on Wikipedia. (Submitted on September 8, 2013, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.)

Reproduction of Nantucket Island’s Brant Point Lighthouse image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Michael Herrick, August 26, 2013

3. Reproduction of Nantucket Island’s Brant Point Lighthouse

Credits. This page was last revised on May 19, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 8, 2013, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut. This page has been viewed 569 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 8, 2013, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.