Old Barney Photograph by Beth Ferris Sale

Old Barney

by Beth Ferris Sale

Canvas Print

$69

Framed Print

$88

Art Print

$23

Poster

$23

Metal Print

$75

Acrylic Print

$83

Wood Print

$55

Shower Curtain

$88

Bath Towel

$36

Tote Bag

$31

Weekender Tote Bag

$45

Zip Pouch

$27

Portable Battery Charger

$47

Greeting Card

$5.00

iPhone Case

$32

Beach Towel

$36

Round Beach Towel

$72

Weekender Tote Bag

$45

Coffee Mug

$15

Title

Old Barney

Artist

Beth Ferris Sale

Medium

Photograph - Photography

Description

"Old Barney" Barnegat Lighthouse The lighthouse's beacon remained a first-class navigational light until August 1927, when the Barnegat Lightship was anchored 8 nautical miles (15 km; 9.2 mi) off the coast. This prompted the automation and replacement of the first-order lens with a gas blinker. As a result, the tower's light was reduced by over 80 percent. The gas blinker was replaced several weeks later with a 250-watt electric bulb, though the gas apparatus can still be seen at the top of the tower.

The light was deactivated as a Coast Guard lookout tower in January 1944 and given to the State of New Jersey. Four years later, the local municipality, Barnegat City, renamed itself Barnegat Light. In 1954, the lens was returned to the borough of Barnegat Light and is now on exhibit in the Barnegat Light Museum. The area around the lighthouse was declared a state park and dedicated in 1957. The lightship was removed in 1969.

The structure was added to the National Register of Historic Places as Barnegat Lighthouse in 1971.

In 1988, the tower was closed for construction of the new south jetty, then reopened to visitors in 1991 with a new walkway on top of the jetty. The top of the lighthouse is accessible via its 217 steps and continues to attract in excess of half a million visitors year round.

In 2008, the Friends of Barnegat Lighthouse State Park, a local non profit organization, raised funds to reactivate the lighthouse. A sum of $35,000 was raised, with $15,000 contributed by the Barnegat Light Borough Fraternal Order of Police Local Lodge No. 5. This supported the acquisition of a new $15,000 VRB-25 light system, as well as the replacement of aging windows. Funding was raised entirely at the local level.

In October 2008, the VRB-25 system was installed. While physically smaller than the original light, the system has become a standard for US Lighthouses, with more than 100 installed.

On January 1, 2009, at 5:00 pm, the 150th anniversary of its opening, Barnegat Lighthouse activated its beacon for the first time since before World War II .

The light now operates daily from dusk until dawn. There is a foghorn on Barnegat South Breakwater Light 7, at the ocean end of the south breakwater, which guards the inlet.The tower is flood-lit at night.