LIGHTHOUSE XXII

DRUM POINT LIGHT, MARYLAND

Order No. 135

HISTORY: Drum Point Lighthouse was moved to the Calvert Marine Museum from it’s original location on the Patuxent River. It was established in 1883.

Drum Point Lighthouse dominates the museum’s waterfront. This screwpile, cottage-type light is only one of three remaining from 45 that once served the Chesapeake Bay at the beginning of the 20^th century. Decommissioned in 1962, the lighthouse fell victim to vandals until moved to its present site in 1975. Beautifully restored, complete with furnishing of the early 20^th century, it has become the waterfront’s main attraction and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Tours are guided and the schedule varies seasonally.

A report by Lt. William D. Porter to the Secretary of the Treasury, Levi Woodbury, in 1838, provides the earliest reference to establishing a navigational aid at Drum Point.  Lt. Porter urged that a beacon-light be placed on Drum Point at the mouth of the Patuxent River. On August 3 1854, a congressional appropriation for lighthouses, lightships, buoys, etc., included $5,000 for a lighthouse on Drum Point.

 Work on the white hexagonal wooden structure and its wrought iron screwpile base was started on July 17, 1883.  A Fresnel lens of the fourth-order was shipped from the Office of the Light House Engineer in Staten Island, New York, and the light was first exhibited on August 20, 1883.   From a height of fifteen feet the fixed red light was visible thirteen nautical miles in clear weather.  In poor visibility the fog bell would ring a double blow every fifteen seconds

     The museum is fortunate that the logbook for the Drum Point Lighthouse has survived for the periods 1883 to 1943, and it is preserved at the National Archives.  Keepers were required to make daily entries regarding weather, work performed, and any unusual occurrences.  A study of the logbooks reveals and endless round of cleaning and maintenance, but the logs also recorded strandings, sinkings, the arrival of inspectors and visits by Light House Board steamers, trips to shore for mail, supplies, and for church visits, and the occasional visitor.

STITCHING INFORMATION: Stitch counts: 135 stitches wide x 141 high. Our model was stitched on a 15" x 16" piece of blue 14-count AIDA fabric. To use a different type of fabric or different AIDA sized fabric, give the stitch count to your fabric store and they will help you select the correct amount of fabric to complete this design. Our threads were carefully chosen to depict the actual colors of the lighthouse to give it the most realistic appearance possible.