Come explore this iconic landmark off the coast of Maine which represents an important and unique chapter in America's maritime history. Experience this remarkable opportunity to embark on a private, guided tour of this stunning Museum located on a picturesque island with the Founder and President of the Wood Island Life Saving Station Association, Sam Reid. This event offers a behind-the-scene look at the incredible preservation efforts of this historic building and the museum’s unique collection. You will be transported to the Island on the Museum’s own 1930s rescue boat, the Mervin Roberts.

Maine Preservation included Wood Island Station on its “Most Endangered Historic Resource” list for the state in 2012. The national organization of lifesaving, the U.S. Life-Saving Service Heritage Association (USLSSHA), had listed Wood Island as “Most Imperiled” beginning in the late 1990s.  Today, we are happy to say the project is pretty close to all done!  

The Wood Island Life-Saving Station, part of the U.S. Life Saving Service, has stood watch at the mouth of the Piscataqua River for over 117 years. From 1908 to 1915 the Wood Island Life Saving Station housed the brave surfmen who would wait with small rowing boats to help mariners in distress in terrible conditions year-round. This exceptional structure in Kittery is a historically significant and rare surviving example of the stations that once dotted the Northern New England coast beginning in 1874. Out of thirteen stations, nine remain, and Wood Island is the only original station that is a museum and open for visitation in Maine and New Hampshire.

Learn more about Wood Island Life Saving Station at the following websites:

https://woodislandlifesaving.org/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4atQZf7BjY8