Maine’s Lighthouses Recognized as Endangered Heritage Sites

Maine’s lighthouses have been designated as endangered by the World Monuments Watch due to climate change and other threats. The 2025 list includes 25 sites worldwide, marking the lighthouses’ historical significance and vulnerability. With many still operational, preservation efforts are urgently needed to combat rising sea levels and storm impacts.

Maine’s historic lighthouses have been included in the latest global list of endangered cultural sites due to various threats, particularly from climate change. The World Monuments Watch released its 2025 report highlighting heritage sites endangered by issues such as neglect, warfare, flooding, and extreme weather conditions attributable to climate change. Among the 25 sites listed, Maine’s lighthouses stand out alongside a Buddhist monastery in Mongolia and damaged historic sites in Ukraine and Gaza.

The listing encompasses 66 lighthouses constructed between 1791, when Portland Head Light first illuminated the coastline, and 1910. Of these, 57 lighthouses are still operational, utilizing automated lighting systems. Ownership of these lighthouses has transitioned to various entities, including local governments, nonprofits, and private owners, with some transformed into residences, educational facilities, and museums that attract tourists and support the local economy.

However, the lighthouses face significant challenges from climate change, as emphasized by the organization. The Gulf of Maine is experiencing some of the fastest ocean warming globally, at three times the average rate. These lighthouses, built on vulnerable islands and low-lying peninsulas, are particularly susceptible to rising sea levels and storm surges that threaten their structural integrity.

In recent years, coastal storms exacerbated by elevated sea levels have damaged several Maine lighthouses, including the famed Portland Head Light and Pemaquid Point Lighthouse. These occurrences highlight the urgent need for preservation efforts to safeguard these historic structures against the increasing impacts of climate change.

The addition of Maine’s lighthouses to the global list of endangered heritage sites underscores the pressing threats posed by climate change and other crises. This annual list by the World Monuments Watch serves to raise awareness about sites at risk, ranging from natural disasters to geopolitical conflicts. The lighthouses of Maine, significant for their historical and cultural importance, now require urgent attention to ensure their survival amidst changing environmental conditions and the impacts of human activities.

The inclusion of Maine’s lighthouses on the list of endangered sites is a clarion call for awareness and action regarding the threats they face from climate change. With many lighthouses transitioning to new roles, they play an essential part in the local economy and heritage. Protecting these iconic structures requires concerted preservation efforts, particularly as they face the realities of rising sea levels and extreme weather events.

Original Source: www.centralmaine.com