The Norwalk Seaport Association has announced a cruise featuring stops at two historic lighthouses taking place later this month.
The cruise is aimed at local residents and readers who appreciate maritime history and a quaint journey through the Norwalk Islands in the fall, according to the association. Most importantly, passengers will get to visit both the Sheffield Island Lighthouse and the recently opened Greens Ledge.
The two stops make up three house of the five-hour cruise, according to the Seaport Association, showcasing the “architecturally unique lighthouses that have guided ships with welcoming beacons through Norwalk Harbor for hundreds of years.”
CT food truck festival to bring dozens of vendors, beer garden and more Saturday, Sept. 14
First stop is Greens Ledge, one of only 33 remaining spark plug lighthouses in the U.S., according to the association statement. Its construction was finished all the way back in 1902 for $60,000, or $2.5 million today adjusted for inflation. The lighthouse is thought to be the inspiration for “Green Light” in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel “The Great Gatsby.”
Norwalk Seaport Association
Sheffield Island Lighthouse pavilion (Photo: Norwalk Seaport Association)
Last stop is the Sheffield Island Lighthouse. According to the Seaport Association, this lighthouse was built even further back in 1868 our of limestone masonry in the Victorian style. It offers views of the Manhattan skyline and, after decommissioning in 1902 with the opening of Greens Ledge, “became a haven for rumrunners during prohibition, a sanctuary for mothers and children during the cholera epidemic, and the location for a country club, before the Norwalk Seaport Association saved it in 1978.”
Readers can snag a ticket here with the tour slated for Saturday, Sept. 28, according to the statement. The boat will be docked at 70 Water St. with a 10 a.m. departure time.
The Seaport Associations recommends guests dress in layers and pack a picnic lunch, according to a release. If you plan on bringing a cooler, make sure it fits under the seats of the vessel (18-20 inches). They also recommend closed-toe shoes.
