East Providence businesses and local organizations have come together to fund the replacement of the chimney at historic Pomham Rocks Lighthouse, Friends of Pomham Rocks Lighthouse announced, aiming to restore the structure to its original 1871 appearance and protect museum exhibits from water and debris damage.
The recent Business and Community Sponsorship Drive raised funds targeted specifically at rebuilding a watertight chimney capped in cement and reconstructed in the lighthouse’s distinctive Victorian style. The group said the upgrade will stop debris from entering the first-floor exhibit room and prevent heavy rain from funneling through the flues and flooding the basement exhibit area — recurring problems for the small New England maritime light station and museum.
Friends of Pomham Rocks Lighthouse acknowledged a slate of local donors that backed the effort. Key sponsors include Warr & Warr and Partners, Canonicus Lodge No. 9, Guardian Pest Control and Perry‑McStay Funeral Home. State Representative Katherine Kazarian and the Law Office of Michael Lima joined as Boosters, the group said.
Pomham Rocks Lighthouse, built in 1871, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and serves as both a navigational landmark and a community museum, housing exhibits about the area’s maritime history. The Friends organization, a chapter of the American Lighthouse Foundation, has overseen preservation and public outreach at the site and runs the annual sponsorship drive to fund individual restoration projects like the chimney.
Organizers said the chimney work will be undertaken to match historical documentation and the lighthouse’s original Victorian-era appearance, rather than using a modern, utilitarian design. That approach reflects broader preservation priorities for the Friends group, which has focused on maintaining the authenticity of the structure while addressing practical threats posed by New England weather and intrusive debris.
Businesses and community organizations interested in participating in ongoing restoration work or future sponsorship drives can contact Friends of Pomham Rocks Lighthouse by email at lighthouse1871@cox.net or by mailing checks payable to Friends of Pomham Rocks Lighthouse to P.O. Box 15121, Riverside, RI 02915. The group did not announce a construction start date in its notice but framed the chimney as a priority for protecting the exhibit spaces and ensuring the lighthouse remains an accessible piece of Rhode Island’s maritime heritage.