Old Barney’s Facelift Complete, Lighthouse Reopens June 10

By Maria Scandale | on June 09, 2023

STEP ON UP: The lighthouse will be open again for climbing starting June 10, the state has announced. (Photo by Ryan Morrill)

Those who feel up to climbing 217 steps will have their way again. What the state termed the "long-awaited and now-completed interior renovation" of Barnegat Lighthouse is official on June 10. The heavy door will swing open again to allow state park visitors inside the refurbished monument.

"The lighthouse will reopen to the public on Saturday, June 10," said Caryn Shinske, public information officer for the state Department of Environmental Protection.

The $1.3 million restoration was under the direction of the NJ DEP by its Division of Parks and Forestry arm. The restoration project is funded by the Corporate Business Tax.

The lighthouse has been closed since Monday, March 14, 2022 for a complete exterior restoration that encompassed masonry recoating and repairs to the brick façade, interior lantern steel platform repairs, roof repairs and the installation of new windows, among other work. Although the most visible phase, painting, was wrapped up last fall, remaining work kept the structure closed

The media will get a sneak peek inside a couple of days before the rest of the public does, along with details from officials about the scope of the job. These will be relayed in a future SandPaper report, and on Saturday, state park visitors will converge for the first of many upward treks.

While the renovation was being done, Barnegat Lighthouse State Park remained open. That included the jetty walkway, the inlet-side picnic tables and pavilion, the interpretive center, and the nature trail that overlooks the ocean, then winds into the maritime forest.

More information about Barnegat Lighthouse State Park can be found at the park's official website, nj.gov/dep/parksandforests/parks/barnlig.html. —M.S.

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