The original 1749 lighthouse was the third to be built in the American colonies.
The current tower was constructed using Quincy granite to replace the aging masonry of the 1856 structure.
The light station was once a strategic site for military defense, evidenced by nearby World War II-era bunker ruins.
The museum displays a rare Fourth-Order Fresnel lens formerly used at the site.
The location is a primary spot in New England for observing seasonal hawk migrations.
The Beavertail Lighthouse Museum is located on the southern tip of Conanicut Island, marking the entrance to Narragansett Bay. The current 1856 granite tower is the third lighthouse structure built on this site since the original 1749 tower. It serves as an active aid to navigation maintained by the U.S. Coast Guard, while the keeper's house functions as a museum. The site is part of the 153-acre Beavertail State Park. Exhibits focus on the maritime history of Rhode Island, lighthouse lens technology, and the evolution of the U.S. Lighthouse Service. The location provides panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean and the East Passage of Narragansett Bay. The site is situated at the terminus of Beavertail Road in Jamestown, Rhode Island. The museum grounds are preserved to highlight the historical architecture of the light station complex.
The rocky cliffs just south of the lighthouse tower, looking back at the structure with the bay in the background.
Bring binoculars for spotting whales and seals in the winter months.
Walk the rocky shoreline paths surrounding the lighthouse for tidal pool exploration.
Check the weather before visiting, as the point is highly exposed to wind and sudden coastal temperature drops.
Do not attempt to climb the lighthouse tower, as it is closed to the public for safety and active operational reasons.
Open seasonally from spring through autumn; closed during winter months.
Stay on marked trails to protect the fragile coastal ecosystem.
