The lighthouse was decommissioned in 1889 when a new beacon was installed on the Stonington Breakwater.
During the War of 1812, the British fleet bombarded Stonington Point, which is now the site of the lighthouse grounds.
The lighthouse tower is constructed of massive, hand-cut granite blocks sourced from local quarries.
It is the only lighthouse museum in the United States that showcases a specialized collection of whaling-related artifacts specific to a single, small coastal village.
The light station was established by the federal government specifically to help vessels navigate the treacherous waters leading to the harbor.
The Stonington Lighthouse Museum, established in 1840, features an iconic granite structure serving as the first lighthouse in Connecticut to be converted into a local history museum. Managed by the Stonington Historical Society, the museum houses a collection focused on the maritime, agricultural, and industrial heritage of Stonington Village. The building sits at the tip of Stonington Point, overlooking the confluence of Fishers Island Sound, Little Narragansett Bay, and Block Island Sound. Visitors can climb the original spiral staircase to the lantern room for panoramic views of three states: Connecticut, Rhode Island, and New York. The exhibits detail the town's history as a hub for sealing, whaling, and granite quarrying. The structure itself is built from locally quarried granite blocks, demonstrating 19th-century masonry techniques. Educational displays include Native American artifacts, ship models, and domestic tools from the town's early colonial settlers. The museum occupies the former keeper’s quarters, maintaining much of the original interior layout.
The lantern room gallery walk, providing a 360-degree vantage point of the harbor and Atlantic coastline.
Climb to the top of the tower early in your visit to ensure you have the energy for the narrow, winding stairs.
Check the horizon on clear days to spot the distant outlines of Block Island and Fishers Island.
Explore the surrounding lawn to see the granite remnants and markers that predate the modern park layout.
Attempting to visit during the winter months, as the museum operates on a seasonal schedule.
Open seasonally from spring through autumn; closed on Mondays and during the winter months.
Visitors must navigate steep, narrow stairs with caution; non-slip footwear is highly recommended.
