There’s no date set at this point in time, but if all goes as planned, sometime—probably in the winter of 2023—the rehabilitation of the Ocracoke Lighthouse will begin.
It won’t be just the lighthouse either. The Lighthouse grounds include a Double Keepers’ Quarters, Carpenter’s Shop, Store House, Cisterns, Privy, Oil House and Generator House. The Generator House is not considered a historic structure, but all the other building on the site are.
Everything was damaged by Hurricane Dorian, with the Double Keepers’ Quarters in particular sustaining significant damage. The Double Keepers’ Quarters are considered unique. Typically keepers’ quarters would be separate building, making the Ocracoke quarters quite significant.
Before any work could begin, an environmental assessment had to be completed and the finding establish emphatically that the Ocracoke Lighthouse complex is valuable and needs to be saved.
Plans call for elevating many of the buildings, a particularly important first step. Dorian set a new record for storm surge in the village, but there is every reason to believe there will be other Dorian in the future.
In addition to raising the buildings there is considerable other work being planned including removing the shotcrete from the exterior of the Lighthouse and replacing it with a coating will give greater protection to the masonry and some moisture control. Some of the windows are not historically accurate, so those will be replaced as well. There are also plans to repair any leaks that may have appeared over the years.
The information shared from the National Park Service, who manages the Lighthouse and grounds, did not put a price tag on the project.
History surrounds us here on the Outer Banks. Be sure to take a tour of our lighthouses and learn what makes this such an amazing place. A Brindley Beach Vacations home is the perfect base for any exploration of the Outer Banks.