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Saving the Historic Southeast Lighthouse on Block Island

Wlavallee (Wikimedia Commons)

http://cptv.vo.llnwd.net/o2/ypmwebcontent/Heather/Morning%20Edition%2010-11-2012.mp3

There are fewer and fewer working lighthouses left in New England. But in a story produced by Rhode Island Public Radio's Bradley Campbell, residents of Block Island share how they saved one historic lighthouse... before it fell into the sea.

In 1875, workers constructed the Southeast Lighthouse on the edge of the Mohegan Bluffs. It worked for more than a century to help keep sailors safe. But in the 1990s, erosion forced the islanders to make a decision: save the lighthouse, or let it fall into the sea.

Islanders chose the former. And the Southeast Lighthouse continues to shine. But the story of the Southeast Lighthouse is something more.

The following is an oral history of the effort to save the Southeast Lighthouse. Voice come from members of the Block Island Southeast Lighthouse Foundation: Jean Napier, Pam Gasner, Lisa Nolan-Boudreau, and Martha Ball.

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SOMOS CONNECTICUT es una iniciativa de Connecticut Public, la emisora local de NPR y PBS del estado, que busca elevar nuestras historias latinas y expandir programación que alza y informa nuestras comunidades latinas locales. Visita CTPublic.org/latino para más reportajes y recursos. Para noticias, suscríbase a nuestro boletín informativo en ctpublic.org/newsletters.

The independent journalism and non-commercial programming you rely on every day is in danger.

If you’re reading this, you believe in trusted journalism and in learning without paywalls. You value access to educational content kids love and enriching cultural programming.

Now all of that is at risk.

Federal funding for public media is under threat and if it goes, the impact to our communities will be devastating.

Together, we can defend it. It’s time to protect what matters.

Your voice has protected public media before. Now, it’s needed again. Learn how you can protect the news and programming you depend on.

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