Lighthouse Weathervane – Portland

This Portland Lighthouse Weather Vane, crafted in copper and brass, is a representation of the oldest lighthouse in the state of Maine. It was commissioned by a woman who had fond memories of this lighthouse. As a young girl she spent her summers there, where her grandfather was the lighthouse keeper! She wanted this weathervane as a reminder of this special time in her life and of the man who made it so.

Lighthouses have always been popular subjects for weathervanes. Many people who purchase them live near the coast, making this a fitting subject for display. If you are on a blustery coast do keep in mind that the marine environment can be very harsh and winds can be quite strong. For this reason we strongly recommend that the vertical installation rod be made of stainless steel (as is the case with our weathervanes). The cold rolled steel rods common among imported weather vanes do not hold up well under these strenuous conditions.

‘Portland Head Light’ is an historic lighthouse in Cape Elizabeth, Maine. The light station sits on a head of land at the entrance of the primary shipping channel into Portland Harbor, which is within Casco Bay in the Gulf of Maine. Completed in 1791, the light station is automated, and the tower, beacon, and foghorn are maintained by the United States Coast Guard, while the former lighthouse keepers’ house is now a maritime museum.

Today, visiting and photographing lighthouses are popular hobbies. Some lighthouses are popular travel destinations in their own right, and the buildings maintained as tourist attractions. The U.S. celebrates National Lighthouse and Lightship Weekend on the first weekend of August and International Lighthouse and Lightship Weekend on the third weekend.