Remarks to the Delaware Bay Lighthouse Keepers & Friends Association

First, I want to thank Mark Allen and the Delaware Bay Lighthouse Keepers & Friends Association for inviting me here today. It’s truly an honor to speak with a group so dedicated to protecting one of our region’s most iconic and vulnerable historic treasures—the East Point Lighthouse. 

For those of you who may not be familiar with our organization, Preservation New Jersey is a statewide nonprofit that advocates for the preservation of New Jersey’s historic and cultural resources. Each year, we publish our 10 Most Endangered Historic Places list to bring attention to sites across the state that are at risk due to neglect, redevelopment pressures, lack of funding, or policy issues. Our goal is not only to raise awareness but to be a catalyst for action and support. 

East Point Lighthouse, as many of you know all too well, has appeared on our 10 Most Endangered list not once—but twice. And with good reason. This lighthouse, the second oldest in New Jersey and the only one remaining that’s accessible by land in the Delaware Bay area, is a rare and irreplaceable asset. It’s more than a beacon for boats—it’s a beacon for history, for community identity, and for the maritime heritage of Cumberland County and the state as a whole. 

Since the unfortunate eviction of the Maurice River Historical Society earlier this year, we’ve seen deeply troubling signs of neglect at the site. And as you’ve noted, the light itself—a designated Coast Guard Aid-to-Navigation—went dark recently. This kind of lapse isn’t just symbolic. It represents the very real consequences of disrupted stewardship and unclear responsibility. 

At Preservation New Jersey, we’ve been working to elevate these concerns through several ongoing and upcoming initiatives: 

• First, I’m excited to share that in Spring 2026, we’ll be launching a statewide lighthouse tour, designed to engage the public with these incredible structures. East Point will be an important stop on that tour—provided it is still accessible and safe for visitors. 

• We’re also preparing an upcoming installment of our “Preservation Bites,” which will focus on the East Point Lighthouse. For this article, we’ve conducted interviews with both lighthouse supporters and representatives from the Department of Environmental Protection, in an effort to present a full picture of the challenges. 

• In addition, we’re planning a month-long social media campaign, launching in mid-October and running through November, that will spotlight lighthouses across New Jersey. Our goal is to generate awareness not only about their beauty but their fragility—and to underscore their role as anchors of local history and coastal identity. 

We know lighthouses are far more than just charming photo ops. They are symbols of resilience, guiding vessels through storms. And in a way, they reflect the same resilience needed now to protect them—from storms of bureaucracy, apathy, and funding shortfalls. 

So I want to leave you with this thought: Lighthouses are not just about the past—they are about continuity. They tell stories of industry, immigration, navigation, and survival. They are stitched into the fabric of our state’s cultural landscape, and once they’re gone, they cannot be replaced. Your commitment—your vigilance—matters. And we at Preservation New Jersey stand with you. We’re here to amplify your voices, to connect you with resources, and to keep shining a light, even when the path forward seems uncertain. 

  Thank you. 

 Kelly C. Ruffel, Executive Director