THE PRESUMPSCOT FOUNDATION

The purposes of the Foundation are to acquire maintain and retain real property and related personal property in Maine for the purposes of protecting its natural scenic and open space values preserving open space for the benefit of the public and the environment and engage in historic preservation. In 2023 the primary project of the Foundation was to maintain Halfway Rock Lighthouse. This lighthouse is perched midway across the mouth of Casco Bay on a barren ledge of two acres. It is a remote wave-swept beacon nearly inaccessible and totally exposed to the ravages of nature. Built in 1871 to guide mariners approaching Portland Harbor the lighthouse was staged until it was automated in 1976. Thereafter maintenance was limited to the bare essentials required to keep the light and foghorn functioning. It was declared surplus government property in 2014. Due to the lighthouses tremendous historic significance the Foundation acquired and restored it.