The Calvert Marine Museum’s Cove Point Lighthouse, located at the end of Cove Point Road, has reopened for the summer season. During the months of June, July, and August, the lighthouse grounds are open daily from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. During the month of September, the Cove Point Lighthouse is open on weekends only from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.  

Trained docents are on site at Cove Point to welcome visitors and share information about this interesting piece of local history. Visitors are asked to please be respectful of the residential community by obeying posted speed limits. There is no charge for visiting the lighthouse and reservations are not required. Directions may be obtained at the Calvert Marine Museum in Solomons, or map your way to 3500 Lighthouse Boulevard (Route 497) in Lusby.  

Cove Point Lighthouse was built by John Donahoo of Havre de Grace in 1828. It was designed to mark one of the narrowest parts of the Chesapeake Bay and to guide ships safely into the Patuxent River. In addition to the tower style lighthouse, visitors will see the Keeper’s House, a duplex where both the lighthouse keeper and his assistant and their families lived; the fog signal building which has been renovated as an education center where a film about the lighthouse can be seen; a radio station building; and an observation deck overlooking the LNG loading dock and Calvert Cliffs. Cove Point Lighthouse is Maryland’s oldest continuously operating lighthouse. 

For local lighthouse buffs, why not consider becoming a trained docent and leading tours as a museum volunteer?  For more information about volunteering at the Calvert Marine Museum or the Cove Point Lighthouse, contact Sherry Reid, (410) 326-2042 ext. 19.  

The museum also hosts overnights at the lighthouse for families or scout troops. For information on these activities, call (410) 326-2042 ext. 41. For more information about the Calvert Marine Museum and the Cove Point Lighthouse, visit the website at www.calvertmarinemuseum.com.