Maine's first ever Open Lighthouse Day will take place on September 12, 2009, when the Coast Guard, in partnership with the Maine Office of Tourism and the American Lighthouse Foundation, will open 27 lighthouses for the public to visit and tour from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Open Lighthouse Day is the largest event of its kind to take place across the country. Since 1791 with the opening of Portland Head Light, lighthouses have greatly contributed to Maine's proud history and have helped make its picturesque coastline legendary. While all Maine lighthouses cannot be opened to the public for safety and accessibility reasons, those that are opened will provide Maine and its coastal communities the chance to showcase the long lasting and proud partnerships that they have shared with the Coast Guard for over 200 years.
 
The Coast Guard has owned and operated Maine's lighthouses for many years until recently when many of them were transferred to organizations such as the American Lighthouse Foundation and other private owners who take great pride in preserving some of Maine's most iconic structures.

The public is invited to take this opportunity to experience a piece of Maine's maritime history like never before.

Additional information on all of Maine's lighthouses and a detailed list of the lighthouses that will be open on September 12th can be found at www.lighthouseday.com.