Description of Historic Place

The Lighthouse at Machias Seal Island is located on a remote treeless, 15-acre, granite island in the Bay of Fundy. The octagonal structure is distinguished by a classically arranged base, a tapered shaft and capital. A metal lantern surmounts the flared top of the shaft. The designation is confined to the footprint of the building.

Heritage Value

The Lighthouse is a Recognized Federal Heritage Building because of its historical associations, and its architectural and environmental values.

Historical Value:
The Lighthouse is associated with the provision of navigational aids for sea traffic within the Bay of Fundy shipping lanes. The present tower and previous structures on the site have served this role since 1832. Originally constructed during the colonial period of New Brunswick, and subsequently replaced, the continued presence of a Canadian lighthouse established a sovereignty claim over the island. This claim however, was disputed by the United States and not fully recognized in law until 1925.

Architectural Value:
The Lighthouse is a representation of an early and successful adaptation of evolving reinforced concrete technology to meet the functional requirements of a lighthouse. It is a relatively thin shell, retaining some classical design elements without the buttresses or internal framing supports associated with earlier examples.

Environmental Value:
The Lighthouse reinforces the picturesque maritime character of Machias Seal Island and helps to establish the Bay of Fundy as an important region for shipping. The Lighthouse is well known to the shipping community and is a regional landmark. It is also known to visitors to the island in its role as a bird sanctuary.

Sources:
Lighthouse, Fog Alarm Building, Oil Storage Shed and Boathouse, Machias Seal Island Light Station, Machias Seal Island, New Brunswick. Federal Heritage Buildings Review Office Report 87-125; Lighthouse, Machias Seal Island light Station, Machias Seal Island, New Brunswick. Heritage Character Statement 87-125.

Character-Defining Elements

The character-defining elements of Lighthouse should be respected.

Its functional design and good quality materials and craftsmanship, for example: the building’s form and massing, consisting of an octagonal design, tall profile, with a flared platform surmounted by an iron lantern; its relatively thin-shelled, reinforced concrete construction material; the smooth, unscored surface of the concrete, which approximates the masonry typically found in a classical structure; the classically arranged base, delineated by a string course, tapered shaft and capital; the windows with pediment-shaped lintels that are located in the shaft; the building’s limited decorative detailing.

The manner in which the lighthouse reinforces the picturesque, maritime setting and acts as a regional landmark as evidenced by: the structure’s location on a rugged, open rocky island where it is the focal point of a group of simple lightstation structures; the Lighhtouse’s high visibility and recognition by the shipping community; its role as a bird sanctuary which makes it familiar to visitors of the island.

Heritage Character Statement

Disclaimer - The heritage character statement was developed by FHBRO to explain the reasons for the designation of a federal heritage building and what it is about the building that makes it significant (the heritage character). It is a key reference document for anyone involved in planning interventions to federal heritage buildings and is used by FHBRO in their review of interventions.

The Machias Seal Island Lighthouse was built in 1914 to designs by the Marine Department. New lighting equipment and fog horns have been installed since it was constructed. It remains in active use as a lighthouse, while the island is now a migratory bird sanctuary. The custodial department is Transport Canada, Canadian Coast Guard. See FHBRO Building Report 87-125.

Reason for Designation
The Machias Seal Island Lighthouse was designated Recognized because of its association with important historical themes, its highly functional design combined with classical proportions and its importance within its environment.

The original Machias Seal Island lighthouse and subsequent replacements have been important navigational aids since 1832, serving as entrance lights to the Bay of Fundy for ships approaching from the south. Moreover, the original construction by colonial New Brunswick and the continued presence of a Canadian lighthouse established a sovereignty claim over the island, disputed by the United States and not fully recognized in law until 1925.

The design of the current lighthouse represents an early and successful adaptation of reinforced concrete to the functional requirements of a lighthouse, while retaining classical design elements from an earlier period of lighthouse design. The tower is a dominant element in its isolated remote setting.

Character Defining Elements
The heritage character of the lighthouse is defined by its exterior form and materials, its functional design and its relationship to its setting.

The lighthouse is of octagonal design, with a classically arranged base, tapered shaft and capital. The projecting base (not part of historic fabric) is further delineated by a projecting string course. Windows, with pediment-shape lintels, are located in the shaft. The capital is provided by the flared top of the shaft on which rests the metal lantern. The smooth surface of the concrete, although not scored in this example, approximates the masonry typically found in a classical structure.

The Machias Seal Island lighthouse, one of the earliest of its type, represents a rationalization of the evolving reinforced-concrete technology. It is a relatively thin shell without the buttresses or internal framing supports associated with earlier examples.

A program of regular inspection and repair should be instituted if not already in place. Future repairs should be undertaken under the guidance of conservation specialists with knowledge of historic concrete. The basic form, classical detailing and function of the structure should be preserved.

Machias Seal Island in the Bay of Fundy is a 15-acre remote, treeless outcropping of granite, home only to lighthouse personnel and, more recently, ornithologists managing the bird sanctuary. The rugged open nature of the setting, in which the lighthouse is a local landmark, should be preserved.