HULL — September 2, 2026 — The Hull Select Board voted unanimously Wednesday night to submit an official letter of interest alongside the Hull Lifesaving Museum to pursue stewardship of Boston Light, America’s oldest lighthouse station, following the U.S. Coast Guard’s decision to decommission the historic beacon.
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America’s oldest light station may soon enter local hands. At Wednesday’s meeting, representatives from the Hull Lifesaving Museum alongside State Representative Joan Meschino presented a plan for the town and the museum to submit separate, parallel letters of interest to the federal General Services Administration (GSA) before an October 2 deadline. The move positions Hull as a direct contender to acquire and operate the historic site on Little Brewster Island at no transfer cost.
Museum Executive Director Mike McGurl and Director of Development Maureen Gillis outlined the opportunity under federal law, which allows government entities and qualified non-profits to acquire decommissioned maritime landmarks for public preservation. While the National Park Service (NPS) had initially been positioned to take over stewardship, the agency recently formally declined the transfer due to severe budget constraints and staffing reductions, shifting the responsibility to local stakeholders.
“Boston Light is America’s oldest lighthouse. It’s a national treasure that has guided mariners and navigators... for more than three centuries. And it’s always been part of Hull’s maritime story.” [00:20:41] — Maureen Gillis, Hull Lifesaving Museum Director of Development
Rep. Meschino provided regional context, explaining that legislative leaders have tracked the Coast Guard’s nationwide divestment of historical assets since 2020. Meschino emphasized that submitting two standalone letters of interest protects both parties: it qualifies each applicant individually under federal vetting rules while preserving a shared collaborative framework. This ensures that if the municipality decides down the road that direct management carries excessive financial liabilities, the Lifesaving Museum can continue its application independently or with other regional partners.
Board members voiced support for safeguarding the landmark from private acquisition while questioning the operational and financial hurdles ahead. Vice Chair Jerry Taverna and Member Irwin Nesoff asked about long-term maintenance liabilities, specialized restoration expenses, and inter-agency coordination. Rep. Meschino noted that while the U.S. Coast Guard will permanently retain navigational aids—such as the light and foghorn—and NPS will retain historic preservation oversight, the physical buildings and island grounds would transition to the chosen steward. The board voted 5-0 to approve the letter of interest submission.
