If you have dreamed of being a lighthouse keeper, and are looking for a rewarding "working vacation," we may be able to make your dreams come true! During the last 10 years, we have met some wonderful people who invested their time, their skills and their love to become part of the history of this very special island lighthouse in Newport, Rhode Island.

HOW THEY BEGAN
The Rose Island Lighthouse has been maintained by volunteer weekly keepers since it was restored in 1993. In the early days, our keepers spent a few hours each day doing daily record keeping, seasonal maintenance chores, and cleaning. They also enjoyed a significant amount of "vacation" time for relaxation, reading, and such. We still offer this "Keeper-Vacation" experience.

Every once-in-a-while our keepers would stay busy with a special project for 6-8 hrs per day. At the end of their week they had a log of their time, photographs of their work, and we gave them a letter acknowledging the full amount of their program fee as a contribution, since RILF is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. In addition, they were able to claim some, or all, of their out-of-pocket expenses for the week as a charitable donation (including travel and food, but not the value of their time). We now formally offer this option as the "Full-Time Keeper" program.

We are grateful to the hundreds of keepers who have maintained the lighthouse since 1993 and we look forward to seeing some of you come back to help with our next major project -- the restoration of Fort Hamilton, including the NW circular bastion and the barracks (pictured right)

Your daily duties start about 7:30 AM when you listen to the marine weather on the VHF radio. At 8 AM your rounds begin by raising the flag (you will lower it at sunset). Next you will record and manage our NOAA cooperative weather station, wind-powered electric system, and rainwater gathering system. You'll make sure the lighthouse is clean and presentable for the day, will greet visitors and overnighters in the museum, and will collect money from the landing fee boxes and gift shop at the end of the day.

Floor Plan (2nd Floor Keepers' Quarters)

2 Keeper Programs:  Choose one and make your reservations now

1. Regular Keeper Vacation Week
Every day each person will devote 1-2 hours to lighthouse keeping chores, responsibilities and maintenance projects. The balance of the day is yours to pursue relaxation, recreational and other vacation activities.

2. Full-Time Keeper Week (Tax-Deductible)
If you have skills we need, and you are willing to work 6-8 hours for 5 days of the week, then you can be our Full Time Keeper of the Week. We'll do our best to match your skills with our projects to maintain the Rose Island Light Station and to restore and renovate the magnificent 200-year-old structures of Fort Hamilton.
To be eligible, you must contact us IN ADVANCE and fill out an application. During your week you must keep a written log of your time and take before-and-after photographs of your work. Make two copies and send one to us so we can generate an official letter acknowledging your contribution.
Besides having an incredible feeling of accomplishment at the end of your week you'll also have a tax-deduction for all your out of pocket expenses for travel, meals, and the Keeper fee you pay to RILF. (See your tax advisor and IRS Publication 526 Charitable Contributions, pages 4-6 to evaluate your deductible expenses.)

HEALTH REQUIREMENTS: Your safety is in YOUR OWN hands, since you're on an island reachable only by boat. Therefore, we rely on you to be the best judge of your abilities as well as your limitations and to take necessary precautions, and to bring your medications, etc. So if you have asthma that gets triggered when the grass is mowed, for example, you want to think twice before making your reservation in the summer! Specifically, it is important for us to know if you or anyone in your party has any restrictions on your activities, or if you have limited mobility due to injuries, joint replacement, morbid obesity or other reason. Getting onto and off of boats is a necessary part of this adventure.

RESERVATIONS
The keeper's apartment is geared for families with children. Fees are based on two (2) adults and up to four (4) children or grandchildren under 18 years of age. Additional adults pay $25 per night, plus chores. Maximum occupancy for the 2nd floor quarters is six (6) people (4 adults and 2 children). The bunk room is reserved only for children. If you plan on having a family reunion or having friends visit overnight, consider reserving the first floor museum bedrooms. We offer discounts to keepers from January to March when museum tours are rarely scheduled.

PARKING & TRANSPORTATION
If you have a car, our staff will arrange for secured parking for the week for a reasonable fee, and will arrange for your boat ride to Rose Island.

• More than 6 months in advance - $50 (Non-refundable)
• 6 months in advance - 50% of the fee is due (Non-refundable).
• 60 days in advance - Balance of all fees due (including apartment fee, 7% R.I. sales tax, boat transportation and parking fees).
  

CANCELLATION POLICY – If you cancel for any reason, we reserve the right to retain all monies paid up to that point. We highly recommend protecting your vacation investment by purchasing travel insurance in case of last-minute sickness or accident, etc. If the weather prevents us from getting you to the lighthouse safely on your check in day, we will put you up for the night in town and take you out to the lighthouse as soon as it is safe.

PAYMENT - We will keep your valid MC/Visa on file and prefer this form of payment, but we also accept cash, personal checks and travelers checks. It is your responsibility to inform us of your change of address, name, telephone number, email address, etc., to prevent us from having to cancel your reservation if we can't get in touch with you.

1. Pack it in, pack it out. There are no trash pick ups on Rose Island except for the ones you do yourself.
2. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. (Don't buy it in the first place if you can't reuse it or recycle it.) No Styrofoam please!
3. Smoking is not allowed in the Lighthouse at any time and only on the beach if you leave no trace.
4. No candles or oil lamps allowed - There's no fire station nearby! (Birthday candles excepted.)
5. Lighthouse keeping is generally suitable for children ages 5 and up.
6. No pets are allowed from April 1-August 15 while birds are nesting - no exceptions. At other times Keepers may bring their dogs under special circumstances. No dogs are allowed in the first floor museum - not even OUR dog Wiggins (rest his soul) was allowed in the museum!
7. Please take the time before your trip to review the information and map that we send you and remember to bring it with you.

Check out our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page
or for more information call: 401-847-4242 between the hours of 9 AM - 1 PM