For nearly 170 years, Absecon Lighthouse has watched over the Atlantic City skyline, standing as a reminder of the city’s maritime past while continuing to serve the community in new ways.
The state’s tallest lighthouse and the nation’s third-tallest masonry lighthouse will once again celebrate National Lighthouse Day on Aug. 7 and 8 with two annual events designed to welcome both longtime supporters and first-time visitors.
For Arianne Sellers, who recently stepped into the role of executive director, the celebration reflects the lighthouse’s mission of preserving history while creating lasting memories for families.
“National Lighthouse Day is really special to us because we are a beacon for maritime history, but also for the Atlantic City community, and also its rich history,” Sellers said. “We invite the public to come and climb the lighthouse, learn about all of our different aspects within the structure itself, but then also be a part of the party in the garden.”
The festivities begin Friday, Aug. 7, with the National Lighthouse Day Festival from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the lighthouse’s two-acre grounds. The family-friendly event will feature pony rides, a petting zoo, face painting, giant bubbles, games and hot dog and ice cream vendors. Children ages 4 to 12 can climb the lighthouse free with a paying adult.
The celebration continues Saturday evening with the annual Wine Tasting Porch Party, a fundraiser that helps support the historic landmark. Guests can sample wines paired with gourmet fare from White Horse Wine & Spirits while enjoying music from DJ Franny Lane.
Sellers said local personalities Mike Lopez and Scott Cronick will also serve as guest bartenders during the event. Tickets are $50 before the event, and $60 at the door.
Standing 171 feet tall, the lighthouse first lit its beacon on Jan. 15, 1857. Visitors today climb 228 steps to the watch room, where panoramic views stretch across Atlantic City, Brigantine, Absecon and the coastline.
“Certainly it’s the tallest lighthouse in New Jersey, so we have that point of pride,” Sellers said. “But I think the views are truly unique. You’ve got the casinos, you’ve got the beach, you’ve got Brigantine in the distance, and you can see all the way to Absecon and the channel.”
The climb itself is designed to be manageable, with several landings featuring exhibits and windows that offer changing perspectives as visitors make their way upward. Sellers said visitors can reach the top within 10 to 15 minutes.
One of the lighthouse’s most treasured features awaits at the top. Absecon Lighthouse is the only lighthouse in New Jersey that still houses its original first-order Fresnel lens, which is much thinner than a conventional lens and uses prisms to refract light to the center of the lens, where it is concentrated into a powerful beam, according to the National Park Service.
The lens was manufactured in Paris and shipped across the Atlantic before the lighthouse opened in 1857.
“There aren’t many left in the country,” Sellers said. “It’s got this really thick greenish-tint glass, which throughout the day, depending on how the light hits it, creates a lot of different rainbows and beautiful colors.”
Although the lighthouse no longer serves as an active navigational aid, it is illuminated every evening. Today, it also plays an unexpected role in protecting marine life through the Station Keepers program, which uses equipment installed near the Fresnel lens to signal ships to slow down in areas where endangered North Atlantic right whales migrate.
“I like to think it’s a nice twist of fate,” Sellers said. “We used to be lit by whale oil at the top, and now we are helping to save whales. We are technically still a beacon. We’re just a beacon to save the whales.”
Over the decades, the lighthouse has evolved from a maritime necessity into a year-round community destination. Visitors can explore the museum and gift shop, stroll the gardens, visit the community garden and attend a variety of educational and recreational programs, including yoga classes, children’s crafts and seasonal events.
This summer also includes the free Sunset Fiddle Concert on Aug. 26, featuring the Linwood Fiddle Club performing on the lighthouse grounds.
“We’ve been doing it for about the last three years,” Sellers said. “People bring a lawn chair, a cooler, a blanket, and it’s just a wonderful opportunity for the inlet community and all of Atlantic City to enjoy a free concert.”
The nonprofit Inlet Public/Private Association has overseen the lighthouse since the 1990s, raising millions of dollars to restore the landmark after decades of deterioration. Maintaining the nearly 170-year-old structure remains an ongoing challenge, particularly with exposure to coastal weather and salt air, but Sellers credits the lighthouse’s longevity to dedicated volunteers, staff and community supporters.
“I think every year we keep getting bigger and better,” she said. “We have become a welcoming pillar in the community.”
For those who have driven past the lighthouse for years but never ventured inside, Sellers urges them to check it out.
“Come on over,” she said. “It’s a great climb. It’s an affordable option, and people of all ages really enjoy coming here and appreciating the history and the views, too.”
Julia graduated from Rider University in 2024 with a BA in multiplatform journalism and minor in social media strategies. In addition to reporting on local news for Shore Local, she is a social media strategist for small businesses. Connect with her: shorelocaljulia@gmail.com or @juliatrain on Instagram.
