Events

March Public Program

Brilliant Beacons: A History of the American Lighthouse
A slideshow lecture by Eric Jay Dolin

Sunday, March 19, 2023
2:00 PM
Watertown Savings Bank Meeting Room
Watertown Free Public Library
123 Main Street
Watertown, MA 02472

In a work rich in maritime lore and brimming with original historical detail, Eric Jay Dolin presents the most comprehensive history of American lighthouses ever written, telling the story of America through the prism of its beloved coastal sentinels.  Set against the backdrop of an expanding nation, Brilliant Beacons traces the evolution of America's lighthouse system, highlighting the political, military and technological battles fought to illuminate the nation's hardscrabble coastlines.

Mr. Dolin grew up near the coasts of New York and Connecticut.  Since an early age, he has been fascinated by the natural world, especially the ocean.  He earned a bachelor's degree from Brown University, where he majored in biology and environmental studies.  He also holds a master's degree in environmental management from Yale University and a Ph.D. in environmental policy and planning from MIT, where his dissertation focused on the role of the courts in the cleanup of Boston Harbor.  He enjoys telling stories and has authored fifteen books.

This program is funded by a 2022 grant from the Watertown Community Foundation.

This program is free and open to the public.
For more information, contact Joyce at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..