Nahant Lifesaving Station board seeks volunteers to help install new fence

NAHANT - Work is progressing on the Nahant Lifesaving Station and this summer beachgoers will have access to restroom facilities inside the Nahant Lifesaving Station garage for visitors to Short Beach.

Nahant Lifesaving Station Committee member Roz Puleo said "The bathrooms will be opening soon for the summer. This is something people who use that beach have been asking for."

The committee is looking for volunteers to assist with cleaning up the area around the station and to help install a fence on June 14.

Puleo said the post and beam fence is similar to the original fence that graced the property when the Coast Guard Station was first built.

"We need people to help put up 300 feet of fencing across the front of the property," she said. "We're getting rid of the what is there now and installing a historically accurate fence that is more attractive than what we have now."

Puleo said all the necessary equipment would be provided for the installation and volunteers would be treated to a cookout for lunch.

Puleo said much of the outside work at the Nahant Lifesaving Station is complete and the committee would be turning its attention to the interior.

"The first project is removing the asbestos," she said. "We have to just about gut the whole interior to get the asbestos out."

The Lifesaving Station was built in 1899 and remained in active service until 1964. It is one of only handful of lifesaving stations still in existence in the United States. At the request of the town the Federal Government officially transferred ownership of the station to Nahant in 1999. Since that time a number of fundraisers have been held to restore the historic property and it has been the recipient of Community Preservation Act funds as well.

Future plans for the station include use as a recreational center for the community with outdoor showers, restroom facilities and a concession area.

July 2009

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