Sea Girt Borough

	Sea Girt Lighthouse Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Who owns the Sea Girt Lighthouse building and is it still functioning as a lighthouse? A.The lighthouse was decommissioned in the 1950’s along with most other lighthouses, as they became obsolete. The Borough of Sea Girt now owns the building, which is leased to the Sea Girt Lighthouse Citizens Committee. Q. What is the Sea Girt Lighthouse Citizens Committee and what does it do? A. The committee is a non-profit, volunteer organization, consisting of more than 450 members and a board of 18 trustees, committed to preserving the building, promoting its rich history through tours, making it available for special events, and raising the funds to continue these efforts. Q. Is the Sea Girt Lighthouse open for tours? A.Tours are conducted Sundays through November 18, from 2-4 p.m. , except on holiday weekends. Visitors can tour the lighthouse keeper’s office, the Fresnel lens room, and the tower. Q. Where do I go for tour updates? A. You can check the notice board in front of the lighthouse or call our message line at 732-974-0514. Q. Who runs the tours and what will I see? A. Tours are conducted by knowledgeable volunteers, steeped in the history of the 108-year-old lighthouse and the ships and voyagers its beacon guided. You will be able to see an authentic Fresnel lens, similar to the original Sea Girt lens that cast a beacon 16 miles out to sea. You’ll have guided access to all rooms of the lighthouse, including the keep’s office, the living quarters, and the tower, learning how generations of keeps and later Coast Guardsmen operated the lighthouse and kept ship traffic safe. You’ll also see artifacts of the Morro Castle cruise ship, which burned off the Sea Girt Light in 1934. Q. Does the lighthouse tour offer any information on the history of Sea Girt? A. Yes, our exhibit includes artifacts, street maps, and photographs of Sea Girt from bygone eras. The Stockton Hotel, Tremont Hotel, the old pavilion, and the governor’s summer residence are preserved in photos for all to enjoy. There are photos of Camp Sea Girt, which during the 1850s was the farm of Commodore Robert Field Stockton, a retired naval hero and former U.S. senator. A founding father of Sea Girt, Stockton called his farm Seagirt, the name later given to the town. Q. Do you sell lighthouse memorabilia? A. Yes, we do. We have caps, shirts, and sweatshirts with the Sea Girt Lighthouse logo. We also have lighthouse replicas, patches, pins, books, postcards, notepaper, mugs, Christmas cards, and more. Items are for sale at the lighthouse during our Sunday tours. Q. Can I hold a party or a club meeting at the lighthouse? A. The committee encourages the use of the lighthouse by the Sea Girt community. The lighthouse is available to Sea Girt property owners for special events, such as family reunions, engagement showers, and anniversary celebrations, and to area civic groups and non-profit organizations, including the local garden club, the fishing club, and an artists group for their meetings. Q. How do I reserve the lighthouse for an upcoming event? A. You may speak directly to a trustee. Or call the lighthouse, 732-974-0514, and leave a message. Your call will be returned as soon as possible. Q. Is there any charge to use the lighthouse? A. There is a fee of $300 for use by a Sea Girt property owner, who must provide a certificate of liability insurance for at least $1 million and provide a $1,000 refundable security for the day of the event. A donation is typically made by an organization, which also must present a certificate of liability insurance for at least $1 million for the day of the event. Q. How do I get an invitation to your August cocktail party? A.Invitations are mailed to every member of the Sea Girt Lighthouse Citizens Committee. Space constraints limit the number of tickets for sale to 400. The party has become the social event of the season, so tickets go quickly. Q. How can I join the Sea Girt Lighthouse Citizens Committee and what are the benefits? A. We welcome new members and encourage them to volunteer. Dues are $25 annually per person; $200 for a perpetual membership. Your benefits include: invitations to the annual meeting featuring a topical speaker, the annual summer party, and the holiday reception in December, the fellowship of other lighthouse enthusiasts, and the rewards of helping to preserve an historic building and its rich story for future generations. Q. Where do I sign up? A. You may join by making a check payable to the Sea Girt Lighthouse Citizens Committee, Inc., and mailing it to: P.O. Box 83, Ocean Avenue, Sea Girt, NJ 08750. Q. I’m considering making a donation to the Sea Girt Lighthouse Citizens Committee. Are gifts tax deductible? A. Yes, they are. The Sea Girt Lighthouse Citizens Committee is a tax-exempt foundation under Section 501(c)(3) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code, registered with the State of New Jersey. Therefore all donations are tax deductible subject to standard IRS regulations. Gifts may be made throughout the year and are greatly appreciated. Q. Whom do I make my gift to? A. Gifts, bequests, and charitable trusts can be arranged through Robert McKelvey, treasurer, at George McKelvey Company, 732-449-5323. Q. My company offers matching gifts. Do you qualify? A. Yes, the Sea Girt Lighthouse Citizens Committee does qualify for matching gifts. The Sea Girt Lighthouse is registered under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Q. Is my membership fee tax deductible? A. Yes, your membership fee is tax deductible. The Sea Girt Lighthouse is registered under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Q. Where is the lighthouse and how do I get there? A. The lighthouse is located at the northeast corner of Sea Girt, at Ocean Avenue and Beacon Boulevard. The lighthouse is easily reached from Route 71, Route 35, and the Garden State Parkway. From the parkway, take Exit 98 to Route 138 East. Follow the signs to Ocean Avenue in Belmar, head south through Spring Lake. At the south end of Spring Lake, you’ll see the red brick lighthouse straight ahead. Take a right on Brown Avenue, go one block and then left over the bridge into Sea Girt, take the first left onto Beacon. You’re here. See you in the tower!