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Dec 25 - Dec 31, 2019 www.TheTownCommon.com Page 7
Discovering the Ultimate Hidden, Scenic Dining
Spot at the Newburyport Lighthouse
Why this special occasions destination is beacons above a typical dining experience
Article by Eric Hurwitz, @newenglandinfo. Story created on 11/12/2019.
Imagine climbing 55 winding stairs and
a six-foot ladder through a narrow hatch, en
route to an eight-foot in diameter room at the
top of a lighthouse to experience an unforgettable
romantic meal with a view.
The Rear Range Lighthouse -- also
known as Newburyport Lighthouse -- in
Newburyport, Mass. offers exactly that with
its dining room affording spectacular 360
degree panoramic views of the ocean, quaint
downtown Newburyport and the Merrimack
River Valley. Initially started in 1999 as a fundraiser
to support The Lighthouse Preservation
Society, the dining room at the Newburyport
Lighthouse is so popular that it is often booked
for months in advance. It’s also the only lighthouse
in the United States and possibly the
world that offers a dining out experience at the
top, according to Jay Hyland, president of The
Lighthouse Preservation Society.
As lighthouses historically stand out as
beacons of strength, security and solitude, so
does the dining experience at the Rear Range
Lighthouse. It’s just you and your significant
other snugly situated in this tiny private glassenclosed
room most popular for proposals,
anniversaries and birthday celebrations (there
have also been some very small weddings
here). Unless claustrophobic or acrophobic,
the sweat equity built by arriving at the top
of the lighthouse surely reveals one of the best
milestone event destination investments in all
of New England.
“It’s like a walk-in closet but with million
dollar views,” said Hyland. “It is very relaxing
up here. People are satisfied and have that
Cheshire Cat grin.”
Diners make a $350 donation to support
The Lighthouse Preservation Society and
access the dining room for up to five-and-ahalf
hours. Customers get to choose a romantic
meal at the top of the lighthouse from one of
several local restaurants. This can be done by
making a reservation ahead of time. Angie’s
Food provides breakfast and brunch. Loretta
(regional American fare), Brown Sugar by
the Sea (traditional Thai Cuisine) and the
Starboard Galley (fresh local seafood) offer
lunch and dinner. The Mission Oak Grill
(high-end steakhouse, seafood specialties), and
Glenn’s Food & Libations (eclectic cuisine,
tapas) focus primarily on serving dinner. The
cost of the meals are extra from the donation
but at standard restaurant menu prices.
The five stories to the top have revealed
countless chapters of memories amongst those
experiencing dining at the lighthouse. So many
stories, in fact, that customers have written
about their unforgettable experiences in several
logs (next to the stereo and music selections)
perched above the dining room table...
Music and memories.
“One guy hired an airplane with a sign
‘Will you marry me?’” said Hyland. “He also
hired a limo and brought two dozen roses. She
wasn’t going to say no.”
There’s even a balcony for more unobstructed
views and once in a while some magical
colors in the skies...
“Another guy in his mid-20s was concerned
about the weather,” said Hyland. “I said to
him that in the summer you get to see short
(weather) systems go through and not to be
concerned. Plus, the weather patterns can
look very interesting from the top of the lighthouse.
I convinced him to go through with it.
Wouldn’t you know, there was a full rainbow
from end to end!”
The experience starts out with a greeting
by wait staff at the base of the narrow lighthouse
and then a brief pre-meal workout up
the stairs.
Starting the climb to the top of the lighthouse.
Steep, narrow staircase, but ultimately certainly
worth the effort...
A few significant others have the common
nervous anxiety before proposing but also with
no build-up to popping the big question. The
dining room and views are so nice, why wait?
“Lots of guys are nervous, getting ready
to propose,” said Hyland. “One such person
proposed the very moment he got up here. He
couldn’t wait!”
The beauty of the area in one of New
England’s most impressive seaport cities can be
seen at the top of the lighthouse whether water
views... or a scene of downtown Newburyport
that looks like a toy village...
Charming Newburyport.
Yankee Magazine calls dining at the
Newburyport Lighthouse as “One of the
top 35 destinations to make the ‘ultimate
to-do list for New England Travelers.’” The
Phantom Gourmet billed it “Most Romantic
and Exclusive Dining.” Fox 25 Boston said
of the dining there, “The most private and
exclusive dining space in New England.” And
Northshore Magazine stated in its review, “
Most romantic dining.” Chronicle on WCVB-
TV Channel 5 featured a wonderful segment
on the lighthouse dining experience in
Newburyport.
“We have a lot of locals come here but also
from around the world -- Japan, South Africa,
India, England,” said Hyland. “People find us
through word-of-mouth, through the Internet
or media.”
How the Dining Room at Rear Range
Lighthouse Started
Built in 1873, the Newburyport Harbor
Rear Range Lighthouse worked in tandem
with the Front Range Lighthouse 50 yards
away to helps ships and boats navigate correctly
into the area. Moving forward to 1961,
both lighthouses were decommissioned and
the Rear Range Light was sold to a private
party. Hyland remembers that many years
later local developer David Hall, whose father
owned the lighthouse, enthused about “having
lunch at the top.” The lighthouse bulb went
on over Hyland’s head and he asked Hall if he
could run the lighthouse as a dining out spot.
Hall agreed, and a new light in the form of a
dining out spot suddenly shone well above sea
level in Newburyport. The lighthouse has also
been repaired and repainted through the years
to keep things in excellent condition.
Hyland’s family supported his decision to
open the dining spot.
“When telling my wife, she said that anything
that brought in money was a good idea
as we didn’t have much,” said Hyland, with a
laugh. “Everything worked out well. Dining
here got more popular, I’d say about 15 years
ago. The rise of the Internet and social media
definitely helped.”
The Newburyport Lighthouse dining out
concept reflects well upon Hyland’s overall
passion for lighthouses. Hyland’s mission with
The Lighthouse Preservation Society is to
make lighthouse preservation and its heritage
a national issue. in the process, the Toledo,
Ohio, native has played an important role in
lighthouse history.
He has spearheaded a national effort to save
America’s lighthouses, aiding in the creation
of the National Lighthouse Preservatioon Act.
Hyland successfully lobbied for a congressional
hearing in the 1980s, leading to a
Coast Guard policy review. A recipient of
the Presidential Achievement Award from the
Federal Government to preserve lighthouse
heritage, The Lighthouse Preservation Society
has been involved in more Congressional hearings
as well as conferences, the sponsorship of
National Lighthouse Day and its celebrations,
the nomination of 30 U.S. lighthouse stamps,
and the raising of nearly $6 million for more
than 160 lighthouse projects.
Hyland holds a Bachelors Degree in communications
from Purdue University in West
Lafayette, Ind., and a Masters of Divinity
degree from Gordon-Conwell Theological
Seminary College in Hamilton, Mass. He
is currently enrolled in a doctorate program
at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in
church history. Now living in Dover, N.H,
Hyland looks at his involvement with lighthouses
-- including the dining room destination
at Rear Range Lighthouse -- as a blessing.
“God gave us a passion for things,” said
Hyland. “The scriptures say to commit your
way to the Lord and trust in him... This is
what I love doing.”
Conclusion
The perfect place for a special occasion.
Photo, courtesy of The Lighthouse
Preservation Society.
Big-time enjoyment surely comes from
what could be the smallest restaurant in New
England. While the padded benches, dining
table, music and a climate control system lend
comfort, it’s ultimately the incredible views,
outstanding food and one-of-a-kind destination
presence that make dining at the Rear
Range Lighthouse a must-try when visiting, or
living in New England. Plus, the Rear Range
Lighthouse is located just a few minute’s walk
from the heart of downtown Newburyport
with its beautiful Federalist-style architecture,
shops and restaurants. Newburyport,
the smallest city in Massachusetts, is definitely
one of New England travel gems. Just make
sure that the restaurant part of that visit
to Newburyport leads to the Newburyport
Lighthouse!
At 68-years-old, Hyland has no plans to
retire -- great news for those coming back to
dine at the Rear Range Lighthouse or firsttimers.
“You can’t retire when running a nonprofit,”
said Hyland with a smile. “And I continue
to enjoy doing this!”
Rear Range Light is located at 61-1/2
Water St., Newburyport, MA. Tel. 1-800-
727-2326.
The Lighthouse Preservation Society Web
site: http://www.lighthousepreservation.org
The Lighthouse Preservation Society
Dinner at the Lighthouse page: http://www.
lighthousepreservation.org/dining.php
Facebook fan page: https://www.facebook.
com/RearRangeLight/
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7 Gardner St Amesbury, MA Detached 3 1 49 365000 360000
119 Market St Amesbury, MA Detached 3 2 109 369900 350000
16 Taylor Street Georgetown, MA Detached 2 2 17 389000 393500
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151 Ipswich Rd Topsfield, MA Detached 3 1 21 459900 442000
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