Commemorative candle lighting

One of the main reasons behind our ‘Super Structures’ exhibition (25 July to 17 October 2009) was to mark the 250th anniversary of Smeaton’s Tower.

Plymouth’s iconic lighthouse was illuminated by 24 candles for the very first time on 16 October 1759. Now a centrepiece on Plymouth’s Hoe, the lighthouse was originally situated on the notorious Eddystone Reef some 14 miles out to sea. Designed by civil engineer John Smeaton, the lighthouse stood on the reef for more than 100 years. In 1882, the upper part was taken down, brought ashore and rebuilt on a new granite base on the Hoe. It was opened as a visitor attraction in September 1884 and is now one of the city’s most famous landmarks.

To mark the 250th anniversary, we organised a series of events which included handing out certificates to visitors on the tower’s official ‘birthday’, a series of lunchtime lectures – including one by a former lighthouse keeper, a day of family-friendly activities and the launch of well-known south west folk musicians, Wren Music’s new CD of songs inspired by the sea.

Our most adventurous event was a commemorative candle lighting on the evening of Thursday 15 October. A small group of representatives from the Institute of Civil Engineers (ICE) climbed to the top of the lighthouse and lit the candles. Nearly 200 people braved the cold to gather on The Hoe and watch as the Lantern Room was lit up exactly as it would have been in 1759.