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Illuminating the Night Sky with the
4th Order Fresnel Lens
 The Light Station
Restoration Project raised $60,000 to purchase an exact acrylic replica of
the 4th order Fresnel Lens. This is the lens that created the beacon that
shone from the Light Station between 1860-1903. In 2007 a new lens was
installed to replace a ship's light that had been illuminating the lantern
from dusk to dawn every night. Just as was the case in 1860, the new
lens is the single most expensive component of the lighthouse. The 4th
order beehive lens is approximately 28" tall. The individual
prisms that comprise the lens are affixed within a brass frame or
divider. The divider and prisms are hinged on one side, allowing access
to the interior where a 4th order lamp stood upon a brass base. The
lens and lamp are atop a cast iron pedestal, bringing the lens level with the
nine panes of glass that create the lantern room configuration.
Port Washington,
Wisconsin 4th Order Fresnel Lens installation October 7, 2007 (dedication May
18, 2008)
The fresnel lens
was custom made by Artworks Florida.
Fresnel lens replicas are manufactured by importing CAD drawings into
computer driven lathes and milling machines. The finished prisms are
assembled into the polished brass frame work. Wood shims are used to
aim the prisms to achieve the proper light pattern. A glazing
compound or lithargeis used for the final mounting of the
prisms in the frame work.
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Artworks
Florida
P.O. Box 470123
Celebration, FL 34747
407.399.0050
artworks-florida.com/
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