Dolly Bicknell is the daughter of a great adventurer, storyteller and lighthouse lover. A Marshfield resident, Bicknell has carried on her father’s legacy and devotes much of her time as President of Project Gurnet and Bug Light, Inc.---a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving, maintaining and restoring Gurnet Light and Keeper’s Cottage and Bug Light. We found out from Dolly just how important these lighthouses are to Duxbury seashore’s historical past.

How did you become involved with Project Gurnet and Bug Lights In 1993, I received a phone call from Dr. Donald Muirhead asking me to join a group that was then called “Project Bug Light.” I believe he called me because he knew that my father was Edward Rowe Snow. (My dad was a storyteller, adventurer, explorer, lecturer, historian and author of 96 books about ghosts, pirates, shipwrecks, buried treasure and lighthouses. He was also the Flying Santa of the Lighthouses—flying over lighthouses at Christmas time and dropping packages for the lighthouse keepers and their families for 44 years. I flew with him for about 20 years.) With that background, Don thought that I might be interested in helping to “Save Bug Light!” He was right.

Project Bug Light was first formed in 1983 when the Coast Guard planned to tear down Duxbury Pier Light (Bug Light), and replace it with a fiberglass pole. A group of concerned citizens (including my father-in-law Alvin Bicknell) banded together, raised money through bake sales, raffles, selling t-shirts and bumper stickers and other fundraising methods. They raised $20,000 and convinced the Coast Guard that the lighthouse was worth saving.  Project Bug Light was given a five-year license to maintain the structure, and volunteers and the Coast Guard worked together to restore the lighthouse. Unfortunately as the years passed, interest waned, the lighthouse was vandalized and Bug Light fell into disrepair again. In 1993, Don Muirhead reorganized the group, and I became involved. We convinced the Coast Guard that it should help us repair and paint Bug Light one more time, and they did.

In 1999 we were given the opportunity to assume responsibility for Gurnet Light (a.k.a. Plymouth Light). At that time we changed the name of our group to Project Gurnet and Bug Lights, Inc. In 2005, we also obtained a license for the Gurnet Light’s Keeper’s Cottage. (Having a license basically means that the Coast Guard still owns the lighthouses and the Keeper’s Cottage, but we are responsible for their upkeep. This is important because at this time the Coast Guard just doesn’t have the funds or the time to take care of lighthouses. The Coast Guard takes care of the aids to navigation—that includes the actual shining light itself, the foghorn, the solar panels and batteries. We try to take care of the rest of the structures and the surrounding area). 

Where does PG&BL get funding?

We are an all-volunteer group that tries to raise funds anyway that we can. We renovated the Keeper’s Cottage in 2006 so that it could provide income as a vacation rental.

We are always looking for donations, and just had a successful Restoration Fund Appeal that enabled us to paint Bug Light after repairing some structural issues. We have an Open House every year during the DBMS’ Opening of the Bay where we shuttle people out to the Gurnet and give tours of the lighthouse and the Keeper’s Cottage. This year it will be held on May 26. On June 10, we will have the Don Muirhead Lighthouse Cruise. The cruise, if the weather permits, takes us within sight of our two lighthouses. We have delicious hors d’oeuvres, and a cash bar. This year one of our newer members, Jen Fallon, came up with the idea of the “Light the Night” friend-raiser/fundraiser, which will take place on April 28. Hosts will provide a dinner for friends, and they will learn more about PG&BL.

What do these lighthouses mean to you?

In 1945 my father wrote the book “Famous Lighthouses of New England.” In it he wrote, “…there is something about a lighted beacon which suggests hope and trust and appeals to the better instincts of all mankind.” I certainly agree. These lighthouses are lighted beacons that not only still guide people, but they also are wonderful symbols of our past.

Where is your favorite lighthouse?

Gurnet Light. I so fondly remember going there when I was a child with my father. I loved the bouncy trip out there—mostly over the beach—before the present road was built.  Years later, my future husband and I went out there on one of our first dates!

How important are these two landmarks to Duxbury’s history?

They are both very important parts of our nautical history. When Gurnet Light was originally built in 1768, it was twin lights—the first twin lights in America. The first female lighthouse keeper was at Gurnet Light—Hanna Thomas in the 1770s. Legend has it that during the Revolutionary War the British frigate Niger fired upon the light, and hit it with a cannonball. If you believe the story, Gurnet Light is the only lighthouse ever to be hit by a cannonball. Gurnet Light is also the oldest wooden lighthouse in America. Bug Light was built in 1871, and is the first cast iron, caisson-style lighthouse in the United States.

How can Duxbury residents get involved?

Please go to buglight.org. There is more information on our Web site. We have many upcoming volunteer opportunities, and of course there is the “Light the Night” fundraiser.

Where can we find you when you’re not devoting your time to PG&BL?

Teaching tennis at the Kingsbury Club where I have been since 1974. Or, riding my bicycle to train for my 27th Pan-Mass Challenge--the 192-mile bicycle ride to benefit Dana-Farber’s Jimmy Fund. At the moment I am the outgoing President of Friends of Cranberry Hospice. We run the Festival of Trees in December to raise money for Cranberry Hospice. I am also on the Board of Hull Lifesaving Museum in Hull. This is not only a museum, but also there are rowing programs for all ages, and an amazing program that helps adjudicated youths from the inner city… Their motto is “Saving lives then. Changing lives now.” You may also find me in my garden.

If you were stranded on a deserted island what are three things you would need to have with you?

Water, sunscreen and a lighthouse would be nice!