About Us

Meet the Keeper - Nick Korstad

Nick has an incredible passion for maritime history, and is committed to preserving the rich heritage of our coastal lighthouses for future generations.

He assumed ownership of Browns Head Lighthouse in November 2023, and is currently working on the restoration of the property. He is also the keeper and owner of Big Bay Point Lighthouse in Michigan, which he has been restoring since 2018.

Prior to purchasing Big Bay Point Lighthouse, Nick bought and restored Borden Flats Lighthouse and was featured in Coastal Living, Nightly News with Lester Holt, and HGTV's 'You Live in What?'

In between lighthouse restoration projects Nick also volunteers his time as President of the American Lighthouse Foundation.

History of Vinalhaven

Vinalhaven is part of a group of islands referred to as the Fox Islands, after the gray foxes that once lived there in abundance. Vinalhaven Island lies about 13 miles from Rockland and used to be known for its rich resource of granite quarries. It was also known for its lobster beds and still contains one of the largest beds in the world.

Brown's Head lighthouse was built in 1832 to help guide mariners and passenger ships through the western entrance to what are now called the Fox Islands Thorofare. Originally constructed of rubble rock in 1832, the current lighthouse tower was rebuilt using bricks and mortar on the ledge foundation where it is today. The first lighthouse keeper was M. A. Wooster and all keepers after him raised their single families to live at the site.

In 1987, Browns Head Light was among the last lighthouses in Maine to be automated.