We boarded our boat at 7:30 am for the 30 minute trip to Smith Island where we transferred to a small Boston Whaler that was piloted by Richard Ayers, Island Programs Coordinator of The Nature Conservancy.
After a damp landing and a 10 minute walk we arrived at the  keeper's quarters.  Here we received at talk on the history of the island and the light by Barry Truitt, Director of Science & Stewardship of The Nature Conservancy. 
Then it was off to climb the lighthouse.
The tower is 191 feet to the top of the lantern with the upper part painted black and the lower part painted white. 
A view looking down from inside the tower
A view looking up the tower.
A view of the current lens.
The original first order Fresnel lens is in the Mariners' Museum in Newport News, VA.

Then it was a 3 mile walk down the beach to be picked up by the Boston Whaler and a return trip to the larger boat for the cruise back to where a our cars were left.
It was a great trip and the Chapter hopes to do it again in the near future.

For more information about the Volunteer Preservation Program