The Twin Lights Museum has reopened after three years of renovations. COURTESY OF TWIN LIGHTS HISTORICAL SOCIETY After three years of renovations and installation of a new exhibit, the Twin Lights Museum has reopened in Highlands. Historic flags and patriotic artifacts are among the notable items in the new multimedia exhibit, entitled Seeing Stars: Every Flag Tells a Story.
Mark Stewart, a trustee and spokesman for the Twin Lights Historical Society, said the national landmark lighthouse reopened in mid-September. The museum’s historical society is made up of a friends group that promotes, preserves and protects the culture and history of the site, Stewart said.
“It turned from a funky, old 1980s museum into a completely modern, interactive nice museum,” he said.
Mary Jo Kenny, president of the Twin Lights Historical Society, said it is a fabulous historic site.
“Not only is it amazing for the state of New Jersey, but for our country as a whole as well,” she said. “It is recognized as a national landmark.”
“September 11” by Jamie Wyeth is part of the “Seeing Stars: Every Flag Tells a Story” exhibit at the Twin Lights Museum. Stewart said the Twin Light Museum is owned by the state of New Jersey, but the Twin Lights Historical Society owns all of the historical artifacts and new collections. He said this relationship enabled the society to move forward with the renovations.
“The re-imagined Twin Lights Museum features four separate galleries with $2 million worth of antique flags and patriotic artifacts dating back two centuries. State-of-the art lighting and multiple video screens provide an immersive experience,” according to a press release.
Stewart said the Seeing Stars exhibit tells the story of the United States’ history and celebrates the spring day in April 1893 when the Pledge of Allegiance was introduced as the national oath of loyalty during a ceremony in front of the lighthouse.
“If you think about the American flag, because you add a star every time you add a state, every flag tells a story,” he said. “It promotes the fact that the Pledge of Allegiance was said there for the first time as the national oath of loyalty. That is a big deal.”
“In addition to the 20-plus rare flags on display are two important paintings and two stunning examples of American folk art. The Twin Lights Museum is the new (temporary) home of ‘September 11’ by Jamie Wyeth — who was inspired to create the mixed-media work by a visit to the World Trade Center site after 9/11. Also on display is ‘Our Banner in the Sky,’ an iconic painting by Frederic Church, done in the early days of the Civil War. The Seeing Stars exhibit features a painted four-foot figure of Uncle Sam made for the 1876 Centennial, and an exquisite eagle carved by John Haley Bellamy, whose works have sold at auction for more than a half-million dollars,” according to the press release.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE LIGHTS HISTORICAL SOCIETY Stewart said it took the Twin Lights Historical Society three years to put the museum together. He said the state was originally very happy to fund the project, but after Hurricane Sandy hit, there was no longer funding in place.
“A week after getting the OK from the state for our museum, Hurricane Sandy hit and there was no longer money for us,” he said. “We funded the project ourselves, and it could be the best small museum in New Jersey right now.”
Kenny said the Twin Lights is a great place to experience because of its location.
“It is located high on the hills, which are unusual along the coast, and it is located at one of the highest points on the east coast of North America,” she said.
Major artifact contributors to the exhibit are Dr. Peter Keim of Texas and Richard Pierce of New Jersey, both noted authors, historians and collectors, according to the press release. Other key contributors include the Monmouth County Historical Association, Monmouth University and several private collectors.
Stewart said the Twin Lights location features a beautiful view of New York City and the Atlantic Ocean. He said it is a place where people go and have a great experience.
“When you walk into the exhibit, it is absolutely jaw-dropping to see all of this stuff together in one place,” Stewart said. “It is hard to really put into words without seeing for yourself.”
Kenny said the Twin Lights is a great place to experience for both adults and children.
“It is a thrilling place for adults because of the technological advances there, but also for the kids because it is exciting for little boys and girls to witness everything it offers,” she said. “It is not just a wonderful revamp of a museum, it is also a wonderful place to visit and have a picnic.”
Seeing Stars at the Twin Lights Museum will run through the fall of 2016. Stewart said the exhibit is open Wednesday through Sunday all winter from 10 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m. He said it is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. seven days a week between Memorial Day and Labor Day.
According to the press release, the new additions and renovations are expected to increase attendance at the lighthouse by an estimated 40,000 visitors during that time. This will pump additional funds into the local economy, which is still recovering from 2012’s superstorm Sandy.
For more information regarding the new Seeing Stars exhibit, visit www.twinlightslighthouse.com or call the Twin Lights at 732-872- 1814.
The Twin Lights are under the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Parks and Forestry Division and managed by the Twin Lights Historical Society, according to the website.