TIA was formed in 1980 to raise funds for the island and not burden the Town tax rate.
1985 - Designed and built the Thacher Island launch and donated it to the Town .
1989 - Donated funds to restore the North Tower.

Since 1994 TIA has raised over $1,500,000 for restoration and maintenance of the island and it's historic structures.

Since 2001 TIA has raised over $14,000 from rental and camping fees all turned over to the Town's General Fund.
2000 - Donated $140,000 toward the restoration of the island boat ramp in 2000.
2001 - Initiated the National Historic Landmark designation which has enabled us to win many more historical restoration grants.
2001 - Restored the Assistant Keeper house.

2002 - Established weekly work crews every Wednesday providing over 3000 man/hours each summer 2002.
* Established a 30 place camp site for visitors 2003.
* Restored the Principal Keeper house in 2003-2007 and gave it to the Town.
* Donation of a Gem Car electric cart for transportation around the island 2004.
* Purchased a new hydraulic boat winch for the boat house in 2005.
* Installed solar electric power grid to replace the submarine electric cable in 2006.
* Added Solar power the North Tower light in 2006.
* Volunteers re-roofed the boat house, utility house and whistle house 2006.
* Volunteers built a shed dormer for the oil house for equipment storage 2007.
* Volunteers rebuilt 5 porches on the keeper houses 2002-2007.
* Donated new Zodiac boat to Town for keeper use 2008.
* South Tower major restoration in 2008.
* Volunteers built a generator shed next to the South tower 2008.
* Volunteer keeper internship program instituted to live and work on the island and welcome over 3000 visitors annually 2008.
* Whistle House restoration 2006-2010.
* New 16kw generator donated to island and utility shed prepared by volunteers 2009.
* The cistern was rescreened and new water pump and pipe system installed 2009.
* New Museum and Visitor Center established in the Principal Keeper house 2009.
* Volunteers have tripled the number of weekly boat trips to the island in the summer free of charge to the public.
* TIA has over 750 members 450 of whom live in the Rockport/Gloucester area.

New book on Thacher Island just published May 2010

Paul St.Germain is the President of the Thacher Island Association, a nonprofit volunteer organization. He has been a Rockport resident for15 years and can see the island from his home. With assistance from the Sandy Bay Historical Society, he has put together a revealing record and a fascinating pictorial history of this fabled island.
Thacher Island was named for Anthony Thacher, who in 1635 lost his four children and other family members in a shipwreck during the most severe storm ever to hit the Massachusetts coast. Only Anthony and his wife Elizabeth survived. The lighthouses have played an important role in several wars, including the Revolutionary War and World War I and II, when the navy established a radio compass station to protect the coast from enemy submarines. A ship bearing a U.S. president almost wrecked on Thacher Island, the island was used as a witness protection site for a Mafia criminal. Twin Lights of Thacher Island, Cape Ann captures the history, adventures, and intimate stories from over 200 years of lighthouse keepers living on the island, including how the two towers were built and how scientific discoveries were applied to improve the lights over the years.
Arcadia Publishing has added this book to its Images of America series which celebrates the history of neighborhoods, towns, and cities across the country. Using archival photographs, each present the distinctive stories from the past that shape the character of the community today.
Proceeds from the sale of this book go to the Thacher Island Association for their restoration efforts.
128 pages with 200 vintage photographs, many never seen before.
Price: $22.00

Thacher Island History Article

Article published in the United States Lighthouse Society publication The Keeper's Log. Full color cover of aerial of the island and 12 page story includes many photos and drawings. $7.00

Polar Fleece Jackets
Warm,14.5oz. fleece, non-pill, zippered front and hand warmer pockets, elastic waist and sleeves,standup collar with embroidered
Thacher Island Twin Lights symbol.

Available in Red, Navy Blue, or Charcoal Gray.

Sizes S, M, L, XL, XXL.
$48.00

Compare at $65.00 elsewhere.

Drift Wood Bird Houses of Thacher Island
These primitive bird houses are created primarily from driftwood found in the coves and beaches of Thacher Island in Rockport, Massachusetts. The ocean, sun and storms have worn and shaped these pieces which have been fitted to accommodate the state in which they were found. As a result no two bird houses are crafted the same. In reality the cracks and small gaps in the construction provide ventilation necessary for the tenants.
The opening of this bird house is 1 1/8 inches and will accommodate wrens or chickadees.
Each house has a removable screw in the bottom, middle of the back to facilitate cleaning.

Built and designed by local Rockport resident Ken Perry. Ken and his wife Garie have been members of the Association for many years. Their house looks out across Loblolly Cove on to Thacher. Ken comes out to the island every summer to collect driftwood for his unique bird houses.
Each Bird House is unique and one of a kind!

$50.00 ea, plus shipping