The East Point Lighthouse sits at the end of a two-mile road that cuts through a seemingly endless marsh. It feels remote, but that is one of its charms. Monarch butterflies dance among the swaying reeds during their late summer migration. But its remoteness may also be its peril as preservationists believe state officials have given up on maintaining it. The lighthouse used to be open to the public, welcoming visitors to one of Cumberland County’s most important landmarks — it is the second oldest lighthouse in New Jersey.Last year, members of the Maurice River Historical Society, the building’s longtime caretakers, cleaned out the historical artifacts inside and handed over the keys to officials at the Department of Environmental Protection. The historic building has been locked shut ever since. Read Full Story |