NAHANT — A coastal landmark with more than a century of history is getting a fresh look as restoration work continues on the Nahant Life-Saving Station, where crews are replacing its aging roof with distinctive red shingles.
Originally established in 1900 by the United States Life-Saving Service, the station later came under the control of the United States Coast Guard in 1915. It operated for more than six decades before being decommissioned in 1964.
Since then, the property has transitioned from an active rescue outpost into a community-centered space, eventually being transferred to the Town of Nahant in 1999. Its historical significance was formally recognized when it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2012.
Situated along a narrow causeway connecting Nahant to the mainland near Cape Ann, the station stands as a prominent example of early maritime architecture. The main building, designed by Victor Mendeleff, features a two-story wood-frame structure in the Shingle style, complete with a square tower and expansive dormered roof. A secondary equipment building, added in 1938, reflects Colonial Revival design elements.
Now, more than a century after its construction, the structure has been undergoing critical repairs, most visibly, the installation of a new red roof.
“The last shingles were put in, I believe, 2002,” Emily Potts, president of the Nahant Preservation Trust, stated. “They had…lived their life, and it was time to redo it.”
The project was prompted by the deteriorating condition of the existing shingles, according to Potts.
“It’s in such a vulnerable area,” Potts said. “And so subject to wind and salt…it gets pretty bad down there.”
The restoration process itself has been extensive.
According to Lynne Spencer, Chair of the Nahant Community Preservation Committee, the project was a two-part process.
She explained that the first step came when “the town meeting approved the community preservation grant for the replacement of the wood shingle roof” in May 2025.
At the same time, the Nahant Preservation Trust secured additional funding through a Massachusetts Preservation Projects Fund grant, meaning “there were 2 sources of funding and 2 sources of review.”
Plans then underwent a formal review and bidding process, with strict oversight due to the building’s historic designation.
Potts noted, “We had to… provide what materials we would use and how it would be done,” adding that regulators are “pretty stringent… because the building is on the historical register.”
Renovations began in mid-March, though progress has been slowed at times by weather conditions typical of the New England coast.
The decision to restore the roof in red also reflects the station’s historical identity.
Spencer explained that when the Coast Guard took over in 1915, they “proceeded to paint all of their buildings, white, with green trim, and bright red roofs,” serving as “a very visual indication… of this is a life saving station.”
Beyond the construction process, both officials emphasized the deeper significance of the building.
Spencer described the life-saving station as “kind of an emblem of the town,” reflecting Nahant’s longstanding relationship with the sea.
She pointed to the area’s maritime history, noting that numerous shipwrecks occurred off the coast, including an 1898 where “7 sailors… died and they actually washed up on the beach at Short Beach,” a tragedy that ultimately helped prompt the creation of the station.
Potts echoed the building’s broader meaning to the community, saying, “We are surrounded by water… This building was established to protect anyone at sea.”
Over time, she added, the station has become more than a historic site. It’s a visual icon and gathering place. Generations of residents have grown up with it as a backdrop, while today it hosts weddings, celebrations, and community events.
Despite the complexity, the goal is clear: preserve both the structure and its legacy.
Work is expected to be completed around Memorial Day, marking not just the end of renovations, but a renewed chapter for one of Nahant’s most enduring landmarks.
