Women in Transportation History: Sally Snowman, Lighthouse Keeper

For two decades, Sally Snowman served as the keeper of Boston Light on Little Brewster Island at the entrance to Boston Harbor. When she retired from the position on December 30, 2023, Snowman – 72 years old at the time – had the distinction of being the last official lighthouse keeper in the United States.

Snowman, who grew up in the vicinity of Boston Harbor, first visited Little Brewster Island when she was 10. She received a B.S. at Bridgewater State College (now Bridgewater State University) in Massachusetts and a master’s degree in education at Curry College in the Bay State town of Milton. During her subsequent career as a teacher, Snowman earned a doctorate in neurolinguistics from Walden University. In addition, she was involved with the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Auxiliary (USCG’s civilian volunteer component) for 30 years. This formal affiliation with USCG set the stage for Snowman’s role as a keeper at Boston Light.   

When the original version of this structure first went into service in 1716, it was the first lighthouse built in what is now the United States. The original Boston Light remained in operation until 1776, when British troops destroyed the structure before evacuating the region. In 1783, the Massachusetts legislature authorized funding for a new lighthouse to be constructed at that same location on the island. This replacement lighthouse continues to function today as a major navigational aid for vessels traveling to and from the Port of Boston.

“The Coast Guard maintains the light, which is now automated, and the foghorn,” noted National Public Radio (NPR) correspondent Tovia Smith during an interview with Snowman at the time of this keeper’s retirement in 2023. “But looking after the rest, from cleaning cobwebs and bugs from the tower and the boathouse to mowing the grass, became Snowman’s job when she was hired in 2003 to be Boston Light’s 70th caretaker.” Smith added, “She’s also the first woman on the job and known for dressing in period costume.”

Snowman, for her part, took time during this NPR interview to highlight what she enjoyed most about her many years at Boston Light. “Seeing the far expanse of the universe, the sunrises, the sunsets — they are phenomenal,” said Snowman. “To me, they were never the same twice. The sea was never the same twice. The cloud cover was never the same. It was like dying and going to heaven.” (The accompanying photo of Snowman attired in period costume and lowering the American flag at Boston Light was taken on the evening of August 8, 2016.)

Photo Credit: U.S. Coast Guard

For more information on Sally Snowman, please check out  https://www.npr.org/2023/12/26/1221706725/the-nations-last-official-lighthouse-keeper-retires-this-week and https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2023/11/06/the-last-lighthouse-keeper-in-america