Guide to the Ida Lewis papers, 1893, 1936
Redwood Library and Athenaeum
50 Bellevue Avenue
Newport, RI 02840
Tel: (401) 847-0292
Fax: (401) 841-5680
email: redwood@redwoodlibrary.org
Published in 2013
Collection Overview
| Title: | Ida Lewis papers |
| Date range: | 1893, 1936 |
| Creator: | Lewis, Ida, 1842-1911 |
| Extent: | 0.01 linear feet (1 folder) |
| Abstract: | This collection consists of one letter from Ida Lewis (1842-1911), notable lighthouse keeper of Newport, Rhode Island, to Miss Elen F. Finlay. A newspaper clipping regarding Lewis is also included. |
| Language of materials: | English |
| Repository: | Redwood Library and Athenaeum |
| Collection number: | RLC.Ms.522 |
Scope & content
This collection consists of a letter from Ida Lewis to Miss Elen [sic] F. Finlay on April 1, 1893, in which Lewis answers Finlay’s questions about her job as lighthouse keeper. Also included is a newspaper clipping from the St. Petersburg Times on January 8, 1936, regarding Ida Lewis and her career.Access Points
Subject Names Subject Topics Subject Topics Document TypesArrangement
This collection is arranged in chronological order.
Biographical note
Idawalley Zoradia Lewis (1842-1911), better known as Ida Lewis, was the second child born to Captain Hosea (1804-1872) and Idawalley Zoradia (Willey) Lewis (d. 1879) on February 25, 1842, in Newport, Rhode Island. Captain Lewis was appointed the first keeper of the Lime Rock Lighthouse in the Newport harbor in 1854, but after he was disabled by a stroke in 1857, Ida and her mother took over the lighthouse keeper duties until his death in 1872. Ida’s mother was then named lighthouse keeper and remained in the position until her death in 1879, even though Ida continued to do the majority of the work. On January 21, 1879, Ida was officially appointed to the job by the United States Coast Guard. Ida proudly served in this position until her own death in 1911 during which time she was credited with saving eighteen lives, receiving numerous accolade and medals. Ida Lewis died on October 25, 1911, after keeping vigil at the Lime Rock Lighthouse for over fifty years.In 1924, the Lime Rock Lighthouse was renamed the Ida Lewis Lighthouse and was in active service until 1927. The lighthouse is now the home of the Ida Lewis Yacht Club.
Access & Use
| Access to the collection: | Access is open to members and researchers at the Redwood Library and Athenaeum. |
| Use of the materials: | This collection is owned by the Redwood Library and Athenaeum. Permission to publish materials must be obtained in writing from the Special Collections Librarian of the Redwood Library and Athenaeum. |
| Preferred citation: | Ida Lewis papers, RLC.Ms.522, Redwood Library and Athenaeum. |
| Contact information: | Redwood Library and Athenaeum 50 Bellevue Avenue Newport, RI 02840 Tel: (401) 847-0292 Fax: (401) 841-5680 email: redwood@redwoodlibrary.org |
Administrative Information
| ABOUT THE COLLECTION | |
| Acquisition: | Gift of Miss Elen F. Finlay. |
| Processing information: | This collection was initially processed by Aimee Saunders in 2010. |
| ABOUT THE FINDING AID | |
| Author: | Finding aid prepared by Elizabeth Delmage. |
| Encoding: | Finding aid encoded by Elizabeth Delmage 2013 September 20 |
| Descriptive rules: | Finding aid based on Describing Archives: A Content Standard (DACS) |
| Sponsor: | Funding for processing and cataloging this collection was provided by the van Beuren Charitable Foundation. |
Additional Information
| Bibliography: |
Inventory
| Manuscripts Box 1 | Letter to Miss Elen F. Finlay |
1893 Apr 1 |
| Newspaper clipping |
1936 Jan 8 |