Travel in Time with Dan: Fictional Interview with Barzillai Delano, Keeper of Head Light Lighthouse (1796–1820)
Dan: Hello everyone! Today, I’m in Portland, Maine, at the iconic Head Light Lighthouse. I’m thrilled to “sit down” with Barzillai Delano, who kept this lighthouse running from 1796 to 1820. Welcome, Mr. Delano.
Barzillai Delano: Thank you, Dan. It’s good to share the story of this lighthouse. Its light guided sailors safely through these dangerous, rocky waters for decades.
Dan: Let’s start with the beginning. How did you become the lighthouse keeper here?
Barzillai Delano: Head Light was commissioned in 1787 by President George Washington for $750. By the time I arrived in 1796, it had been lighting the way with 16 whale oil lamps. My role was to ensure that light never went out, no matter the weather or the hour.
Dan: That must have been a tough job, especially in Maine winters.
Barzillai Delano: Indeed. Maine’s coastline is treacherous. The storms, the ice, the darkness—it was relentless. But keeping the light shining was essential. Ships depended on it. Lives depended on it. Resilience was not optional; it was necessary.
Dan: You served here for nearly 25 years. Did you see many changes?
Barzillai Delano: The lighthouse itself evolved. New lamps, better lenses—it became more efficient. But the essence of the job remained: vigilance and care. The surrounding city of Portland also changed over the years, rebuilding after fires and growing as a port city. The spirit of the people matched the perseverance needed to keep this light burning.
Dan: I read that Portland’s history itself reflects resilience. Do you see a connection between the lighthouse and the city?
Barzillai Delano: Absolutely. Just as the lighthouse stands firm against storms, the city has risen from destruction multiple times—the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, even the fires after the Civil War. People here are committed to rebuilding, to guiding themselves and others forward. It’s a lesson in enduring hardships.
Dan: And what about the modern significance of this lighthouse?
Barzillai Delano: Today, the light is automated, and the lighthouse serves as a museum. But its legacy lives on. Every visitor who sees the light, every sailor guided safely, remembers the centuries of care, vigilance, and resilience that kept this beacon shining. That’s leadership in its simplest and truest form.
Dan: Powerful insight, Mr. Delano. Any final thoughts for people visiting Maine or aspiring leaders?
Barzillai Delano: Leadership requires consistency, courage, and resilience. Whether keeping a light burning or guiding a city through hard times, commitment and care make all the difference. And remember, the most challenging places often produce the strongest leaders.
Dan: Thank you so much, Barzillai Delano. It’s been an honor learning from you today.
Barzillai Delano: May your journeys always find light in the darkness, Dan.
