Interview with Alex Dias

Alex Dias currently serves as Vice Chairman of the Friends of Pomham Rocks. A lifetime resident of East Providence, Alex Dias has been involved with Pomham Rocks Lighthouse since he was in high school. Friends of Pomham Rocks Lighthouse is a non-profit dedicated to ensuring the historic restoration and preservation of the lighthouse and to improve public awareness, appreciation and access to Pomham Rocks Lighthouse.

1. How did Friends of Pomham Rocks Lighthouse come into existence?

The Pomham Rocks Lighthouse was deactivated in 1974 and sold at auction soon after. The lighthouse remained neglected and was succumbing to the elements. By 2004, the island was overgrown, windows were blown out, and the tower was leaning 7 degrees to the east. It was one good storm away from collapse. The Friends of Pomham Rocks Lighthouse was formed in 2004 by concerned locals who wanted to see the lighthouse restored and preserved.

2. Why did you become involved with the organization?

While in 5th grade, a board member, Dave Kelleher, from the organization came to give a presentation on the lighthouse and its proposed restoration at my school. It sparked an interest and I got to watch the exterior restoration from shore as a child. As a requirement to graduate high school, I had to complete a senior project. The topic was an easy choice - the lighthouse. As part of the project, the organization asked me to create a model of the former Bullocks Point Lighthouse for their future museum once the lighthouse was completed. From there, I got involved with the organization because I wanted to help with the ongoing restoration/preservation of the 1871 lighthouse and to specifically help restore and maintain it as historically accurate as possible.

3. We saw that the interior of the lighthouse recently got a paint job based off of historical imagery, are there any other projects coming up on the horizon for Pomham Rocks?

We are currently working on installing an historically accurate white picket fence on the west side of the island to replace the aging and rusty chain link fence. The south side was completed in 2023, and the north side will be in 2025. Operational shutters have been replicated from 19th century photos of the lighthouse and will be installed this fall. Future projects on the horizon include replacing the 1939 dock and replicating the 1871 dock and boat house lost to the Hurricane of 1938, as well as replicating the original 1871 exterior doors on the lighthouse.

4. How do you suggest getting fellow youth involved in historical/preservation organizations?

I would suggest that it is very rewarding to be apart of something that not only helps preserve history, but is a great way to meet new people with different backgrounds who might teach you new skills you might not have otherwise learned.

5. What is your favorite moment you've had at Pomham Rocks?

My favorite moment has been slowly watching the lighthouse look more and more like the turn of the century photos we have on display in the museum after we complete each project.