Life & Heroism of Ida Lewis Honored at Graveside Ceremony

Saturday, May 24, 2025

Common Burying Ground | Farewell Street, Newport

Ceremony Starts at 1:00 PM

No Reservations Needed | Free Event

The Newport Historical Society, in collaboration with the U.S. Lighthouse Society, U.S. Coast Guard, and U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, will honor the trailblazing heroism of Idawalley (Ida) Zoradia Lewis at a graveside ceremony on Saturday, May 24. Lewis (1842-1911) served as the lighthouse keeper at Light Station Lime Rock in Newport Harbor for over 50 years and is the namesake of the USCGC Ida Lewis and Lewis Drive in Arlington National Cemetery.

Speakers:

• Jeremy D'Entremont, Historian, U.S. Lighthouse Society
• Keynote - Lenore Skomal, Author, The Lighthouse Keeper's Daughter, the Remarkable True Story of American Heroine Ida Lewis
• Chief Warrant Officer Nathaniel Sanchez, Commanding Officer USCGC Ida Lewis 
• Rebecca Bertrand, Executive Director, Newport Historical Society

The commemoration will feature the placement of a bronze U.S. Lighthouse Service grave marker by the crew of the USCGC Ida Lewis. The U.S. Lighthouse Service, originating in 1789, was incorporated into the Coast Guard in 1939.

Named in Lewis’ honor, the USCGC Ida Lewis, a 175 ft. Keeper-class buoy is the lead ship in her class. The cutter maintains 374 aids to navigation from Long Island Sound to Cape Cod.  Deployments also include environmental protection, search and rescue, domestic icebreaking, and maritime security.  Join us in honoring Ida Lewis, the heroine of Light Station Lime Rock. Free parking is available at the Gateway Center, 23 America’s Cup Avenue, Newport, RI.