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6/16/2025
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Carson sponsors House resolution recognizing Ida Lewis
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Newport’s heroic light keeper to be honored by National Lighthouse Museum
STATE HOUSE – The House of Representatives has passed a resolution introduced by Rep. Lauren H. Carson celebrating the recognition of Newport heroine Ida Lewis by the National Lighthouse Museum with its Past Light Keeper Award.
Ida Lewis (1842-1911) became known as the “Bravest Woman in America,” for saving at least 18 lives, although probably more, in the waters of Newport Harbor beginning when she was just 12 years old. In 1857 she and her family moved to what was then called Lime Rock Light House with her father, who was the light keeper, but when he fell ill just a few months after their move, Ida and her mother took over care of the light. She would tend the light for the rest of her life, being appointed the official light keeper herself in 1879.
Her incredible strength as swimmer and rower and her fearlessness enabled her to make many daring rescues, and her heroism was covered by the national media, making her the best-known lighthouse keeper of her time and the subject of popular songs, thousands of visits to the lighthouse annually by dignitaries and tourists, awards, fan mail and marriage proposals from strangers. In 1881 she became the first woman to earn the rare Gold Lifesaving Medal from the U.S. government for her rescue of two soldiers from Fort Adams who had fallen through ice. She served as light keeper at Lime Rock until her death at age 69, making her last lifesaving rescue when she was 63. The rock, the lighthouse and the yacht club now located there all bear her name.
The resolution (2025-H 6412) passed June 12 honors the Past Light Keeper Award being bestowed upon Lewis for her heroism Aug. 1 by the National Lighthouse Museum in Staten Island, NY, at the museum’s annual gala.
“Ida Lewis was a luminary of her time who proved how strong and brave a woman could be. She became an icon of the women’s rights movement, and her memory will always serve as a point of pride for Newport,” said Representative Carson (D-Dist. 75, Newport).
For more information, contact:
Meredyth R. Whitty, Publicist
State House Room 20
Providence, RI 02903
(401) 222-1923
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