Ida Lewis Auditorium Opening Ceremony

The opening for the Ida Lewis Auditorium was held here at Coast Guard Training Center Cape May on Oct. 10, 2001. Idawalley Zorada Lewis, called Ida, was born in Newport, Rhode Island on Feb. 25, 1842.

She was the second of four children of Captain Hosea Lewis and Idawalley Zorada (Willey) Lewis. Captain Lewis was appointed keeper of Lime Rock Light in the early 1850's. By the mid-1850's, Captain Lewis suffered a stroke that left him unable to work.

The duties of light keeper fell to his wife, and eventually Ida, who was officially appointed keeper of the light in 1887. During her time on Lime Rock, Ida was credited with saving 18 lives, although some reports claim as high as 25.

Ida accomplished her first rescue when she was 16 and her last rescue when she was 64.

Ida received numerous awards for her rescues. Among the highest being:

• U.S. Life Saving Service Gold Medal


• Massachusetts Humane Society Silver Medal


• American Cross of Honor Society Gold Medal

Ida Lewis, the heroine of "Lime Rock" became known as "The Grace Darling of America". Grace Darling was an English heroine whom made her rescues from the open sea. Until her death in 1911, Ida remained keeper of the Lime Rock Light. Her death was mourned not only by Rhode Island but the entire world.

In 1924, the Rhode Island legislature officially changed the name of Lime Rock to Ida Lewis Rock. Later the Lighthouse Service changed the name of the light to Ida Lewis Lighthouse. This was the only time a lighthouse was named to honor a person.

Program of events for opening ceremony -
Arrival of the Official Party
Musical Honors National Anthem
Introductions - CWO Bill Carson Remarks - CAPT Douglas Wisniewski, Commanding Officer, TRACEN Cape May Remarks - RADM Vivien Crea, Director of Information and Technology/Chief Information Officer
Presentation - MCPO Dave Evans and HS1 Jillynda Williams
Blessing - LCDR Sam Ferretti, Chaplain Corps, U.S. Navy Reserve