Celebrate America's most photographed lighthouse with this Portland Head Lighthouse Poster by Swell Scenes. Featuring the iconic white tower and keeper's house perched dramatically on rocky Maine cliffs where waves crash against granite and the Atlantic stretches endlessly eastward, this classic coastal print honors the historic beacon commissioned by George Washington himself in 1791. Perfect for Maine natives, New England coastal lovers, lighthouse collectors, Cape Elizabeth residents, or anyone captivated by maritime history and rugged northeastern shorelines.
Why You'll Love It
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America's Most Iconic Lighthouse: Showcases Portland Head Light—commissioned by George Washington as one of America's first lighthouses, standing sentinel since 1791 on Maine's most dramatic coastline.
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Classic New England Aesthetic: Bold contemporary design with nautical colors captures the timeless beauty of Maine's rocky shores, crashing surf, and lighthouse tradition.
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Perfect Maine Keepsake: Ideal for Maine residents, Portland visitors, New England coast enthusiasts, lighthouse lovers, or anyone who's watched waves break against Cape Elizabeth's granite.
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Versatile Maritime Decor: Brings coastal New England character to homes, cabins, offices, beach houses, or any space celebrating maritime heritage and Atlantic beauty.
About Portland Head Lighthouse
Portland Head Lighthouse, standing 80 feet above the rocky shores of Cape Elizabeth, represents everything romantic about Maine's relationship with the sea. Commissioned by George Washington in 1787 during his presidency under the new Constitution, completed and first lit in January 1791, Portland Head holds the distinction of being Maine's oldest lighthouse and one of America's most historic maritime beacons. The distinctive white conical tower and attached keeper's house sit on a spectacular promontory where the rocky Maine coast meets Casco Bay, creating one of the most photographed lighthouse scenes in the world—especially during storms when Atlantic waves explode against the granite cliffs in spectacular displays of nature's power. The lighthouse was so important to early America that its construction used rubble stone from the local area, and when funds ran short, George Washington personally authorized its completion, recognizing the critical need to guide ships safely past these treacherous rocks into Portland Harbor. For over 230 years, this beacon has guided countless vessels—from colonial merchant ships to modern lobster boats—through fog, storms, and darkness. The surrounding Fort Williams Park, a former military installation, now offers 90 acres of walking paths, rocky beaches perfect for exploring tide pools, and stunning viewpoints where visitors can watch the lighthouse do its ancient work against a backdrop of crashing surf and endless ocean. The keeper's house now serves as a museum operated by the Cape Elizabeth town, preserving maritime history and the stories of lighthouse keepers and their families who lived this isolated but essential life. Maine artist Edward Hopper painted Portland Head in 1927, capturing the stark beauty that continues to draw painters, photographers, and visitors from around the world. The lighthouse has witnessed shipwrecks (including the tragic Annie C. Maguire in 1886, whose anchor still sits near the light), countless rescues, and the evolution of navigational technology from whale oil lamps to modern automated LED beacons. Yet it stands unchanged—white tower against blue sky, red keeper's house roof catching sunlight, granite cliffs below, Atlantic stretching to the horizon. This is quintessential Maine: rugged, historic, beautiful, and enduring. Sunrise at Portland Head transforms the scene into gold and pink magic, while sunset paints the white tower against dramatic evening skies, and foggy days create atmospheric scenes that explain why lighthouses matter. This poster honors Portland Head's place in American maritime history, its enduring beauty as a symbol of Maine's coast, and George Washington's vision that this light would guide sailors home for centuries to come.
Print & Frame Details
- Premium 189gsm matte paper using archival pigment inks
- Framed options include a 0.75″ (1.9 cm) Ayous wood frame in black, white, or natural
- Lightweight Acrylite front protector and hanging hardware included
- Available in multiple sizes, framed or unframed
- Printed to order to reduce waste and support sustainable practices
Thoughtful Craftsmanship
At Swell Scenes, every print is made to order with museum-quality materials. Our lighthouse collection transforms America's historic beacons into bold, contemporary artwork—made to celebrate maritime heritage and honor the lights that guide sailors home.
About Swell Scenes
Swell Scenes turns iconic lighthouses and coastal landmarks into bold, beautiful artwork that fits any space. With a passion for New England shores, maritime history, and places where land meets sea, our posters evoke memories, inspire wanderlust, and bring coastal beauty into your home.
