Fannie M. Salter, the Foremost Lighthouse Keeper
Thu, Aug 06
|Mathews Memorial Library
Hear the inspiring story of Fannie M. Salter, who served with distinction for twenty-two years as the principal keeper of Turkey Point Lighthouse. Free lecture by Benn Trask -Historian & Author
Time & Location
Aug 06, 2026, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Mathews Memorial Library, 251 Main St, Mathews, VA 23109, USA
About the event
Mathews Memorial Library, in partnership with Mathews County Historical Society, will host a lecture by historian Benjamin H. Trask on “Fannie M. Salter, the Foremost Lighthouse Keeper from Mathews County” on Thursday, August 6, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. at the library on Main Street in Mathews.
From 1820 to 1971, more than one hundred residents of Mathews County served as lighthouse keepers. Noteworthy among this group was Fannie M. Salter, who received her appointment directly from President Calvin Coolidge and served twenty-two years as the principal keeper at Turkey Point Lighthouse. Mr. Trask will discuss her career and connection to the scores of light keepers from Mathews County.
Benn Trask, noted historian, educator, Marine Corps veteran, librarian and museum curator is the author of numerous books including academic works on the Virginia Civil War regimental histories series and lighthouses of southeastern Virginia. Trask holds Bachelor and Master degrees from Virginia…