were painted black in 1887; this was altered in 1914 and again in 1916, each time bringing the black at the top further down the tower until the illustrated configuration was reached. In 1967 the entire tower was repainted with a white base and a gray top. The gray faded severely and was painted black in 1970. In 1999 a major restoration project was begun under the auspices of the Tybee Island Historical Society, who took possession of the light station in 2002 under the National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act. As part of this project the tower was repainted in the 1916–1966 black-white-black daymark. The beacon is still a functioning navigational aid, still using its original lens. The site is open to the public and retains its keepers houses and auxiliary buildings as well as the lighthouse tower. Images See also Battle of Fort Pulaski References External links Tybee Island Light Station and Museum Tybee Lighthouse historical marker Lighthouses completed in 1736 Towers completed in 1736 Lighthouses completed in 1742 Towers completed in 1742 Lighthouses completed in 1773 Towers completed in 1773 Lighthouses completed in 1822 Lighthouses in Georgia (U.S. state) Buildings and structures in Chatham County, Georgia Museums in Chatham County, Georgia 1736 establishments in the Thirteen Colonies