She Would Have Liked our Espresso

We don’t know whether she was a coffee drinker (based on her accomplishments we are led but to one conclusion), but we do know Ida Lewis was something else.  This native Newporter spent almost half her life living and working on Lime Rock on the southern side of Newport’s inner harbor, which was accessible only by rowboat at the time. During her tenure as caretaker then keeper of Lime Rock Lighthouse, she was credited with saving 18 lives.  Her heroism earned her national fame and recognition, and the lighthouse station was renamed in her honor – the only time that a lighthouse keeper has been so honored in American history.  In 1928 the lighthouse became the club house for a yacht club, which also bears her name.

So check out her story, and the next time you find yourself at the Coffee Grinder you can pretend you see Ida Lewis rowing away in her wooden boat as she readies herself for another day of work. We’re pretty sure she’d be sipping espresso.