Betty Kovalcik (Brown)
Betty Kovalcik (Brown) with her camera, a year before moving to Pine Island.
Brown Family Fonds
Pen Brown
Pen Brown revisiting Pine Island seven years after departure, sitting on a bench that he had built long ago.
Brown Family Fonds
View of Pine Island
Pen and Betty Brown’s first view of Pine Island, where they moved just after marrying.
Brown Family Fonds
1957
Gully at Pine Island
Even during the summer, the landing-place at Pine Island could be a cauldron of waves.
Brown Family Fonds
Lighthouse crew having a beer
Lightkeeper Ted Ranger with work-crew from Coast Guard tender ship, enjoying beer brewed by Pen Brown.
Brown Family Fonds
Garden at Pine Island Light Station
Betty Brown cutting grass below the light tower.
Brown Family Fonds
Vegetable garden at Pine Island Light Station
The Browns developed large vegetable gardens for fresh food. CPR passenger steamers sailed past the lighthouse every week.
Brown Family Fonds
Children work and play at Pine Island Light Station
On a lighthouse, children played by helping with construction, gardening, care of poultry, and other tasks.
Brown Family Fonds
Fuel tank installed
A Coast Guard crew installs fuel tanks for the diesel engines that powered the station’s electrical generator.
Brown Family Fonds
Mom and son work together at Pine Island Light Station
Rex sawing wood with his mother Betty. Work on a lighthouse did not have conventional gender boundaries.
Brown Family Fonds