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The Nauset Lantern Shop was established 47 years ago on historic Route 6A on Cape Cod in Orleans, MA. In almost half a century we have not lost sight of our original mission: to faithfully create copper, brass and pewter reproductions of Early American, Colonial, Onion and Nautical Marine lighting fixtures.

Our store on historic Route 6A on Cape Cod

To enter our shop is to travel back to a time where you will see hand tools and hand-operated machinery more than a century old. Using templates and patterns originally designed and used to handcraft oil and candle fired lanterns, we ensure our present day, hand-made lanterns are true and loyal to the enduring style and lasting quality of their ancestors.

The hand-operated equipment and crafting process we use, is the same as that of our forefathers. Flat sheets of copper, brass or pewter, are cut using those century-old templates as guides. Those sheets are folded, beaded and ridged all by hand. Even the hinges, latches and handles are hand-crafted in those old ways. .

The personal and traditional handcrafting process continues at the soldering station (above), and particular attention is paid to hand-fitting each piece of the lantern in assembly to ensure its long-lasting quality. Soldering skills developed since the founding of our Shop forge strong joints with a minimum of exposed solder. These acquired skills include the expertise to "blind" solder many joints; this process takes longer but results in a lantern that will stand the test of time.

The Mark of Excellence

Our master craftsmen and coppersmiths take great pride in their work, and it shows in each and every lantern they hand craft. The pride in their workmanship manifests when they affix an individually numbered name plate to each finished lantern.

It is this pride in our craftsmanship that allows The Nauset Lantern Shop to guarantee your complete satisfaction with your lantern.