PINEY POINT, Md. — Winners of the Piney Point Lighthouse Museum and Historic Park’s 2025 Building Blocks Lighthouse Challenge were announced Jan. 5, 2026, following a holiday season competition that blended local history with hands-on creativity.
The popular-vote contest recognized Liam Reeb, 14, of La Plata, a student at Milton Somers Elementary School, and Jacob Meander, 12, of Tall Timbers, who attends Dynard Elementary School, for their interlocking brick lighthouse designs inspired by Piney Point Light, the oldest lighthouse on the Potomac River.
The challenge was hosted by the Friends of St. Clement’s Island & Piney Point Museums, the nonprofit organization supporting the St. Mary’s County Museum Division. Participants were invited to construct original lighthouse models using only interlocking building bricks, with no kits or electronic components permitted. Entries were limited in size and required to be displayed on a sturdy base.
Models were submitted between Nov. 22 and Nov. 28, 2025, and placed on public display from Nov. 29 through Jan. 4, allowing museum visitors to vote during regular hours and special events, including Evening Tides and the Piney Point Holiday Open House. Winners were selected entirely by popular vote.
“To really celebrate Piney Point Lighthouse during the holidays, we thought making this competition a yearly occurrence would be a fantastic way to get families and the community involved,” said Karen Stone, manager of the St. Mary’s County Museum Division. “What’s even more fun is that everyone will be able to see their creations on display at the museum.”
Voting was included with museum admission, with additional ballots available for purchase in the museum store to benefit the site. Winners in each age category received a $25 Amazon gift card and recognition as top lighthouse builders for 2025.
Museum officials said community participation and voter turnout remained strong throughout the exhibit’s run, contributing to a close final tally.
Planning is already underway for the third annual Interlocking Building Brick Lighthouse Challenge in 2026, which will expand to four categories: ages 0–12, ages 13–25, ages 26–99, and a new Family Build group.
For more information about the contest, holiday events, or Piney Point Lighthouse Museum, please call (301) 994-1471 or visit www.Facebook.com/1836Light.
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