The history of light keeping on the site of Navesink Twin Lights dates back to the American Revolutionary War, when a whale oil lamp was maintained on the site. The first twin light houses were built on the site in 1828 of blue stone. In 1841, the first Fresnel lenses used in the United States were installed. The complex was completely rebuilt in brick and sandstone circa 1862. In 1898, an electric generator building was constructed, making the lights the first in the US with their own source of electricity and, at the time, the most powerful lights in the United States. Local farmers complained that the bright lights kept their cows awake at night, and the animals refused to give milk in the morning. In 1899, the first Marconi wireless telegraph in the US was erected at the site. In 1949, the station was decommissioned by the US Coast Guard. The property was transferred to the Borough of Highlands in 1954, and in 1962, was transferred to the State of New Jersey.   

The 2023 Trust grant will help fund the first phase of their viewshed restoration, including the installation of fencing around the site, invasive treatments, and water sown seeding.

The 2021 Trust grant will help fund a Historic Viewshed Management Plan for Navesink Twin Lights historic site.