J. Nally & Company specializes in historic restoration, lighthouse work, fine stonework and coastal masonry across Massachusetts' North Shore and the New England coast.
Martin J. "Marty" Nally learned masonry from his father, a mason who came over from Ireland. With more than 30 years in historic restoration and about 20 lighthouse projects for the U.S. Coast Guard, his work can be found on landmark homes, coastal structures and lighthouses throughout New England.
Period-correct materials and traditional methods, with the same care for a 19th-century lighthouse tower or the stone wall at the end of your drive.
01
Lighthouse & Maritime Restoration
Restoration of lighthouse towers, keepers' houses and coastal structures, including work for the U.S. Coast Guard.
02
Historic Restoration
Preservation of period homes, estates and landmarks using lime mortar and matched stone and brick.
03
Seawalls & Marine Masonry
Seawalls, jetties and waterfront stonework built and repaired to stand up to tide, storm surge and salt.
04
Stone Walls
Dry-laid and mortared fieldstone and granite walls, built new or rebuilt to match what's been there for a century.
05
Chimneys & Fireplaces
Chimney rebuilds, crown repair and flashing, plus custom stone and brick fireplaces built to draw well and last.
06
Repointing & Repair
Proper repointing, foundation repair and stone replacement that stops water damage without harming old masonry.
07
Patios, Steps & Walkways
Granite steps, bluestone patios and cobblestone drives designed for coastal weather.
08
Masonry Investigations
Condition assessments of failing walls, towers and foundations for owners, architects and preservation groups.
Selected work · A rare specialty
Restoring the lights that guard the coast.
Few masons are trusted with a lighthouse. These towers take salt, ice, wind and constant freeze-thaw, and restoring them takes engineering judgment, historical accuracy and hand skill. Some jobs meant replacing thousands of bricks by hand; one meant flying materials out to an island by helicopter.
01Essex Heritage · 2025
Bakers Island Light Station
Salem, Massachusetts
Restoration of the island light station, including full interior repointing of the tower and rebuilding three chimneys on the keepers' houses.
022000
Annisquam Harbor Light
Gloucester, Massachusetts
Brick tower restoration at the mouth of the Annisquam River, with roughly 3,000 bricks replaced by hand.
03Site supervisor
Point Judith Light
Narragansett, Rhode Island
U.S. Coast Guard restoration of a soft brownstone tower, one of the most demanding materials on the coast to restore.
04Site supervisor
Brant Point Light
Nantucket, Massachusetts
U.S. Coast Guard restoration of one of the most recognizable lights in New England.
Plus more than a dozen other lighthouse projects for the U.S. Coast Guard and preservation organizations.
A craft learned from his father.Marty Nally · On site
The Nally story
Old-school craft, done the right way.
Martin J. "Marty" Nally learned masonry from his father, a mason who came over from Ireland.
Over more than 30 years he has become the preservation mason New England calls when the work matters: about 20 lighthouse projects for the U.S. Coast Guard, landmark homes in Beverly Farms and Manchester-by-the-Sea, and old walls and seawalls across Cape Ann.
His work has been featured in The Boston Globe and Northshore Magazine, and he still leads restoration work today, including the 2025 Bakers Island Light project for Essex Heritage.
Every job still gets the same thing: hands-on craftsmanship, respect for old stone, and work built to last another hundred years.
Based inManchester-by-the-Sea, MA
Experience30+ years
SpecialtyHistoric & lighthouse restoration
AlsoSeawalls & investigations
Marty NallyPreservation Mason
In the press
“You have to use your brain. If you don't, you're going to get in trouble.
Marty Nally · The Boston Globe, 2018
Marty always wanted to do it the right way. He didn't take shortcuts.U.S. Coast Guard inspector · Northshore Magazine
The Boston Globe
Northshore Magazine
Lighthouse Digest
Essex Heritage
U.S. Coast Guard
How we work
Clear communication. Careful work.
Straightforward from the first site visit to the final stone.
STEP 01
Site visit
We walk the property with you, look at the existing masonry and talk through what you want.
STEP 02
Honest assessment
A clear explanation of what's needed and what isn't, with a written proposal.
STEP 03
Craftsmanship
Traditional methods and matched materials, with Marty on site.
STEP 04
Built to last
Work that holds up to coastal New England weather for generations.
Service area
Rooted on the North Shore.
Based in Manchester-by-the-Sea and serving Cape Ann and the North Shore. For significant restoration and lighthouse work, we travel throughout New England.
Manchester-by-the-Sea
Gloucester
Beverly Farms
Rockport
Prides Crossing
Essex
Ipswich
Hamilton & Wenham
Beverly & Salem
Marblehead
Primary service area
Careers
Join the crew.
We're always looking for hardworking people who take pride in their work. Experienced or just starting out, if you want to learn real restoration masonry on some of the most historic structures in New England, we'd like to hear from you.
Experienced MasonStone, brick and restoration work. Lime mortar and repointing experience is a plus.
Mason Tender / LaborerMixing, staging, hauling and site work. A good way into the trade.
ApprenticeNo experience needed. Show up on time, work hard and want to learn, and we'll teach you.
Request an estimate
Let's talk about what you're building, or preserving.
Tell us a little about the work and we'll set up a time to come see it. Historic restoration, a stone wall or a difficult coastal repair: we'd be glad to hear about it.
