FAIRPORT HARBOR – A planned series of events will mark a celebration of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
Thes will begin with the return of Friday Night Lights to the Fairport Harbor Historical Society’s Lighthouse Museum, beginning on Friday, June 26.
There will be events each month, with dates still being determined, according to Marty O’Gara, president of the Fairport Harbor Historical Society.
It will be a walkup event with a pair of experienced docents. Visitors will climb the lighthouse steps and take in the exhibits – including a pair of new ones brought in to celebrate America 250.
The museum contains several exhibits related to Great Lakes shipping and navigation as well as local maritime history, such as navigation instruments and charts, the mainmast from the USS Michigan as well as a trove of archival photographs.
The former lighthouse keeper’s residence houses the museum and is attached to the former pilothouse of the Frontenac, a wooden-hulled freighter that once plied the Great Lakes’ waves.
All proceeds will go to the maintenance and restoration needs of the lighthouse. Visitors can walk up; no reservations are required. They can tour the museum and docents will be on hand for questions.
“The Friday Night Lights evening finishes with climbing the 69 steps to take in our ‘towering view,’” O’Gara said. “We try to schedule these on the day of or before a full moon. The gift shop will be open; we have many unique items including our America 250 t-shirt exclusively available at the lighthouse. It is designed by a local artist, Beth Lynne Gregerson.”
“This is a wonderful way to support the lighthouse and spend a pleasant and informative evening,” O’Gara said.
The current lighthouse was constructed in 1871, but the original lighthouse was designed by local architect Jonathan Goldsmith and constructed in 1825, so the property had a working lighthouse from 1825-1925. It was also one of the first lighthouses on Lake Erie and the Great Lakes.
The Fairport Harbor Lighthouse & Marine Museum is located at 129 Second St. in the Village of Fairport Harbor. Visit fairportharborlighthouse.org, email keeper@fairportharborlighthouse.org or call 440-354-4825 for more information.
