3 minute read
2024 Q2 Newsletter
What’s Happening at Eagle Bluff Light Station
The Lighthouse Committee and Structures Subcommittee have been working diligently on several exciting projects at Eagle Bluff.
Restoration
In 2019, the DCHS commissioned a detailed Historic Structure Report (HSR) of the light station, providing a roadmap for restoring the existing structures. The first stage of restoration is immediate stabilization. This involves restoration of the lantern room, repair and painting of windows, doors and trim, brick replacement and repair, foundation repair & cleaning, tower interior repair, cleaning & painting, spiral stair repair, wall repair in the house and basement, some exterior ground work, and a variety of other tasks.
We have contracted with National Restoration, Inc. of Milford, Michigan, to perform the restoration. The 2021 Recipient of the Governor’s Award for Historic Preservation, John Fletcher and his team have restored 25% of the lighthouses in Michigan; several of these which are considered “sister” lighthouses to Eagle Bluff. We plan to start this restoration in mid-April of this year.
Electricity
Did you know that there has never been electricity at the lighthouse? Last season we used a small solarrechargeable power supply, which powered our iPhone, iPad, credit card device, and internet connection, along with lighting in the gift shop and basement. Our goal is to have electricity throughout the lighthouse to brighten cloudy days and also for future environmental control.
We are currently working with Wisconsin Public Service (WPS) to provide electric service to the lighthouse, and a local electrician to wire the inside of the lighthouse.
The WPS portion will be buried underground from the Weborg Campground to the lighthouse and is expected to cost about $140,000. Even though we do not receive any financial assistance from the state, we still must collaborate with Peninsula State Park, WI DNR, the State Historic Preservation Office, and WPS. We are hopeful that our dream of bringing electricity to the lighthouse will become a reality early this summer.
Barn and Summer Kitchen
History tells us that during the time period the Duclon family was in residence at the lighthouse, there was a small barn and summer kitchen on site. Another goal of the committee is to rebuild this barn and summer kitchen.
The barn will become our visitor center and gift shop, which will enable us to properly interpret the current gift shop as the winter kitchen. Adding the barn will give us a larger visitor area, as well as a variety of displays to allow those unable to enter the lighthouse to experience and learn about maritime history. We have contracted with an architect and are waiting for complete plans, as well as DNR approval.
