Toledo Harbor Lighthouse Preservation Society
The Toledo Harbor Lighthouse Preservation Society (THLPS) is an all volunteer nonprofit organization that seeks to preserve, restore and provide public outreach and access to the lighthouse. The organization has grown to 600 members. THLPS owns the lighthouse and leases the original Toledo Lighthouse lens. THLPS is proud of our accomplishments and our members. Meetings are open to all.
The original light at the Toledo Lighthouse, a 3 1/2 order Fresnel Lens made by Barbier and Bernard, is located at the lodge at Maumee Bay State Park and can be seen anytime. The lens has two bulls eyes and one clam shell. The lit prisms and glass made the light visible up to sixteen miles. The 3.5 order Fresnel lens is one of only three made. The Toledo Lighthouse is one of a kind - very unique architecturally .
The Secretary of the Department of Interior approved the application for the Toledo Harbor Lighthouse Preservation Society (THLPS) to own the lighthouse. On April 25, 2007, THLPS received the the deed and keys to the lighthouse. We are all grateful to those that helped with this lengthy process.
The Toledo Lighthouse Society received two grants to assist with the Restoration Plans and Specifications. Ohio D.N.R. through the Coastal Zone Management Program, provided a two year $48,000 grant for Duket Architects to prepare plans and specification for the lighthouse restoration project. Also, the Ohio Lake Erie Protection Fund awarded $14,900 for this project. The total cost of the project is $102,000. The additional funding was provided from fundraising, memberships and a five year loan.
The restoration will cost an estimated $1.5 million. Restoration Phase is the recipient of a FHWA/ODOT $500,000 grant with a match of $138,000 required. The 'My Lighthouse Window Capital Campaign' is underway. The first phase of the Restoration includes windows, doors, shutters and tucking the brick. Restoration Phase Two is for infrastructure and will include solar power, electrical, plumbing, a wastewater system, and gray water treatment. Restoration Phase Three if for interior work and finishing. Additional grants are being sought to complete restoration.
Once the restoration is complete, two couples will become 'Lighthouse Keepers' that will stay at the lighthouse for some number of days to allow visitors to see the lighthouse from May through October. Members will be given preference to become 'Lighthouse Keepers' and then will be open to the public(through an application process).
A ramp, dock and lift received a grant from the Lake Erie Protection Fund(Marblehead License Plates), Art Iron provided the Platform, and the Toledo Lighthouse Society provided the rest. The access project was completed in October 2008. On April 9, 2009 all was well, On April 11 the dock and ramp were gone along with parts of the lift. The ramp was recovered, the dock never was recovered. A new dock and lift were installed by Meinke's in July 2011. The dock and parts of the lift will be brought on shore for the winter. We hope to installthe ramp in 2013.
In 2007 the Toledo Lighthouse Society won the Excellence Preservation Award from the Landmark's Preservation Council.
You can view the Toledo Lighthouse from the shores of Maumee Bay State Park through a viewer located on the walkway on the east side of the marina in front Of the lodge near the marina.
We hope that you will consider having a lighthouse window in your name, donating/joining the Toledo Harbor Lighthouse Preservation Society, Our major annual event is the Toledo Harbor Lighthouse Festival featuring boat rides around the lighthouse, island music, nautical arts and crafts, food, children's activities and a silent auction. The Toledo Lighthouse Festival is July 6th & 7th 2013.
Phase One Toledo Lighthouse Restoration Grant
Thanks to Lucas County Commissioner Tina Skeldon Wozniak, Pete Gerken, and Carol Contrada for the Lucas County sponsoring the Toledo Harbor Lighthouse Preservation Society's transporation enhancement grant application for rehabilitation, Phase One,ucking brick, wiindows, doors, shutters.
LIGHTHOUSE MEETING
Thurs.
April 25th
on Thursday
at 7:00 pm at the lodge at Maumee Bay State Park.
Get the meeting location at the lodge front desk.
INSIDE TOLEDO LIGHTHOUSE TOURS
The next opportunity to tour the inside of the Toledo Lighthouse will be in 2013. We always schedule tours the weekend of the festival and for the Antique Boat Show. Additional tours may be scheduled. To be notified of tours please email dhalloh@comcast.net - and you will be placed on the Toledo Lighthouse Tour email notifiaction list.
There are 76 steps to the top of the lighthouse - three stories in the homelike part and three stories in the tower. Tours are in small groups of 6 leaving from the marina at Maumee Bay State Park. The tour and boat trip are about one hour. Tour are weather dependent. There must be little to no wind. You must be able to climb a rung ladder, sign a waiver of liability, wear secure shoes and be over sicteen. Canceled trips are posted on the web site.
TOLEDO LIGHTHOUSE MEMBERSHIP
To get updates about the lighthouse restoration and other Toledo lighthouse news, become part of the Toledo Lighthouse family by becoming a member. To become a member please click here. All members of the lighthouse are lighthouse owners who take great pride in being stewards for this historic structure. A membership 'perk' is that members will be offered the first opportunity to stay at the lighthouse when the restoration is complete. The order will be by member seniority.
MY TOLEDO LIGHTHOUSE WINDOW.....
Your very own Toledo Lighthouse window in your name - nearly 25% of the windows are 'sold'. Help restore the lighthouse and forever have a window in your name. There are north, east, south and west view windows on all the floors. Some windows are taken so select a window soon. Email dhalloh@comcast.net for more information. For pricing etc. click here
Toledo Harbor Lighthouse Preservation Society
Toledo Harbor Lighthouse Society, 1750 Park Rd. #2 Toledo, Ohio 43616 419-691-3788 Fax 419-691-2288 sandylakeerie@aol.com
Toledo Lighthouse.....
ABOUT THE TOLEDO LIGHTHOUSE .. stay tuned...history in the making
The Toledo Lighthouse sits on a crib about five miles north off shore from Maumee Bay State Park. The lighthouse marks the Toledo shipping channel where the waters of Lake Erie meet the shallow waters of Maumee Bay.
The Romanesque lighthouse was completed May 23, 1904 and is architecturally unique with buff brick and a rolled edge steel roof. The lighthouse is 4000 sq. ft. and stands 64' high. The boulders were added to three sides of the base in 1989 when the lighthouse was secured by the Army Corps of Engineers.
You can see the lighthouse from a viewer on shore located on the walkway near the marina at the lodge at Maumee Bay State Park..
Click here for 'At the Toledo Lighthouse on tornado Palm Sunday" by former Lighthouse Keeper Tim Mayer
Click here for the Toledo Blade magazine story Click here for Blade story Click here for Toledo Blade editorial.
10th Annual Toledo Lighthouse Festival July 13 & 14th
Maumee Bay State Park Sat. 10-8, Sunday 10-5
Featuring Toledo Synmphony July 13th sponsored by BP
Stay tuned for more great entertainment
Over 50 artists & crafters in the Nautical Village
Largest Festival Silent Auction - over 200 Items
Sandy Castle Contest, Photo Contest..
Great children's activities - arts, crafts and more
Great Festival Foods and more.... www.toledolighthousefestival.org
