It’s that time of year when attention turns toward the holidays, the weather takes a sharp turn at winter, and people begin to assess their accomplishments over the past 12 months. So in the spirit of an end of the year review, I thought you’d like to read a summary of everything that was accomplished at the lighthouse in 2014.
To kick off the summer season, we held the third Birthday Open House on June 7th with over 300 people coming through to peak at the inside. Begun in 2012, this annual event is designed to commemorate the date the light was first lit -- June 9, 1925 -- and has grown each year. The evening prior to the Open House was a private “Twin Lights” tour conducted with the Fairport Harbor Lighthouse and Marine Museum, which hosted over 30 people. The next Birthday Open House, slated for Saturday, June 6, 2015, should be very popular as we’ll be celebrating the lighthouse’s 90th Birthday.
From then on it was full steam ahead with the renovations, which included a lot more painting. The original hardwood floors on the 2nd floor were refinished in July and despite years of wear, some water damage, a few coats of paint, a sticky linoleum-type surface and subfloor, the original 2” maple planks were stripped bare, repaired with reclaimed maple pieces, sanded and stained a rich chocolate brown. In addition, a new 3 ft wooden inlay of a nautical compass was installed as a focal point in the landing area and positioned “true north,” to ensure an authentic maritime feel.
Once the hardwood floors on the 2nd story were finished, all the remaining furniture was moved in – including bedframes, mattresses, a desk, chairs and period armoires that act as closets in the bedrooms. The furniture placement meant decoration could begin, so choice knickknacks and specially selected items have found their new homes. Likewise, with the painting mainly finished on the main floor and upstairs, pictures were hung on the walls.
But, yes, more painting was needed (and done) on the lower basement level and the upper service level. Both of these rather tired areas now have bright white paint and accents of battleship gray and black. The laundry room on the main level may have seen the greatest transformation with a new coat of white paint and newly-installed bright red metal shelves hanging above the washer and dryer that are stocked with red and white striped beach towels eager for next summer to begin.
It’s been a busy year of renovations with more on the agenda for 2015. Many people ask when the renovations will be completed. Truthfully, I’m not sure they will ever be as there always seems to be something to do. Running water and functioning bathrooms will really be a turning point in the restoration, but until then, work continues. Thankfully, with the help of many fabulous volunteers, kind visitors, and generous donors, 2014 saw great strides in the process to restore this amazing structure and welcome people from NE Ohio and beyond to share in its history.
