Toledo Harbor Lighthouse
Preservation Society
Welcomes Your Visit to Our Web Site
The Toledo Harbor Lighthouse Preservation SocietyTHLPS) is an all volunteer nonprofit organization that seeks to preserve, restore and provide public outreach and access to the lighthouse. The organization has gown in five short years to over 300 members and now owns the lighthouse and leases the original lens to the lighthouse. 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 prisms and glass with light made the light visible up to sixteen miles. It is one of three lights of its kind. The Toledo Lighthouse is one of a kind - very unique architecturally . The Toledo Lighthouse Society welcomes the lens moving closer to home.
The Toledo Lighthouse Society is the recent recipient of two grants that will pave the way for beginning the lighthouse restoration. In addition, in 2007 the Toledo Lighthouse Society won the Excellence Preservation Award from the Landmark's Preservation Council.
The Secretary of the Department of Interior approved the application for the Toledo Harbor Lighthouse Preservation Society (THLPS) to own the lighthouse. THLPS now has the deed and keys to the lighthouse. We are all grateful to those that helped with this lengthy process.
Ohio D.N.R. through the Coastal Zone Management Program, provided a two year $48,000 grant for plans and specification for the lighthouse restoration project. Plans and specs will be done by Duket Porter. The Ohio Lake Erie Protection Fund just awarded the Toledo Lighthouse Society $14,900 for this project also. The total cost of the project is $102,000. Additional grants will be sought for this project that is starting now. Memberships and festival funds will also be used to pay for this work.
A ramp, dock and lift are ready to be installed. The Lake Erie Protection fund provided a grant and the Toledo Lighthouse Society is providing for the remaining funding. All items are purchased and installation work continues.
Please buy a Lake Erie license plate to support the grants that the Toledo Lighthouse Society benefits from. You can still purchase a Toledo Lighthouse license plate - or Marblehead one. These funds have helped the Toledo lighthouse and help Lake Erie. Your support would be appreciated.
You can view the Toledo Lighthouse from the shores of Maumee Bay State Park on most days. Binoculars are recommended.
We hope that you will consider 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, fireworks, food, children's activities and a silent auction. There is also a Christmas Gathering Thursday, December 4th.
The Toledo Lighthouse Festival is July 11 and 12, 2009.
Toledo Harbor Lighthouse Preservation Society
TOLEDO LIGHTHOUSE FRESNEL LENS
MAUMEE BAY STATE PARK LODGE
The Fresnel Lens was moved to Maumee Bay State Park Lodge May 13, 2008 and is located in the main lobby.
Jim Woodward moved the lens from the lighthouse in 1995 and moved it again from COSI in 2008.
The lens was enclosed in glass as required by the Coast Guard July 2, 2008.
Thanks to all who voted for the
Toledo Lighthouse Jeld-Wen Windows...
Maybe next time
Thanks to everyone who put so much effort into getting votes for windows and doors for the Toledo Lighthouse. Toledo did not make the top three still under consideration.
Lighthouse Festival
The 5th annual Toledo Lighthouse Festival is at Maumee Bay State Park. Saturday July 12 10-8 with fireworks following Bonker's Beachboys performance Saturday evening. See nautically themed arts and crafts, enjoy the sand castle contest, take a boat ride out to the lighthouse, listen to island music, enjoy festival food, check out the silent auction, see the lighthouse photo contest, vote for the best clam chowder Saturday afternoon. Hear for the first time live in the area, the Toledo Lighthouse song, 'The Lady of Old Maumee Bay' written and sung by Lee Murdock. For more information click on the 'festival button.' Click here for fest flier.
Festival 2008 .....A Success
Thanks to all those who attended the festival - thanks to all the volunteers - thanks to the sponsors. Rains threatened during the day Saturday but only drops fell. The winds on Sunday halted the late afternoon boat trips.
The Bonker's concert and fireworks were watched by thousands. Lee Murdock sang the Toledo Lighthouse song - available on cd and the Toledo School for Performing Arts Steel Drum group drew a good crowd. The arts and crafts were wonderful. The Silent Auction was a huge success.
All in all it was a great festival -- thanks to all that participated.
The 2009 festival will be July 11 and 12. Hold the date....
Sarah - the phantom
of the Toledo Light
.
