Volume 2, Issue 2 - February 2024 | |
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Dear Friends of the Chicago Harbor Lighthouse,
As we usher in February, a month when love and history intertwine, I am delighted to share a special message commemorating the anniversary of a significant milestone in our journey together. On a crisp February day in 2022, precisely on the 15th, I had our inaugural meeting with the visionary Edward Torrez at his company's office.
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Little did we know that this meeting would become a defining moment, marking the birth of what we proudly call the Friends of the Chicago Harbor Lighthouse. In the heart of Chicago, in Bauer LaToza Studio's Michigan Avenue conference room, with a view of our beloved lighthouse in the distance, a shared passion for preserving our maritime heritage brought us together.
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A meeting I expected to last 20 minutes quickly turned into an hour-long conversation about the history of the Chicago Harbor Lighthouse, its current condition and challenges, and the potential opportunities a restored lighthouse would create.
Over the past 24 months, our journey has been nothing short of remarkable.
Standing tall and proud for over 130 years at the doorstep of the Chicago Harbor, the Chicago Harbor Lighthouse and its beacon symbolize our combined efforts, which have breathed new life into this iconic structure, bringing newfound interest and attention to its existence and current conditions and fostering a community dedicated to Preserve, Restore and Celebrate its enduring legacy.
May the light of the Chicago Harbor Lighthouse guide us through another year filled with shared purpose and unwavering commitment.
Regards,
Kurt Lentsch
Chief Dreamer and President,
Friends of the Chicago Harbor Lighthouse
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If you are part of an organization that has an interest in financially supporting our efforts to Preserve, Restore, and Celebrate the Chicago Harbor Lighthouse, please reach out to Nick Naber (nicknaber@savethelighthouse.org), our treasurer and a member of our fundraising working group. | |
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Even a small donation could help
Friends of the Chicago Harbor Lighthouse
reach our fundraising goal.
And if you can't make a donation, it would be great if you could share the fundraiser to help spread the word.
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Your contribution will enable us to offset the start-up costs for the
Friends of the Chicago Harbor Lighthouse
and begin the work of preservation and restoration...
We are very grateful for your generosity.
The Friends of the Chicago Harbor Lighthouse is a 501c3 organization
so please make a tax-deductible gift to help us Save the Lighthouse!
www.SaveTheLighthouse.org
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If you are part of a group of 25 or more interested in learning more
about the history of our lighthouse and our efforts, please contact
Steve Clements (steveclements@savethelighthouse.org)
to discuss the possibility of scheduling a presentation for your group.
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Friends of the Chicago Harbor Lighthouse Submits Application to Acquire the Chicago Harbor Lighthouse | |
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As was shared in the December newsletter, The National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act (NHLPA) provides an application and approval process resulting in the transfer of ownership of historic lighthouses to eligible nonprofit corporations such as Friends of the Chicago Harbor Lighthouse (FOCHL).
FOCHL is excited to share that after months of dialog with NPS and the City of Chicago, in late December their NHLPA application was submitted to the National Parks Service (NPS) for their consideration. The application lays out the history and a description of the structure and documentation to support the historical significance of the Chicago Harbor Lighthouse to the city, the region, and the country.
Most important consideration is given by the NPS to the portion of the detailing the FOCHL’s Master Plan for the lighthouse. This section includes the Preservation Plan, a Maintenance Plan, along with the Use Plan, which details how the facility will be opened to the public and the types of programming that will be offered. From an administrative perspective, the Master Plan also includes a Financial plan and the Management Plan detailing how FOCHL will organize itself to execute their plans.
NPS will review the application, seek clarifications and revisions where needed, to be sure that the approved FOCHL application conforms to the requirements of the NHLPA.
The FOCHL Board and volunteers are thrilled to have completed the research and planning required to have reached this crucial milestone. The entire application is a lengthy document of more than 120 pages. The information, plans, ideas, concepts, and dreams expressed in the application will be shared with the public when the application is approved and the real work to Preserve, Restore and Celebrate the Chicago Harbor Lighthouse begins.
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Below is the Executive Summary of the Friends of the Chicago Harbor Lighthouse NHLPA Application.
Executive Summary
This comprehensive Application and Master Plan submitted by Friends of the Chicago Harbor Lighthouse presents an in-depth analysis and a forward-thinking vision for the Chicago Harbor Lighthouse. It encapsulates the lighthouse’s rich history, current status, and future developmental strategies.
Historical Context:
The Chicago Harbor Lighthouse stands as Chicago's sole remaining beacon and is one of only two left in Illinois. Constructed in 1893, it remains as the principal aid to navigation at the entrance to Chicago Harbor — a critical junction within the nation's maritime transit system, connecting the East Coast, the Great Lakes, and the Gulf Coast.
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In 1918, amidst the Chicago Harbor breakwater renovations, the lighthouse found its new home where it presently stands, complete with an adjoining fog-signal chamber and a boathouse. Its profound influence on Chicago's evolution is immortalized in the "Spirit of the Waters" sculpture at the entrance to Chicago’s City Hall. Presently, its sharp white tower, nestled between two crimson-roofed structures, serves as a distinctive landmark east of Navy Pier, continuing to guide vessels into the harbor. Sadly, maintenance has been deferred for far too long, and the structure is suffering from exposure to wave and weather conditions given its location one mile off-shore. Deterioration is accelerating with the impacts of climate change.
Master Plan Key Highlights:
Preservation and Restoration: The Master Plan prioritizes the preservation and complete restoration of the lighthouse, recognizing its historical and cultural importance.
Public Accessibility: A core component of the plan is enhancing public access and interaction with the lighthouse, including museum and interpretive spaces.
Education and Community Outreach: Education and community engagement are integral to the plan, with initiatives to increase student, local, and tourist involvement in understanding, appreciating, and preserving Chicago’s maritime heritage.
Funding and Partnerships: The plan outlines strategies for funding and collaboration with both public and private funding sources to ensure the successful implementation of the Master Plan.
Strategic Vision:
The Master Plan aims to transform the Chicago Harbor Lighthouse into a vibrant, accessible, cultural and historic landmark; offering spaces that interpret the period of significance.
It seeks to educate and inspire both current and future generations about the significance of the lighthouse and Chicago's maritime history by establishing the Lighthouse as a “classroom on the water.”
The Plan also envisions the development of a shore-side museum, allowing for a higher level of accessibility and year-round engagement.
In summary, the Friends of the Chicago Harbor Lighthouse Application and Master Plan for the Chicago Harbor Lighthouse is a well-rounded blueprint to protect and celebrate a key piece of Chicago’s history and to create an interactive, educational, and environmentally conscious future for the landmark.
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We are pleased to invite you to one of our upcoming presentations of
Chicago Harbor Lighthouse – Past, Present and Future
Speakers:
Kurt Lentsch, Chief Dreamer, President, FCHL
Edward Torrez, AIA, NCARB, Preservation Architect
(R.S.V.P. info forthcoming)
- Friday, February 16, 2024 - Columbia Yacht Club
- Saturday, March 23, 2024 - Crowley's Yacht-A-Palooza
- Tuesday, March 26, 2024 - Northwest Sailing Association
- Wednesday, April 3, 2024 - Chicago Yacht Club
- Wednesday, April 24, 2024 - Metropolitan Club
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Lighthouses are an invaluable part of America’s maritime heritage. The beginning of Chicago Harbor Lighthouse was constructed in 1893 during the World’s Columbian Exposition, held in Chicago’s Jackson Park. The Lighthouse was originally built further north than its current location in 1893, then moved in 1917 to its final spot, at the end of the breakwater near the mouth of the Chicago Harbor.
The Lighthouse was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on July 19, 1984, and a Chicago Landmark on April 9, 2001. In 2009, the City of Chicago took over ownership of the Lighthouse from the General Services Administration (GSA), facilitated by the 2000 National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act.
These presentations will discuss the Lighthouse’s rich history, present condition, and future plans to celebrate and share with the public, its significance to the legacy of Chicago history. We hope you can join us.
If you are part of a group of 25 or more interested in learning more about the history of our lighthouse and our efforts, please contact Steve Clements (steveclements@savethelighthouse.org to discuss the possibility of scheduling a presentation for your group.
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Thank you, Yachting in Chicago for your cover story on our efforts to
preserve, restore, and celebrate the Chicago Harbor Lighthouse!
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VOLUNTEER YOUR TIME AND TALENT | |
Photo credit: Barry Butler | |
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We need your help, and we are asking you to volunteer and join us in our mission to save the Chicago Harbor Lighthouse and keep its legacy alive for generations to come.
We are a passionate organization dedicated to preserving, restoring, and celebrating the historic Chicago Harbor Lighthouse for future generations. Our mission would not be possible without the help of dedicated volunteers who share our passion and commitment to this iconic landmark.
As a volunteer with Friends of the Chicago Harbor Lighthouse, you will have the opportunity to gain valuable experience, meet new people, and make a meaningful impact in preserving a historic Chicago landmark that is cherished by our city.
If you are interested in donating your talents and joining our team, please visit our volunteer page at savethelighthouse.org/volunteer to learn more.
Currently, we are seeking talented and experienced part-time volunteers to assist us in the areas of fundraising (especially grant writing), construction, and community outreach to help us build and maintain our connections to local and national organizations.
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Some of the talented volunteers, who are building this dream. | |
Copyright © 2023 Friends of the Chicago Harbor Lighthouse - All Rights Reserved. | | | | |
