Volume 2, Issue 11 - November 2024 | |
|
Greetings Friends,
As the season shifts, I’m excited to share updates that reflect our collective passion for the Chicago Harbor Lighthouse and Chicago’s rich maritime heritage. This month’s newsletter brings a fantastic lineup of stories highlighting our efforts to preserve history and celebrate the communities rallying around it.
| |
|
|
First, we have the Chicago Maritime Museum’s fundraiser, an event designed to support and expand the museum’s educational outreach and preservation of local maritime artifacts. Their commitment to honoring the Great Lakes’ history directly resonates with our mission to celebrate and share the legacy of our lighthouse. I encourage everyone to consider supporting the Chicago Maritime Museum by becoming a member and visiting this beautiful museum.
We were also thrilled to have attended Landmarks Illinois’ Driehaus Awards, where historic preservation and architectural excellence took center stage. Being part of a community that values and protects our heritage is inspiring and reminds us of the importance of our restoration goals. The Driehaus Awards represent a commitment to preserving the stories embedded within our cityscape, and we’re proud to contribute to that legacy.
On a different note, don’t miss out on the upcoming opening of Pilot Island & Her Keepers at the Den Theater in Bucktown this month. This play captures the spirit and challenges of lighthouse keeping in a way that will surely resonate with anyone passionate about maritime history. Supporting local artists as they bring lighthouse lore to life connects us to the heart of what we aim to preserve.
Lastly, mark your calendars for Giving Tuesday on December 3, 2024, as we look toward December. We’ll unveil a special opportunity to help us further our mission to preserve, restore, and celebrate the Chicago Harbor Lighthouse. It’s an ideal moment to reflect on the impact of your support and share our journey with friends, family, and anyone who believes in safeguarding our maritime heritage.
Thank you for your unwavering dedication and enthusiasm as we work together to ensure the Chicago Harbor Lighthouse remains a beacon of history and community for generations to come.
Be Safe and Be Well.
Regards,
Kurt Lentsch
Chief Dreamer and President
| |
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. | |
|
|
|
Even a small donation could help
Friends of the Chicago Harbor Lighthouse
reach our fundraising goal.
And if you are unable to make a monetary donation at this time, we ask if you could please share the fundraiser information, to help our cause.
| | | |
|
Your contributions enable us to offset the start-up costs for the Friends of the Chicago Harbor Lighthouse and begin the preservation and restoration work that is greatly needed on this historic place... 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
| |
Friends of the Chicago Harbor Lighthouse Board Supports Chicago Maritime Museum | |
FOCHL Board Members, Kurt Lentsch, Steve Clements and Nick Naber, pictured with Mary Ann O'Rourke, CMM Communications Director | |
|
The Chicago Maritime Museum, situated in the Bridgeport Arts Center along the South Branch of the Chicago River, celebrates Chicago's rich and influential maritime heritage. The museum highlights the city's waterways, including the Chicago River, Lake Michigan, and the Great Lakes—crucial elements that powered Chicago’s rise as a major trading and transportation hub.
The FOCHL Board is proud to support this impactful organization and holds its work in high esteem. Over the years, the museum has built an impressive collection of artifacts, curated informative and interactive exhibits, and developed a substantial research library. It also offers engaging educational programs and tours that captivate both students and families, all within its spacious and thoughtfully designed 10,000-square-foot facility.
On October 24th, we had the pleasure of supporting the museum at its annual CMM Festival, held both in-person and online. The event was a lively evening of food, drinks, music, games, and, most importantly, fundraising to continue advancing the museum’s mission.
| |
The FOCHL-themed basket was a hit at the raffle | |
|
High-quality museums require substantial funding to stay relevant and engage meaningfully with the public—far beyond what can be covered through entrance fees alone. The Chicago Maritime Museum is no exception. Their annual fundraising event is one of several initiatives to support their mission, and this year, they successfully met their goal of raising $100,000 in contributions.
As a supporter of the Chicago Harbor Lighthouse, which is aligned with our mission, you may also enjoy visiting and supporting the Chicago Maritime Museum. To learn more about this incredible organization and to make a donation, please visit https://www.chicagomaritimemuseum.org/donate. By the way, a donation of $35 or more grants you membership in the museum, including unlimited free admission—a fantastic value!
| |
Celebrating Preservation: Landmarks Illinois’ Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Preservation Awards Ceremony | |
|
Kurt and Dena Lentsch, FOCHL
Ward Miller, Preservation Chicago
Edward Torrez and Andrea Terry ARDA Design
| |
|
On Friday, October 18th, the historic Apollo’s 2000 Theatre celebrated as Landmarks Illinois hosted its annual Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Preservation Awards Ceremony. Presided over by Landmarks Illinois President and CEO Bonnie McDonald, the event recognized nine exceptional projects for their achievements in Rehabilitation and Adaptive Use throughout the state.
These awards highlight the incredible dedication and talent involved in preserving Illinois’ historic sites. Each project embodies the spirit of revitalization and honors the legacy of our state's architectural treasures. Projects celebrated this year were diverse, reflecting efforts in urban and rural areas alike, from adaptive reuse in Chicago to meticulous restorations in small-town Illinois. The evening provided inspiring examples of how communities come together to breathe new life into historic sites, preserving them for future generations.
| |
Ed Torrez of ARDA Design and Kurt Lentsch | |
We envision a similar moment in the future for our own Chicago Harbor Lighthouse. Through the support of our members, donors, and advocates, our restoration efforts will preserve this landmark and ready it for future awards and recognition. With your help, we can bring the Chicago Harbor Lighthouse back to its glory, ensuring it stands as a beacon of history and pride for Chicagoans and visitors alike. | |
|
Play About Lighthouse Keepers to Debut in Chicago
by Mary Ann O'Rourke
| |
For hundreds of years, lighthouses throughout the world have evoked a strong sense of both safety and solitude. While their beaming light serves as a beacon for seafarers, lighthouse keepers often endure months of isolation and seclusion.
The life and lore of the keeper is the subject of the world premier play, Pilot Island & Her Keepers, written and produced by The Impostors Theatre Company and opening at the Den Theater in Bucktown on November 8.
Intrigued by the story of a Great Lakes lighthouse, Friends of the Chicago Harbor Lighthouse reached out to The Impostors Theatre Company to discuss the genesis, themes, and production plans for the play. I sat down with the company's artistic director, Stefan Roseen, on a sunny October afternoon in Andersonville.
"A few years ago, my uncle who lives in Door County, took my wife and I out to the deserted Pilot Island," says Stefan. "We were mesmerized by the ghostly aura of the lighthouse. It almost looked burned out, but the scorch marks were actually acidity from seagull waste. Despite the structure's decay, you could almost feel the lingering spirits of its keepers."
|  | |
Written by Stefan's wife, Kayle Belec, a co-founder of The Impostors Theatre Co., along with Stefan, the play explores the history of an abandoned lighthouse on a deserted island in Door County through its past residents. Pilot Island lies in the middle of the southern opening of the Porte des Morts (Death's Door) passage off the tip of the Door Peninsula. Considered one of the most dangerous passages on the Great Lakes with its swirling currents and howling winds, Death's Door has swallowed up more than 250 ships over the years.
The Pilot Island Light, built in 1858, and now on the National Register of Historic Places, hasn't had a keeper since 1962, when an automatic light was installed in the tower. But for well over a hundred years, the lighthouse hosted a number of faithful and reluctant keepers. The play dramatizes real-life keeper's stories from 1858 to around 1910, as researched by Kayla.
"This is really a play about storytelling," says Stefan. "The lighthouse provides the perfect vehicle for projecting human emotions such as loneliness, compassion, and endurance, through years of family lore passed down by real Pilot Island keepers."
The play projects the lore of the lighthouse through seven true but dramatized stories from its keepers including: a young pair of immigrants with no lighthouse keeping experience, a beloved pet becoming an unlikely martyr, and a keeper who saved enough lives to create a legacy.
A group of volunteers from Friends of the Chicago Harbor Lighthouse will attend opening night on November 8.
"Friends of the Chicago Harbor Lighthouse is happy to support the world premiere production of Pilot Island & Her Keepers,” says FOCHL president, Kurt Lentsch. "We join The Impostors Theatre Company to honor the lore of the keeper as we work to preserve, restore, and celebrate our Chicago Harbor Lighthouse."
The world premiere of Pilot Island & Her Keepers runs at 7:30 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays and 3 p.m. Sundays from Nov. 8 to 23 at The Den Theatre, 1331 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago. Reserved seats are $25, general admission is $20, with discounts for groups of 10 or more. For tickets or more information, visit theimpostorstheatre.com or thedentheatre.com.
| |
|
Support the Chicago Harbor Lighthouse: End-of-Year Giving Opportunities!
As we approach the end of the year, we want to take a moment to express our heartfelt gratitude for the incredible support from donors like you. Your generosity has brought us closer to our goal of preserving and celebrating the historic Chicago Harbor Lighthouse.
We are excited to announce that the Friends of the Chicago Harbor Lighthouse can now accept stock donations, making it easier and more advantageous for you to contribute to our mission. Donating stock can offer significant tax benefits while ensuring the lighthouse remains a beacon of history and community pride.
Your support is vital, whether you’re passionate about preserving this historic landmark or committed to enhancing public access and educational programs. Here are several ways you can contribute:
One-Time Gifts: Make a meaningful impact with a one-time donation that helps us reach new milestones in our fundraising efforts.
Recurring Monthly Donations: Spread your generosity throughout the year with manageable monthly contributions.
Employer Matching: Many employers offer matching gift programs—check to see if yours will double or even triple your contribution!
In-Kind Donations: Support our restoration efforts with materials, supplies, or expertise.
Legacy Gifts: Include us in your estate plans to leave a lasting legacy for future generations.
As you consider your end-of-year charitable contributions, we invite you to include the Friends of the Chicago Harbor Lighthouse in your giving plans. Together, we can create a brighter future for this cherished Chicago icon.
For more information, please visit www.SaveTheLighthouse.org/donate
| |
|
Mark your calendars!
On Tuesday, December 3, 2024, we invite you to join us for a very special Giving Tuesday. This global day of giving presents a unique opportunity to support our Mission to Preserve, Restore, and Celebrate the Chicago Harbor Lighthouse.
Stay tuned for exciting details on how you can participate and make a meaningful impact. Your generosity will help us continue the vital work of safeguarding this iconic piece of Chicago’s maritime heritage for future generations. Together, we can light the way forward!
Save the date and be ready to join us on this important day!
| |
|
FOCHL Online Store is Live!
Exciting news! The Friends of the Chicago Harbor Lighthouse (FOCHL) Online Store is now live! Be sure to check out our fun new t-shirt design and pick up some extra pins and stickers to share with your friends and family. All proceeds from the FOCHL Online Store support our mission to Preserve, Restore, and Celebrate the Chicago Harbor Lighthouse. Visit www.SaveTheLighthouse.org/store today and show your support!
| |
Book a Save The Lighthouse Presentation | |
|
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.
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.
Speakers Kurt Lentsch, President, FCHL and Edward Torrez, Preservation Architect, have engaged audiences throughout the city for many months with their thoughtful and inspiring presentations on the CHL.
| |
Volunteer Your Time and Talent | |
Photo credit: Barry Butler | |
|
We need your help. 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're 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 fundraising (especially grant writing), construction, and community outreach, helping us build and maintain our connections to local and national organizations.
| |
Some of the talented volunteers, who are building this dream. | |
Copyright © 2024 Friends of the Chicago Harbor Lighthouse - All Rights Reserved. | | | | |
