Ashtabula Lighthouse Starts Restoration Work
By Sue Clark on May 25, 2008 in Restoration 
Print This Post
Society Receives $15,000 Grant
Sometimes, the first step in restoration and preservation needs to be a totally unrelated one to the actual lighthouse. Such as gaining access to the lighthouse. A lot of our beacons have been built in hard to get at places, and such is the case with the Ashtabula (Ohio) Lighthouse. Although it’s connected to land, the only access is a rocky breakwall. That’s not conducive to hauling out paint, ladders, etc. So with that in mind, the first step the Ashtabula Lighthouse Restoration and Preservation Society is taking is to use the grant money to purchase and install a floating access dock and ramp.
According to a story at the Star Beacon, the dock will be U-shaped with a multi-level gangway that floats with the rising waves. and will be built on the sheltered, west side of the lighthouse. This system will provide easy access to those working on the restoration of the building, as well as future workers and visitors.
License Plate Sales Fund Grant
The money comes from the sale of lighthouse license plates in Ohio. Ohio is one of several states that sell specialized license plates to raise money for various efforts. Their plate money goes to the Lake Erie Protection Fund, which dispenses grants to organizations. Their goal is improving the water quality, eliminating pollution, and providing clean harbors and boating and fishing access for Lake Erie. The plate is actually the Lake Erie specialty plate, and features the beautiful Marblehead Lighthouse.
Other states that have specialty plates featuring lighthouses include Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, North Carolina, Virginia, and soon, Florida.
Funding Hard To Come By
With the $15,000 in hand, The Society contracted with Con-O-Lift Floating Dock Systems to install the dock, at a cost of $35,000. The group still needs $20,000 to fully fund the work, and that’s just the beginning. The small band of volunteers spent most of the winter meeting and filling out grant applications, to Lowe’s, First Energy, and contacted other grant writers and foundations for applications. So far, the only one that provided any funding was the Lake Erie Commission.
The Treasurer of the Society, Debbie Santiana, says they have enough money in their accont to cover the full amount, but it would clean them out. Members are worried the withdrawal would place an undue hardship on the group. Anyone willing to help can visit their website and purchase some merchandise from them, or donate directly. Or if you’re near Ashtabula on July 26, attend their fish fry fundraiser.
Photo credit: Ashtabula Lighthouse by jacrabit4.
Keep up with Lighthouse News. Get articles by 
Email or in a 
Reader.
