News and views, and history and humor, about the lake I love.

"I can hear my granddad's stories of the storms out on Lake Erie, where vessels and cargos and fortunes, and sailors' lives were lost." ~ James Taylor, Millworker

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Lighthouse Festival worth checking out


One day each October the Marblehead Peninsula is alive with the sights and sounds of the Lighthouse Festival. That day is this Saturday, October 8th. Three separate locations on the peninsula will feature activities of one kind or another.

Tours of the Marblehead Lighthouse will be given to guests on the day of the festival between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. for a nominal charge of $2. Built in 1821, the Marblehead Lighthouse the second oldest lighthouse on the Great Lakes and the oldest in continuous operation on the Great Lakes.

Another center of activity will be the Wolcott House, perhaps better known as the Keeper's House. It is the oldest home in Ottawa County and home to the first three Marblehead Lighthouse keepers. The 1820s stone home at 9999 East Bayshore Road will be open for tours, as will the museum/gift shop and cemetery from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Ottawa County Historical Society purchased the house in 1989 and formed a Keeper's House Committee with the goal of restoring the property to as close to its original appearance as possible. Most of this work have been completed including replacing the roof with an historically accurate style, shoring of the north east corner of the building, complete restoration of the east and repair of the west fireplaces, and repairing portions of the floor. Several years after the purchase, the house was placed on the National Register of Historic Places

Tracie Henson, of Strings of Glory, will perform there between noon and 2 p.m. Hot bean soup, corn bread and cold cider will be available for a donation on the grounds, as will a small farmers' market. The Keeper's House fundraiser raffle drawing will be at 3 p.m. Prize items include a framed and signed print by Ben Richmond, Holiday Hearth; a sterling silver lighthouse pendant and chain from G.S.E. Jewelers; and a Heritage Design king quilt and shams and a John Deere canister set from Martha and Molly's. Tickets are available for purchase from any OCHS member, at Martha and Molly's, at the Marblehead Bank on 269, or at the Keeper's House Annex until time of the drawing.

And at Lakeside there will be more than 80 arts and crafts vendors displaying quality collectibles, under the sponsorship of the Marblehead Peninsula Chamber of Commerce. The many other activities that day include a free Walking Tour at 10:30 a.m., movie poster sale, hayrides, free miniature golf and shuffleboard, and corn hole tournament. Please don't ask me what that is.

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