COLUMBUS (July 18, 2001) - Governor Bob Taft and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources today announced that the historic Marblehead Lighthouse on Lake Erie will offer 14 additional tour days in August. A planned renovation of the structure has been delayed from August 1 to September 1.
"Marblehead Lighthouse benefits the entire Lake Erie tourism industry" Taft said. "Visitors to the lake have long enjoyed trips to the historic lighthouse and I am pleased that we were able to add 14 more days of tours before the renovation and preservation work begins".
The extra tours will be offered from 1 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays in August.
Marblehead lighthouse is located within Marblehead Lighthouse State Park, a unit of Lake Erie Islands State Park. The 180-year old structure is the oldest lighthouse on the Great Lakes in continuous operation. ODNR has maintained the property surrounding the park since 1972 and accepted ownership of the lighthouse tower in 1998. The U.S. Coast Guard continues to operate and maintain the lighthouse beacon.
ODNR plans to spend about $500,000 to renovate and preserve the lighthouse tower and on-site keeper's house in coming months. Planned improvements include interior and exterior rehabilitation to the lighthouse and adjacent keeper's house in compliance with historical standards, removal of overhead electrical lines, parking lot modifications to improve public access and site enhancements to improve the visual appeal of the entire three-acre park area. Work is expected to be completed by next spring.
The planned renovation will not interfere with the park's annual Marblehead Lighthouse Festival Day, scheduled for October 13.
Governor Taft will tour Middle Bass Island State Park, Friday, July 20, and unveil plans for a new state park on the island.
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Contact: Kevin Kellems, Governor's Press Secretary, at (614) 644-0957; or Jane Beathard, Department of Natural Resources, at (614) 265-6860.