Volume 3, Issue 1 - January 2025 | |
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Dear Friends,
Happy New Year!
As we enter 2025, I’m grateful for your support and enthusiasm for the Chicago Harbor Lighthouse. We’ve made tremendous strides together, and this year promises to bring even more exciting progress.
In this issue of our newsletter, we celebrate the success of our Giving Tuesday campaign, which displayed our community’s unwavering commitment. Thanks to your generosity, we’ve taken a big step toward our mission of preserving and sharing this historic treasure.
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We’re thrilled to share an update on the U.S. Lighthouse Society Passport Stamp Program, where the Chicago Harbor Lighthouse is poised to become a cherished destination for lighthouse enthusiasts nationwide. Read below for more details on collecting your stamp at the Chicago Maritime Museum in person!
On the preservation front, our team continues to diligently work on the National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act (NHLPA) application. This vital process, guided by our consultant, AltusWorks, brings us closer to ensuring the lighthouse’s future as a beacon of history and education.
Our recent Army Corps of Engineers update reflects another critical step forward. With their guidance, we’re progressing toward dock design approval, allowing visitors and contractors safe access to the lighthouse.
Finally, don’t miss our board secretary’s NEW semi-regular feature, From the Archive, which explores the rich and intriguing history of the Chicago Harbor Lighthouse. It’s a wonderful reminder of why we work hard to protect this maritime heritage.
Thank you for being part of this journey. Together, we’re ensuring that the Chicago Harbor Lighthouse remains a shining symbol of history, community, and inspiration for future generations.
Wishing you and your loved ones a joyful, healthy, and prosperous New Year!
Be Safe and Be Well!
Regards,
Kurt Lentsch
Chief Dreamer and President
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Giving Tuesday 2024: A Remarkable Success! | |
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We are thrilled to share the outstanding results of our Giving Tuesday fundraiser on December 3, 2024!
Thanks to the incredible generosity of 54 dedicated donors, we raised over $15,000 to support the Chicago Harbor Lighthouse.
This remarkable achievement was celebrated with the shipment of 35 stunning Barry Butler’s Chicago 2025 calendars and 10 personalized, signed copies of his beautiful book, Chicago: Morning, Noon, and Night. We know these exceptional items will bring joy to our donors!
A heartfelt thank-you goes to Barry Butler for his dedication and support, which were instrumental in making this fundraiser a phenomenal success. We hope everyone who participated enjoys their calendars and books, each showcasing Barry’s breathtaking photography and artistry.
If you haven’t yet explored Barry’s extraordinary work, we encourage you to visit www.barrybutlerphotography.com. His talent and passion for capturing Chicago’s beauty are truly inspiring.
Thank you for your continued commitment to preserving and celebrating the Chicago Harbor Lighthouse. Together, we are ensuring this historic beacon shines brightly for generations to come!
| Discover the U.S. Lighthouse Society Passport Stamp Program at the Chicago Maritime Museum – the Chicago Harbor Lighthouse Stamp is NOW available! | |
The Friends of the Chicago Harbor Lighthouse are pleased to announce that, through a special agreement with the Chicago Maritime Museum, the U.S. Lighthouse Society’s Passport Stamp Program is now officially available in person at the museum. This significant initiative highlights the rich history of lighthouses and offers visitors a distinctive opportunity to connect with Chicago's maritime heritage.
Lighthouse enthusiasts and passport collectors can bring their passports or purchase their U.S. Lighthouse Society Passports directly at the Museum Gift Shop. Once you have your passport, you can receive the official Chicago Harbor Lighthouse stamp in person! This beautifully designed stamp commemorates your connection to one of Chicago’s most iconic landmarks and is a must-have for any lighthouse aficionado.
While we encourage everyone to visit the Chicago Maritime Museum in person to obtain their Chicago Harbor Lighthouse stamp and explore its outstanding exhibits, participation is also available by mail. To request by mail, send the $2 donation per stamp and a self-addressed, stamped envelope to:
Friends of the Chicago Harbor Lighthouse
Attn: STAMP
122 South Michigan Avenue, Suite 1390
Chicago, IL 60603
Requests will be processed promptly.
The U.S. Lighthouse Society Passport Program is a fun and educational way to explore lighthouses nationwide. Each stamp represents a special memory, marking your visits to these remarkable structures and their surrounding communities. By participating in the program, you also support lighthouse preservation efforts, helping to ensure these historic beacons remain a part of our shared cultural legacy.
Plan to visit the Chicago Maritime Museum soon and participate in this exciting program. While there, explore the museum’s exhibits, which showcase Chicago’s rich maritime history and the pivotal role in our city’s development. Visit www.ChicagoMaritimeMuseum.org to plan your visit!
Thank you for supporting the Friends of the Chicago Harbor Lighthouse and the Chicago Maritime Museum. Together, we’re keeping the light shining bright for future generations.
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A New Chapter Begins: Charting the Future of the Chicago Harbor Lighthouse
As we embark on a new year, the Friends of the Chicago Harbor Lighthouse are energized by the opportunities ahead. With the second round of our NHLPA application nearing completion and scheduled for submission in early 2025, we are poised to take significant strides toward securing the lighthouse's future.
Our Vice President, Marie Huscher, is busy leading her Construction Working Group team members in finalizing construction costs and diligently working on our “Safe Public Access” phase planning. This phase focuses on establishing safe commercial docking infrastructure, removing hazardous materials, and addressing safety concerns essential for public access and future restoration.
Our mission for 2025 is ambitious yet deeply rooted in our shared passion for our mission to Preserve, Restore, and Celebrate the Chicago Harbor Lighthouse.
Once ownership is finalized, we will focus on implementing the detailed rehabilitation plans developed in collaboration with our Working Groups and our consultant, AltusWorks. These plans include essential repairs and enhancements to make the lighthouse accessible for public engagement.
We are also excited to begin planning for educational and community outreach programs. From student field trips highlighting maritime history to special events celebrating Chicago’s waterfront heritage, our vision is to transform the lighthouse into a beacon of learning and inspiration.
Stay connected as we share updates on restoration progress, upcoming events, and opportunities to get involved. We are bringing new light to an iconic piece of Chicago's history. Thank you for being part of this extraordinary journey!
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Taking the First Step Toward Seasonal Dock Installation
The Friends of the Chicago Harbor Lighthouse are excited to share a significant milestone in our mission to enhance accessibility to the lighthouse. In early December, we met with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Chicago office to discuss plans for a seasonal dock at the lighthouse. The Chicago Harbor Lighthouse has been assigned a Project Manager and File Number, LRC-2024-566.
Following these productive discussions, we submitted the Nationwide Permit Pre-Construction Notification (PCN) to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. This permit submission, contingent on the transfer of ownership, marks a crucial first step toward securing approval for the dock installation.
Once all regulatory requirements are satisfied and necessary permits obtained, the seasonal dock will greatly improve access to the lighthouse, enabling safe and convenient arrival by commercial boat for visitors and contractors alike.
While we still have regulatory processes to navigate at the State and City levels, we thank our Vice President, Marie Huscher, for her outstanding leadership in navigating this complex process and ensuring that all application requirements are being met.
This accomplishment underscores our dedication to making the Chicago Harbor Lighthouse accessible to the public. Thank you to our members and partners for their unwavering support as we take this exciting step forward.
Stay tuned for updates as we work to make this vision a reality!
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From the Archives
By: Steve Clements
Dateline: January 8, 1936
Commuting to and from work in January in Chicago has always been a chilly challenge. Now, imagine being one of the keepers at the Chicago Harbor Lighthouse. Be it a beautiful August morning or a bone-chilling January morning, you'd have to first travel from the shore-side USLHS dock to the lighthouse in an open boat to begin your multiple-day rotations of four-hour shifts.
This remarkable photo from the Chicago Daily Times captures a keeper making that journey in one of the lighthouse's motorized boats, braving the elements to reach the Chicago Harbor Lighthouse.
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Original January 8, 1936, Photo Caption: "Plowing through the ice with a small lighthouse motorboat, this Lighthouse keeper was observed by a Daily Times Cameraman going to work this AM." – Source: USLHS | |
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Dateline: Circa 1920’s
This fascinating photo, taken by the U.S. Lighthouse Service and preserved in the archives of the U.S. Lighthouse Society (USLHS), shows the Chicago Harbor Lighthouse shortly after it was relocated to its current location in 1918.
One intriguing detail is that despite its inclusion in the original construction drawings, there is no dock at water level near the doors and ladder to land and secure a boat safely. Historical photos, including this one, reveal no evidence of the dock’s existence. Even today, a visit to the lighthouse shows no structural indications that it was ever built.
Another notable feature is the double doors of the boathouse, located on the deck level to the north (left) of the tower, as well as the davit—a small crane used to hoist boats and cargo into the boathouse. Reflecting on the earlier image of the keeper heading to begin his shift, it's clear that his challenges didn’t end upon arrival. After reaching the lighthouse, he would have had to work with other keepers to hoist the boat approximately 20 feet into the boathouse for safe storage.
Finally, the paint scheme visible in the photo is markedly different from the familiar white structures with red roofs seen today. Here, the tower and buildings are painted red, with black metal roofs. Traces of these historic colors can still be found beneath the current paint layers and are documented in historical U.S. Lighthouse Service reports about the Chicago Harbor Lighthouse.
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Chicago Harbor Lighthouse, Circa 1920's – Source: USLHS | |
Friends of Chicago Harbor Lighthouse Awarded the Gold Seal of Transparency from Candid/GuideStar! | |
We are proud to share that we have been awarded the Gold Seal of Transparency from Candid/GuideStar. This honor recognizes our commitment to openness, accountability, and responsible stewardship of your contributions. | |
For those unfamiliar, Candid is a leading nonprofit organization that provides trusted information about the nonprofit sector. Formed by the merger of GuideStar and Foundation Center, Candid connects donors, organizations, and other stakeholders with accurate, transparent data to foster trust and effective philanthropy. Earning the Gold Seal places us among the top nonprofits recognized for our dedication to transparency and excellence.
Visit our Candid profile on GuideStar (https://www.guidestar.org/profile/shared/76821fab-b554-40a8-b18e-cdff86c4d68a) to learn more about our organization, financial practices, and the impact of your support.
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Now Accepting Securities as Donations
We are also excited to announce that Friends of the Chicago Harbor Lighthouse now accepts donations in securities, such as stocks and bonds.
Donating securities offers a unique opportunity to support our mission while potentially maximizing the impact of your gift.
Tax Benefits: Your stock donation is tax-deductible to the extent law permits if you pay taxes in the United States.
Capital Gains Savings: Donating appreciated securities directly may avoid capital gains taxes you would incur if you sold the assets, making this a potentially cost-effective way to give generously.
Professional Guidance: As with any tax-related matter, we encourage you to consult with a qualified tax advisor to fully understand the benefits and implications of your donation.
To learn more or to initiate a gift of securities, please visit the Donate page on our website, www.SaveTheLighthouse.org/donate.
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The Friends of the Chicago Harbor Lighthouse (FOCHL) Online Store is LIVE!
Check out our fun new t-shirt design and pick up some extra pins and stickers to share with your friends and family. The Chicago Harbor Lighthouse Model makes a great holiday gift for your favorite Chicagoan!
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!
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Book a Save The Lighthouse Presentation | |
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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.
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.
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Volunteer Your Time and Talent | |
Photo credit: Barry Butler | |
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We would appreciate your help. Volunteer and join us in our mission to save the Chicago Harbor Lighthouse and keep its legacy alive for generations.
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 cherished by our city.
If you want to donate your talents and join our team, please visit our volunteer page at savethelighthouse.org/volunteer to learn more.
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.
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Some of the talented volunteers, who are building this dream. | |
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 are unable to make a monetary donation at this time, we ask if you could please share the fundraiser information, to help our cause.
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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
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Copyright © 2025 Friends of the Chicago Harbor Lighthouse - All Rights Reserved. | | | | |
