Volume 4, Issue 2 - February 2026

President's Letter

Dear Friends,

March in Chicago has a way of waking everything up.

The lakefront starts to soften around the edges. The days stretch a little longer. And of course, we get one of the most beloved traditions in the city—the dyeing of the Chicago River, a tradition that’s been turning the heart of downtown green since 1962.

It’s a reminder that Chicago knows how to celebrate, show up, and believe in something joyful—together.

For FOCHL, March carries that same spirit… and then some.

This month marks two milestones that matter deeply to me—and to everyone who has carried this mission forward:

March 16, 2026 — the 4th anniversary of the day I walked into the Secretary of State’s office with a dream in one hand and a stack of papers in the other to form the Friends of the Chicago Harbor Lighthouse.

March 11, 2026 — the 1st anniversary of submitting our National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act (NHLPA) application to transfer ownership of the lighthouse from the City of Chicago to FOCHL—the first major step in making this dream a reality.

When we look back at those dates, what stands out isn’t just the paperwork or the process. It’s the decision behind them: the moment we chose to stop admiring the lighthouse from afar and start building the future it deserves.

And now, with a little bit of St. Patrick’s Day luck—and a whole lot of persistence—we’re hopeful that in the coming months we’ll hear from the Secretary of the Interior, moving us closer to the finish line on ownership transfer. We’ll keep you updated every step of the way.

This March newsletter reflects that momentum and the community behind it. Inside, you’ll find:

A special reflection on the founding of FOCHL and the dream that started it all
An update and encouragement to read our 2025 Annual Report, including a few standout highlights you made possible
A recap of our packed February evening at Columbia Yacht Club, where we shared “Chicago Harbor Lighthouse: The Past, Present and Future”—made even more memorable by a surprise appearance from our retired lightkeeper, Wayne Barton, sharing firsthand stories from the lighthouse
And a look ahead to two exciting upcoming opportunities to share the lighthouse story—our May 6 Zoom program hosted by Glessner House Online, and our May 28 Zoom presentation for Chicago Architecture Center docents

As always, I want to close with a simple truth: FOCHL is not a building. FOCHL is people.

Donors. Volunteers. Partners. Friends. Dreamers.

The lighthouse may be made of stone and steel—but the work to save it is made of heart.

Thank you for believing in this mission.

Thank you for being part of this moment in Chicago’s history.

And thank you for helping ensure that the Chicago Harbor Lighthouse doesn’t just remain a symbol on the horizon—but becomes a place of learning, pride, and possibility for generations to come.

With gratitude and momentum,

Be Safe and Be Well!

Regards,

Kurt Lentsch

Chief Dreamer and President

Four Years In: A Dream, A Stack of Papers, and a Lighthouse Worth Fighting For

On March 16, 2026, we quietly cross a milestone that means a lot to me—and I hope it means something to you, too.

Four years ago, on a cold March morning in Chicago, just ahead of St. Patrick’s Day, I walked into the Secretary of State’s office at 69 W. Washington Street with a dream in one hand and a stack of papers in the other.

The dream was simple to say, but enormous to take on: Preserve, Restore, and Celebrate the Chicago Harbor Lighthouse.

The stack of papers was everything it took to make that dream real—the Articles of Incorporation and the documents needed to officially form the Friends of the Chicago Harbor Lighthouse.

I remember that morning clearly. Not because it was dramatic, but because it was decisive. It was one of those moments where you realize: if we don’t do this, who will?

Chicago’s lighthouse has stood through more than a century of wind, ice, waves, and change. It has guided ships, watched over our harbor, and become a symbol of our city’s resilience. And yet, it needed champions—people willing to roll up their sleeves and say, We’re not letting this story fade.

That’s what FOCHL became: a promise that this lighthouse would not be forgotten, not neglected, and not left to chance.

One Year Since the First Major Step

This March also marks another meaningful anniversary.

March 11, 2026 marks one year since we submitted our NHLPA application to transfer ownership of the Chicago Harbor Lighthouse from the City of Chicago to FOCHL. That submission was the first major step in turning a dream into a responsibility—and ultimately, into action.

Because ownership isn’t just a title. It’s the starting line.

It means we can move from planning to preserving. From hope to hands-on work. From telling people what we want to do… to showing them what we are doing.

The Most Important Part of This Story

Here’s the truth: this isn’t my story anymore.

It’s our story.

It’s the story of donors who stepped up when we asked.

Volunteers who showed up when it was easier not to.

Partners who said “yes” when they could have said “maybe later.”

It’s the story of a community choosing to protect something that belongs to all of Chicago.

Over the last four years, we’ve proven something important: momentum is real. And momentum is built one person at a time.

If you’ve supported FOCHL—whether through a donation, a purchase on our online store, a share on social media, or simply encouraging words—please know this:

You helped carry that dream across the threshold.

You helped turn a stack of papers into a living organization.

And you’re helping turn a lighthouse into a future place of learning, inspiration, and pride on Chicago’s lakefront.

Looking Ahead

As we enter this next chapter, I’m more hopeful than ever. Not because the work is easy—it isn’t. But because we’ve already seen what’s possible when people decide that history matters and that Chicago’s landmarks deserve more than admiration from a distance.

The Chicago Harbor Lighthouse has always been a beacon.

Now, together, we’re making sure it remains one—not just in the skyline, but in the heart of this city, and in the lives of the generations who will someday step inside it, learn from it, and feel what we all feel when we look out over the water and see it standing strong.

Thank you for believing in this mission. Thank you for walking with us.

Photo Credit: Barry Butler

2025 Annual Report: Momentum You Made Possible

As we move into 2026, we’re proud to share our 2025 Annual Report—a snapshot of an unforgettable year for the Friends of the Chicago Harbor Lighthouse (FOCHL) and the growing community that’s determined to Preserve, Restore, and Celebrate this Chicago icon for future generations.

A few 2025 highlights you made happen

“Light the Way” on National Lighthouse Day (Aug. 7) marked our inaugural signature fundraiser—welcoming guests onboard and online and raising $180,000 for the mission.

On Giving Tuesday (Dec. 2), supporters rallied again—raising over $35,000 in a single day and strengthening partnerships that help us share the lighthouse’s beauty and urgency with the world.

In 2025, FOCHL generated approximately $179,000 in total revenue, including $175,000 in philanthropic giving—a powerful sign of growing confidence in this mission.

We also secured a $500,000 matching pledge from an anonymous Chicago foundation, helping start build the runway for the work ahead.

And on the NHLPA transfer path, we reached a major milestone: Secretary of the Interior review & signature—an important step as we work toward transfer.

None of this happens without you. Whether you gave $10 or $10,000, shared a post, bought a shirt, brought a friend to an event, or simply encouraged us along the way—thank you. Every single gift matters, and every donor matters.

READ THE FULL REPORT

A Full House at Columbia Yacht Club: “Chicago Harbor Lighthouse: The Past, Present and Future”

On February 5th, the Friends of the Chicago Harbor Lighthouse (FOCHL) had the honor of presenting at the Columbia Yacht Club—and what a night it was.

With a full house on Club’s reopening night, the energy in the room was a powerful reminder of how deeply Chicagoans—and especially our boating community—care about the lighthouse and its future.

Edward Torrez, Steve Clements, and Kurt Lentsch walked attendees through our presentation, “Chicago Harbor Lighthouse: The Past, Present, and Future,” exploring the lighthouse’s remarkable story from its construction in 1893 to the present day.

Together, we traced the lighthouse’s evolution through more than a century of change—its purpose, its place in Chicago’s maritime identity, and the urgency of securing its next chapter.

And as a special surprise, retired Chicago Harbor Lightkeeper, Wayne Barton, was in attendance to share —a moment that brought the room even closer to the human side of this landmark and added to the excitement of the night.

We are truly grateful to the Columbia Yacht Club for hosting FOCHL and for providing such a welcoming platform to share this story. And to the members who attended: thank you for your thoughtful questions, your enthusiasm, and your continued support of our mission to Preserve, Restore, and Celebrate the Chicago Harbor Lighthouse.

Upcoming Presentations — Mark Your Calendars

We’re continuing to share the lighthouse’s story across Chicago, and we hope you’ll join us:

Wednesday, May 6 – Zoom presentation hosted by Glessner House Online - More details to come—mark your calendar now.

Thursday, May 28 – Chicago Architecture Center Docent presentation (Zoom) - This special session will introduce our mission to the docents who help tell Chicago’s story every day through tours of the city, river, and lakefront.

Want FOCHL to Present to Your Organization?

If your yacht club, civic group, company, or community organization would like to host “Chicago Harbor Lighthouse: The Past, Present and Future,” we’d love to bring it to you.

Please reach out to Steve Clements at steveclements@savethelighthouse.org.

Chicago Maritime Museum Speaker Series: A Sold-Out Third Friday with Ted Karamanski

I had the opportunity to attend the Chicago Maritime Museum’s Speaker Series on the Third Friday at the Bridgeport Art Center (1200 W. 35th Street at 35th & Racine) on Friday, February 20, 2026, and it was an outstanding evening from start to finish.

The highlight of the night was a sold-out, full-house presentation by historian Ted (Theodore J.) Karamanski, Professor Emeritus, Loyola University Chicago celebrating the release of his 10th and latest book, Great Lake: An Unnatural History of Lake Michigan.

Ted walked us through the lake’s story in a way that felt both sweeping and personal—connecting Lake Michigan’s natural forces with the many ways people have shaped it over time.

His talk blended Great Lakes maritime history with the practical realities of how communities and industry developed along the shoreline: harbors carved and maintained, channels cut, wetlands altered, and the growth of commerce and shipping that helped build the region we know today.

I especially appreciated how he traced the lake’s story across generations—from the earliest Indigenous communities to today—showing the many ways people have depended on it, shaped it, cared for it, and sometimes taken it for granted, and how those choices have affected lakefront communities throughout the region.

The takeaway was clear: Lake Michigan’s story is the story of Chicago—and the story of the entire Great Lakes shoreline.

What I value about the Chicago Maritime Museum’s Speaker Series is that it makes maritime history accessible. It’s a welcoming room—curious people, thoughtful questions, and the kind of shared energy you feel when everyone knows they’re hearing something special. Ted’s presentation was exactly that: engaging, grounded, and memorable.

If you weren’t able to attend (or if you want to dive deeper into the history he covered), Ted’s book is well worth adding to your Great Lakes reading list:

To learn more or purchase a copy of Great Lake: An Unnatural History of Lake Michigan, visit:

https://press.umich.edu/Books/G/Great-Lake

The Chicago Maritime Museum’s Speaker Series strengthens Chicago’s connection to the water—by reminding us not just what the lake looks like, but what it has meant to generations of people who built lives, livelihoods, and communities around it.

To learn more about the Chicago Maritime Museum's Speaker Series, visit: https://www.chicagomaritimemuseum.org/.

Help Light the Way

Every gift makes a difference. As we approach the final stages of acquiring the Chicago Harbor Lighthouse, your support powers the future-- restoration, public access, education, and celebration of this enduring symbol of our city’s maritime history.

This summer, we’re raising critical funds to launch our first major restoration efforts and create engaging programming that brings students, families, and visitors to the lighthouse for generations to come.

Donate today and become part of the story.
Share our mission with friends, neighbors, and colleagues.
Be a Lightkeeper and help us preserve this national treasure.

The Friends of the Chicago Harbor Lighthouse is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

Your donation is fully tax-deductible.

Visit www.SaveTheLighthouse.org/donate

Together, we can Save the Lighthouse. Thank you!

DONATE NOW

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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