Volume 1, Issue 2 - May, 2023

President's Letter

Dear Friends,

Spring has finally arrived in Chicago, and with it comes a renewed sense of energy and optimism. The longer days, warmer weather, and blooming flowers bring a sense of renewal and hope.

As the great Chicago architect and urban planner, Daniel Burnham once said, “Make no little plans; they have no magic to stir men’s blood… Make big plans; aim high in hope and work.”

At the Friends of the Chicago Harbor Lighthouse, we have been aiming high and making big plans to Preserve, Restore and Celebrate the Chicago Harbor Lighthouse. With the support of our dedicated community, we are confident that we can save this beloved landmark for generations to come.

To help us organize our volunteers and to help manage and complete our Mission, we have created five Working Groups of volunteers.

They are:

• Community Engagement
• Construction
• Fundraising
• Historic Preservation
• Marketing/Communications

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.

I invite you to join us on this journey. Whether you are a volunteer, a donor, or a supporter, your contribution will make a difference. If you are interested in volunteering, please visit our volunteer page at savethelighthouse.org/volunteer to learn more. If you would like to donate to our mission, click the Donate to Support button below.

Also, we invite you to several in-person events presenting Chicago Harbor Lighthouse – Past, Present, and Future presented by Edward Torrez, AIA, NCARB, Preservation Architect.

Mark your calendars for Friday, May 19, 2023, at 6:00 PM at the Burnham Park Yacht Club and Wednesday, May 24, 2023, at 6:30 PM (optional dinner at 5:00 PM) at the Cliff Dwellers Club; details below.

All of us appreciate your support for our Mission.

Be Safe and Be Well!

Regards,

Kurt Lentsch,

Chief Dreamer and President, Friends of the Chicago Harbor Lighthouse

Your contribution will enable us to offset the start-up costs for the

Friends of the Chicago Harbor Lighthouse

and begin the work of preservation and restoration...

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

We are pleased to invite you to either one of two presentations of

Chicago Harbor Lighthouse – Past, Present and Future

Speakers

Kurt Lentsch, Chief Dreamer, President, FCHL

Edward Torrez, AIA, NCARB, Preservation Architect

Burnham Park Yacht Club

Friday, May 19, 2023

1500 S Linn White Dr.

(On Northerly Island)

Chicago, IL 60605

5:00 Cash Bar Opens

6:00 Presentation

6:45 You are welcome to stick around the club after the presentation for monthly BINGO or enjoy dinner in the club’s dining room.

No RSVP is required.

Cliff Dwellers Club Chicago

Wednesday, May 24, 2023

200 South Michigan – Suite 2200

Chicago, IL 60604

Hosted by: Cliff Dwellers Club Chicago

Preservation Chicago

Friends of the Chicago Harbor Lighthouse

5:00 Cash Bar Opens

5:30 Dinner by Reservation $40 (optional)

6:30 Program

RSVP by Monday May 20th, by phone at 312-922-8080, or by email at [email protected]

Lighthouses are an invaluable part of America’s maritime heritage. The beginning of Chicago Harbor Lighthouse was constructed in 1893 during the World’s Columbian Exposition, held in Chicago’s Jackson Park. The Lighthouse was originally built further north than its current location in 1893, then moved in 1917 to its final spot, at the end of the breakwater near the mouth of the Chicago Harbor.

The Lighthouse was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on July 19, 1984, and a Chicago Landmark on April 9, 2001. In 2009, the City of Chicago took over ownership of the Lighthouse from the General Services Administration (GSA), facilitated by the 2000 National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act.

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. 

We hope you can join us.

VOLUNTEER YOUR TIME AND TALENT

We need your help. Volunteer and join us in our mission to save the

Chicago Harbor Lighthouse and keep its legacy alive for generations to come. 

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 that is cherished by our city.

If you are interested in donating your talents and joining our team, please visit our

volunteer page at savethelighthouse.org/volunteer to learn more.

Currently, we are seeking talented and experienced part-time volunteers to

assist us in the areas of fundraising (especially grant writing), construction,

and community outreach to help us build and maintain

our connections to local and national organizations.

LIGHTHOUSE POINTS

On Monday, May 24, FCHL board members were treated to a private showing of Lincoln Park Conservatory's spring flower show "Cooler by the Lake," featuring a model of the Chicago Harbor Lighthouse. Thank you to the conservatory's Matt and Sebastian for a delightful morning and the generous donation of the model.

NATIONAL LIGHTHOUSE DAY - AUGUST 7, 2023

National Lighthouse Day, an annual commemoration of the anniversary of the federal lighthouse establishment and a day to celebrate lighthouses and the commitment and service of those who tended America’s lights for generations.

For the bicentennial of the U.S. Lighthouse Service in 1989, the Society petitioned Congress to declare National Lighthouse Day on August 7 -- the date in 1789 that the Ninth Act of the First Congress, establishing federal control of lighthouses, was passed and signed by President George Washington. Sen. John H. Chaffee of Rhode Island sponsored the joint resolution, which was championed in the House by Rep. William J. Hughes of New Jersey, and the measure was signed by President Ronald Reagan as Public Law 100-622 on Nov. 5, 1988.

But that designation only established the day for 1989. Another similar declaration was won in 2013 thanks to a Senate Resolution, but efforts to add the day to the official national calendar have not yet succeeded. The lighthouse law should be remembered as an altruistic act of the nation and the first public works program undertaken by the new federal government. The first members of Congress thought the bill so important that they passed the measure even before they got around to establishing pay for congressmen! Stay tuned for special Chicago Harbor Lighthouse events and news in honor of National Lighthouse Day.

41°53'22"N 87°35'26"W

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