March 22, 2014

PLLPS held a our annual spring cleanup day to prepare the lighthouse for the first open house of the season on April 5, 2014 from 10 am to 2 pm. The weather was cloudy, cold and windy when we started a 9 am, but as always, a little bad weather won't stop our volunteers. We spruced up the interior of the lighthouse to make things as nice as possible. Our new volunteer Robert and Sam spent many hours walking the fence line and repairing damaged areas. We want to make it as difficult as possible for the vandals- who have plagued our lighthouse during the last year- to gain unauthorized access to the complex again (that's ok, karma is about to catch up with some of them). We installed signs to make it clear that the lighthouse complex is under 24 hour surveillance. We upgraded our security systems as well.

We are working with the state to formulate a plan for the complex. Hurricane Sandy high priority repair projects have caused us delays and we are currently waiting for an architect to be selected by the Maryland General Services Administration so that the planning phase can begin. The plan will cover the lighthouse complex, including the lighthouse, the coal shed and the buoy shed. The 1883 buoy shed is one of the last- if not the last- remaining wooden buoy repair sheds left in the country. Unfortunately, the coal shed (southernmost building) is very prone to flooding and has sustained significant damage in recent years from storms that seem to have targeted the Point Lookout area. The coal shed, built in 1884 and significantly modified over that last decade, may need to be replaced so that the flooding issue is mitigated. This coal and buoy shed area is currently off limits to the general public due to the safety hazards presented by its current condition. In addition, we plan to return the fog bell tower from its current location at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum in St Michaels, hopefully to its original location on the east side of the coal shed. The view from the top of this structure would be a phenomenal asset to the Point Lookout Lighthouse Complex.

Pics of our volunteers in Action

One last look at our sign that has served us well since 2007

Volunteers work to bring the old sign down

Up goes the new sign!

Our new sign, ready to inform visitors. Sign by Jack Stone Signs (www.jackstonesigns.com). Please contact Eric Raines at Jack Stone Signs for all your sign needs, we are very pleased with our new sign. eric@jackstonesigns.com