Presqu'ile Point Lighthouse
Donation protected
Writeup credit is owed to Lisa Vincent; she and her family have been avid Presqu'ile Provincial Park lovers for well over 55+ years!
Presqu’ile Provincial Park is a magical place. From the rich history of life on the stormy seas, to the natural beauty of it’s beaches, wet lands and wildlife, to the inviting campsites and public areas for all to enjoy, Presqu’ile is a park which offers so much to so many.
One of the true treasures of Presqu’ile Provincial Park is its stately, historical lighthouse, which for centuries has served as a beacon of safety for many a sailor. Picture yourself travelling along the shores of Lake Ontario in the mid 1800’s, perhaps in a large passenger vessel or as a crewman on a boat full of valued cargo. A violent storm erupts. The fierce wind is whistling, the boat is rocking forcefully against the powerful swell of ferocious waves, and an eerie darkness encases the vessel. Then suddenly, a guiding signal can be faintly heard in the distance and now vaguely, a light is seen across the stormy sky. There to guide you, along the rocky shores is a beacon of powerful light, to save you from the threatening sea.
The Presqu’ile Point Lighthouse was built in 1840 and holds a significant place in the history books, as it is currently the second oldest operating lighthouse in Ontario. Remarkably the structure is still in tact, however, it desperately requires restoration to insure its place on the point and in the history books for years to come. Recognizing the significance of the lighthouse, in 2013, a group of dedicated volunteers formed the Presqu'ile Point Lighthouse Preservation Society (visit us at www.pplps.ca), to restore and preserve the lighthouse for future generations to enjoy. By late 2017, their relentless volunteer efforts resulted in sufficient funds to set the goal of complete restoration in 2018, as they were on target with their planned 2018 fundraising programs to provide the remaining funds.
Sadly, in early 2018, this hard working committee discovered a very significant misappropriation of their bank account of over $55,000, an amount that may increase as the Police investigation continues. Unwilling to lose sight of the importance of this project, and the significance of what this 177 year old lighthouse brings to the local community as well as thousands of visitors to the park on an annual basis, the committee is determined to see it through. Be assured, all measures to protect it’s accounts in the future have now been secured.
The Goal: To raise $55 000.00 to replace the stolen funds, the funds raised by volunteers who care deeply, and by the public who supported their fund raising efforts.
The Benefits: A significant piece of history will remain for years to come. Anyone who has visited Presqu’ile can tell you of the pure fun of scrambling on the rocks surrounding the lighthouse on the point; of the exhilaration of sitting by the shore and watching the waves crash in; of peacefully lying on one’s back stretching his/her eyes to the top of the lighthouse, and imagining days and nights gone by, and adventures told by those at sea. With the Lighthouse Centre and museum adjacent to the lighthouse, those young and old can marvel in the excellent displays that so vividly capture the history of Presqu’ile and its unique lighthouse.
Presqu’ile is a place of memories: memories of past centuries, and memories in the making for the future. Please consider donating generously to this great cause, and support all those who have worked so hard to preserve the history of this truly magical place.
Should you have any questions, you can reach the Chairperson Dave Sharp at [email redacted] or
for updates on our status, feel free to follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Presquile-Point-Lighthouse-Preservation-Society-1438031646484262/
Presqu’ile Provincial Park is a magical place. From the rich history of life on the stormy seas, to the natural beauty of it’s beaches, wet lands and wildlife, to the inviting campsites and public areas for all to enjoy, Presqu’ile is a park which offers so much to so many.
One of the true treasures of Presqu’ile Provincial Park is its stately, historical lighthouse, which for centuries has served as a beacon of safety for many a sailor. Picture yourself travelling along the shores of Lake Ontario in the mid 1800’s, perhaps in a large passenger vessel or as a crewman on a boat full of valued cargo. A violent storm erupts. The fierce wind is whistling, the boat is rocking forcefully against the powerful swell of ferocious waves, and an eerie darkness encases the vessel. Then suddenly, a guiding signal can be faintly heard in the distance and now vaguely, a light is seen across the stormy sky. There to guide you, along the rocky shores is a beacon of powerful light, to save you from the threatening sea.
The Presqu’ile Point Lighthouse was built in 1840 and holds a significant place in the history books, as it is currently the second oldest operating lighthouse in Ontario. Remarkably the structure is still in tact, however, it desperately requires restoration to insure its place on the point and in the history books for years to come. Recognizing the significance of the lighthouse, in 2013, a group of dedicated volunteers formed the Presqu'ile Point Lighthouse Preservation Society (visit us at www.pplps.ca), to restore and preserve the lighthouse for future generations to enjoy. By late 2017, their relentless volunteer efforts resulted in sufficient funds to set the goal of complete restoration in 2018, as they were on target with their planned 2018 fundraising programs to provide the remaining funds.
Sadly, in early 2018, this hard working committee discovered a very significant misappropriation of their bank account of over $55,000, an amount that may increase as the Police investigation continues. Unwilling to lose sight of the importance of this project, and the significance of what this 177 year old lighthouse brings to the local community as well as thousands of visitors to the park on an annual basis, the committee is determined to see it through. Be assured, all measures to protect it’s accounts in the future have now been secured.
The Goal: To raise $55 000.00 to replace the stolen funds, the funds raised by volunteers who care deeply, and by the public who supported their fund raising efforts.
The Benefits: A significant piece of history will remain for years to come. Anyone who has visited Presqu’ile can tell you of the pure fun of scrambling on the rocks surrounding the lighthouse on the point; of the exhilaration of sitting by the shore and watching the waves crash in; of peacefully lying on one’s back stretching his/her eyes to the top of the lighthouse, and imagining days and nights gone by, and adventures told by those at sea. With the Lighthouse Centre and museum adjacent to the lighthouse, those young and old can marvel in the excellent displays that so vividly capture the history of Presqu’ile and its unique lighthouse.
Presqu’ile is a place of memories: memories of past centuries, and memories in the making for the future. Please consider donating generously to this great cause, and support all those who have worked so hard to preserve the history of this truly magical place.
Should you have any questions, you can reach the Chairperson Dave Sharp at [email redacted] or
for updates on our status, feel free to follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Presquile-Point-Lighthouse-Preservation-Society-1438031646484262/
Organizer
Margo Stewart
Organizer
Belleville, ON
