The Ridges Sanctuary

Preservation, Education, and Research

29th Annual Door County Spring Lighthouse Festival Preview

Posted on Jun 8, 2022 by Jeanne Farrell   No Comments Yet | Posted in Uncategorized

By: Door County (WLUK) — It’s being billed as a chance to visit Door County’s maritime history up-close.

The celebration is part of the 29th annual Door County Spring Lighthouse Festival.

Even with Lake Michigan levels six inches lower than last year at this time, it’s a bumpy ride for the tractor-hay wagon combination to get to the nine-acre site. Door County Maritime Museum officials say Cana Island is one of about a dozen destinations on the docket for the weekend festival.

“There’s just a great opportunity to get out and see some of the lighthouses. Some of these lighthouses are really not available to the general public year round,” said Sam Perlman, Door County Maritime Museum Deputy Director.

Not far away, at The Ridges Sanctuary in Baileys Harbor, a system of two range lights guides boats safely into the harbor. The curator says the two buildings will be open for tours.

“Lighthouses are part of our history, and we love to get people involved in history. And we’ve done a lot of restoration work at the range lights here. We’re proud to show them off,” said Ed Miller, Baileys Harbor Range Lights curator.

Miller says the range lights date back to 1869, the same year Cana Island was built. But this season, visitors to Cana will encounter some construction.

“Cana Island this year, is undergoing the fourth phase of a four-phase, multi-million-dollar restoration project. And this year, we are finally doing the interior of the keeper’s quarters and the lighthouse tower itself,” said Perlman.

Watch the interview with Ed Miller on Fox 11 News.

 


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