Write a commentThe first Lake Ontario Central New York Lighthouse Challenge will take place this year on June 21 and June 22.
The challenge is to visit six unique New York lighthouses within two days. The official challenge route starts with Oswego’s West Pierhead Lighthouse, then moves East and West from the Thousand Islands to Rochester, N.Y.
To register, visitors can start at the maritime museum located on the West 1st Street Pier in Oswego on June 21 at 9 am or if for travelling purposes, participants may prefer to purchase a registration packet ahead of time and begin touring at any participating lighthouse beginning the morning of June 21. The packets are available by pre-registration before June 12 or from the museum until the day of the event. The packets are $15 each.
Participants will collect a lighthouse stamp or token at each lighthouse they visit. Special arrangements have been made to include bonus sites not usually open to the public. The lighthouses are located along the southern end of Lake Ontario and following along the Seaway Trail, a National Scenic Byway.
Those who register will receive an official Lighthouse Challenge booklet including information about each site, directions and recommendations of other attractions to view along the way, local tourist information and their final award.
Sites located East of Oswego West Pierhead Lighthouse will highlight Rock Island Lighthouse of Clayton, Tibbits Point Lighthouse in Cape Vincent, Cape Vincent Breakwater Lighthouse of Cape Vincent and Selkirk Light, located at the Salmon River Lighthouse & Marina of Pulaski. Travelling West of Oswego visitors can view the Braddock Point Light in Hilton, Charlotte-Genesee Light in Rochester, Rochester Harbor West Pierhead Light, Sodus Bay Light and Sodus Outer Light in Sodus, and Fair Haven Range Lights in Fair Haven.
At each stop, participants will have an opportunity to learn about the essential role of lighthouses located along this most eastern Great Lake in protecting maritime vessels that plied the waters and made commerce and trade possible.
“These events raise awareness for the preservation efforts going on and excite people to support their own lighthouses," Jo Panayotoff, Oswego Lighthouse Challenge Committee member and longtime lighthouse enthusiast said. "This challenge also gives enthusiasts the opportunity to see lighthouses that are not always accessible to the public.”
Anyone who wants to register in this challenge but is unable to complete the whole route is welcome to join in the fun and visit as many sites as they wish on the list. A future visit may be possible.
The challenge is taking place in honor of the Oswego West Pierhead Lighthouse’s 80th Anniversary. In addition, an extensive restoration process is underway. Thus far, volunteers have replaced two ceiling panels in the signal room, restored various windows, and prepared the bathroom for painting. Outside work was also completed to improve the security of the basement window shutters and secure the deck hatches. Volunteers were also able to install video surveillance and warning signs on the deck. All ten window lanterns have been replaced and the interior and exterior of the lanterns and lantern gallery deck and railings have been repainted.
The H. Lee White Marine Museum is located at the end of the West First Street Pier, in Oswego’s Historic Maritime District. For more information about the Lake Ontario CNY Lighthouse Challenge, the current restoration process or other museum activities, contact the Museum at (315) 342-0480, or at info@hleewhitemarinemuseum.com. Also, visit hleewhitemarinemuseum.com, facebook.com/hlwmm and facebook.com/oswegolh.
