From the Keeper’s Desk – July 14

Greetings!

All kinds of interesting things happened at the light station today.

Josh and Deion have done an amazing transformation on restoring the privy. Still some things to finish like installing the replicated spires it once had on the roof and moving the screen on the sidewall vent to the inside. I included some before pictures of when the pit was falling apart. They rebuilt the entire back wall of the pit and much more. The inside looked pretty depressing. Now it shines. They also patched the wall in the tower at all locations where the electricians ran the conduit behind the steps. Next they will paint to match the black and white colors and the conduit will be painted to match the wall behind it.

Billy and Mike were installing paneling boards in the barn stairwell.

Jeanne sanded and put clear finish on stair treads before they get installed, and painted trim on the summer kitchen. John Hippensteel painted the siding on the east wall of the barn.

The masons were back to put a concrete cap on the chimney. They installed a spark screen/cap at the top of the chimney. Tomorrow when they come back to remove the forms they will take their scaffolding down.

I was sitting on the bench near the barn when a couple stopped by, clearly intrigued by the restoration work. Mike asked them to remain outside the fence, and the man explained that the original barn had once been his family’s summer cottage. Mike directed him to me, and I had a great conversation with Stuart and Jeannette Locke at the barn site. They shared some fascinating history, and I learned a lot. Afterward, I gave them a tour of the lighthouse. We exchanged contact information and are looking forward to continuing the conversation and sharing historical insights.

Ed