The Fort Gratiot Light Station in Port Huron is getting spruced up over the winter. The property, which is part of St. Clair County Parks, is seeing improvements to the Light Tower’s Watch and Lantern Rooms and the Fog Signal Building.
The Lantern Room restorations are made possible by a Michigan Lighthouse Assistance Program Grant. The grant is for $16,667 and will be matched with an $8,333 grant from the Friends of the Fort Gratiot Light.
The repairs will restore the lantern room to how it looked in the 1930s, which includes new glass windows, metal and masonry repair, paint, and a glass floor.
A new pedestal will be installed to hold the modern LED light that is still used as a navigational aid.
The fog signal building will be getting some repairs to the lower two feet of bricks on the structure.
A candlelight tour of the Light Station is offered on some weekends in December, with more information at phmuseum.org.
The Friends of the Fort Gratiot Light host Sandfest to raise funds for Light Station restoration projects. Sandfest is scheduled for August 5th through 7th of 2022.
Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland
