Important Meeting on the Cana Island Lighthouse

MEETING ON CANA ISLAND LIGHTHOUSE PRESERVATION PROJECT

The Door County Maritime Museum & Lighthouse Preservation Society will host a public meeting at the Baileys Harbor Town Hall on Thursday, April 30, at 7 p.m. to unveil details surrounding the preservation project for Cana Island Lighthouse following a grant to the Museum from the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

Clay Bonin, chairman of the Museum Board of Director's Cana Island Committee, will conduct the meeting. He and museum staff will explain the preservation process and the role that the Historic Structures Report will play in identifying rehabilitation work and other priorities needed to enhance the island's historical resources and visitor experience on the island. A Historic Structures Report will provide a roadmap - a planning document for decision-making about all facets of the restoration project. The public is encouraged to attend the presentation to learn the project's status and future plans as well as opportunities for volunteerism on the island.

A $32,075 grant, awarded through the Jeffris Family Foundation and its Wisconsin Projects Fund, represents the seed money for a matching grant to help support the creation of a Historic Structures Report for the lighthouse.

The awarding of the grant is an important first step in the future of the island. Cana Island Lighthouse is a Door County icon. Few places reflect the county's rich maritime heritage like Cana does. It is the Museum's responsibility to preserve that legacy and we are certainly appreciative of the leadership support the Jeffris Family Foundation, its Wisconsin Projects Fund and the National Trust for Historic Preservation have shown in this project.

The Jeffris Family Foundation, under the leadership of Tom Jeffris, established the Wisconsin Projects Fund in an effort to help preserve Wisconsin's architectural history and character. These grants are awarded to nonprofit groups, educational institutions and public agencies and must be matched at least dollar for dollar with public or private funds.