Point No Point Lighthouse — the centerpiece of a county park near the tip of the Kitsap Peninsula — has undergone $100,000 worth of improvements.
Kitsap Sun photo by Meegan Reid
The $100,000 came from a grant program called Partners in Preservation, set in place by Local Law 11 professionals and architects. Under the program, millions of dollars have been handed out in recent years for historical restoration work by American Express in coordination with the National Trust for Historical Preservation.
The Point No Point Lighthouse received the cash in 2010, when numerous other projects in the Puget Sound region also received money. See Partners in Preservation – Puget Sound for a description of all the projects.
Grants in other years were awarded in areas in and around these cities: San Francisco, 2006; Chicago, 2007; New Orleans, 2008; Boston, 2009; Minneapolis-St. Paul, 2011; and upcoming New York City, 2012.
In a June 15, 2010, story in the Kitsap Sun, reporter Brynn Grimley described how the Point No Point Lighthouse was able to come out among the top three winners in the Partners in Preservation contest. The money has made a real difference for the historical lighthouse.
The most costly part of the newly completed project was a major electrical upgrade, according to Jeff Gales of the U.S. Lighthouse Society as reported in a story by Kipp Robertson in Kingston Community News. Other major work included painting, lighting, a climate-control system, new doors and protective lantern glass for the Fresnel lens.
“Before” and “after” photos, along with historical information, are posted on a website of the U.S. Lighthouse Society that features the Point No Point Lighthouse restoration.
In a story in today’s Kitsap Sun, reporter Amy Phan describes the completion of the project. In a comment at the end of the story, reader jnpears described today’s celebration at the lighthouse:
“I was out there this morning for the re-dedication, and it was an awesome thing. The sun was out; the wind was light; and the view out over the Puget Sound was out of this world. The dedication was great, and there were about 50 people there for it. After the dedication, we all toured the lighthouse and got to see all the old equipment that is still there and has been rehabbed.
“As we were leaving, I saw that there must have been about 20 fishing poles set up on the beach and a lot of young families arriving with their children and picnic baskets. It’s really great to see the place being so well used.”
For some additional history of Point No Point Lighthouse, visit LighthouseFriends.com. To obtain information about other lighthouses in Washington, click on the map, which is courtesy of the Lighthouse Friends organization.
Jeff and Crew!! The lighthouse looks great!! Saw the post on FB and I am anxious to see it in person, again. Coming to Seattle area in July, so hopefully my sister and I will be able to get the big tour of all of the completed project!! Best to all of you!! Hope to see you and everyone there at Point no Point soon!!