Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse Restoration Complete. Reopens with Re-Lighting Celebration.
With generous support from the community and a number of grants, the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse restoration is nearing completion this week and will be reopen for Lighthouse climbs on Saturday, June 3rd, 2017. The Lighthouse will once again shine out to sea on Friday evening, June 2nd during a special Re-lighting Celebration thanking supporters who have donated to the preservation project.
With the Light extinguished by special permission from the US Coast Guard, an experienced team of lighthouse preservationist began tackling the hard work of restoring the icon to top condition. The project began with protective encapsulating of the first-order Fresnel lens before 8 people put up the OSHA approved scaffolding system in 2 days to gain full access to the roof.
The team!
The team consisted of historic architect Ken Smith from Ken Smith Architects in Jacksonville, lens conservationist Joe Cocking from Lighthouse Lamp Shop, metalsmith expert Alex Klahm from Architectural Metal and Design and Anthony Houllis from Razorback LLC in Tarpon Springs. Their collective resumes of over 50 lighthouses includes, notables such as Yaquina Head, Ocracoke Island Lighthouse, and Gasparilla Light in Boca Grande.
About the restoration
The meticulous restoration process included a four-coat system that began by careful removal of paint and rust atop the Light. The roof and cupola were striped to bare metal, and then repairs to the roof plates, seams and cupola were made. At $500 per gallon, the coats of long-lasting, high grade black paint and roof repairs are expected to last at least another 20 years or more with minor maintenance. Other repairs included painting the underside of the gallery deck and replacing the wedges, painting the exterior of the Lighthouse just under the gallery, full exterior metal coating to the lens room deck, handrails, and gallery deck.
Alex Klahm and Anthony Houllis explained that even after all their projects, they still get butterflies in their stomachs when they hook up their safety gear and get on top of the lighthouse tower roof. “We have to take our time and purposefully plant our feet in the right position to do the work,” explains Klahm. “Everyone is afraid of falling,” smiles Klahm, “but you focus on your work and not on the height.” Safety is always a top concern and the crew conducted continual safety meetings. “Anyone can stop something that they think is wrong -right away,” comments Klahm. Any issues or problems were addressed immediately by the crew.
Houllis contributed, “We care about lighthouses and do our best job to gain a reputation for top quality. We take pride in doing great work.” One of the things that the team thought was especially unique about Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse is that it was built on a parabolic sand dune and not on flat land like many other Florida Lighthouses. “The guys who built the Lighthouse were like NASA –they were doing really hard things and the feeling of accomplishment really belonged to them. We just repair it,” says Klahm.
The Re-lighting!
A special Re-Light the Light Celebration is planned for Friday night, June 2, 2017 at the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse & Museum. The evening is by invitation only and being held on the Lighthouse Deck as a “thank you” to donors to the Lighthouse Restoration Fund. Re-Light the Light Celebration is supported by Oceana Coffee in Tequesta and The Fresh Market in Jupiter.
Regular climbing tours of the Lighthouse resume on Saturday, June 3rd and regular admission rates apply. Visitors will be able to view the new Keeper’s Workshop exhibit- Keeping the Light at Jupiter Inlet: Adventures in the Lives of Lighthouse Keepers.
About
The Loxahatchee River Historical Society, the nonprofit that operates the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse & Museum, has been awarded grants and donations towards the $152,000 project. These include $40,000 from the Bureau of Land Management, $30,000 grant from the Florida Lighthouse Association, $25,400 from the Loxahatchee Guild, $22,000 from the Town of Jupiter $35,210 from individual donation and foundations.
The Historical Society appreciates support from the community for the continual maintenance of the 1860 Light. To help contribute to our mission, you can become a Lighthouse Member or donate securely online at www.jupiterlighthouse.org. For further information, contact Belle Forino, Development Director at 561-747-8380 x107.
Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse & Museum, Lighthouse Park, 500 Captain Armour’s Way, Jupiter, FL, 33469 PH: 561-747-8380
www.jupiterlighthouse.org Operated by the Loxahatchee River Historical Society a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization celebrating 45 years and partner in the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse Outstanding Natural Area, National Conservation Lands.
