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LIVE WEBCAM at Point Breeze
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Our Goals
The photo at the right shows the reconstructed lighthouse replica June 2010 before painting. The plans for reconstructing this historically accurate replica were engineered by Chatfield Engineers and Thomas Simbari of Simbari Design architects, both of Rochester, NY. The construction contract was awarded to Nathaniel General Contractors of Rochester who began work on the lighthouse in February 2010. Snyder and Snyder, carpenters from the Syracuse, NY area built the structure using old time timber frame methods, Suburban Electric of Albion, NY donated their services for the electrical work, and members of the Oak Orchard Yacht Club have donated the funds for installation of the light.
The Oak Orchard Lighthouse Museum, a not-for-profit corporation provisionally chartered under the New York State Education Department, Board of Regents in November, 2004 has been responsible for raising the funds and arranging for this accomplishment. Through cooperative efforts between the Museum board, Orleans County officials and the NYS Department of Parks, Recreation, & Historic Preservation an agreement was reached permitting the construction and maintenance of the Lighthouse and surrounding elements on a part of the Orleans County Marine Park. The park located at Point Breeze on the east side near the mouth of the Oak Orchard River at Lake Ontario, is owned by the State of New York and leased by Orleans County.
The Oak Orchard Lighthouse, built by community determination, is located on the Great Lakes Seaway Trail, a National Scenic Byway, and the Western Erie Canal Heritage Corridor. Funding has been raised through donations by individuals, families and businesses, fund raising events, and through grants such as the Orleans County Foundation, Molly Lee Foundation, a matching Environmental Protection Fund Grant, and a member item from Senator George Maziarz and Assemblyman Steve Hawley for the benefit of the community, region and New York State.
As part of our continuing commitment to provide historical and educational events for the public, the Museum has presented annual dinners with guest speakers such as Jim Kennard and Dan Scoville, underwater explorers who have discovered many ancient shipwrecks in Lake Ontario near Point Breeze. Historical dramatizations have also been presented at the dinners.
Work remaining on the grounds surrounding the Lighthouse involves relocation of the original fuel building to the site, granted on permanent loan to the Museum by the Cobblestone Museum in Gaines. Additionally, the memorial walkway composed of hundreds of bricks sponsored by donors, will be installed along with a compass rose and benches crafted from Medina Sandstone. The benches were created by internationally known stone craftsman, George Graham, of Batavia, NY. Plans are currently under way to develop an 1812 Bicentennial Art of Peace Children’s Garden with plantings beneficial to migratory bird populations that pass through the area. This garden will be a stop on the Seaway Birding Trail as well as celebrate our history in 2012, along with other international 1812 Bicentennial gardens located around Lake Ontario in Canada and the U.S.
Most importantly a building will be acquired or constructed near Point Breeze to serve as the physical Museum, housing documents, photos, exhibits and memorabilia related to the general and maritime history of Point Breeze, Oak Orchard Harbor, and the surrounding region. The Museum will continue to provide educational programming to the public.
The Board of Trustees of the Oak Orchard Lighthouse Museum meets at 6:30 PM on the third Wednesday of each month except December. Meetings are held at the Carlton Town Hall, 14341 Waterport Carlton Rd., and are open to the public. Please feel free to join us and don’t hesitate to contact us with questions or for more information.
This project has been a community effort and relies on volunteers, fund raising revenue and donations from the public for all phases. Please visit our Gift Shops located at The Downtown Browsery or The Candle Nook both located on East Bank Street in Albion, NY, the Lighthouse Restaurant located on Point Breeze Road (Rt. 98) near Point Breeze, Kent, NY, or support the lighthouse by downloading and mailing in a membership application, brick application, or just a donation.
Hope to see you there!