Pensacola Lighthouse repairs complete
- June 28, 2015
- / Staff Reports
- / community-dashboard
The Pensacola Lighthouse and Museum has completed the second phase of its tower restoration.
The nonprofit, Pensacola Lighthouse and Museum, started an extensive restoration of the tower in December of 2013. Phase I, completed in September of 2014, included the removal of elastomeric paint, repair of 350 linear feet of exterior cracks, and the repainting of the 1859 tower.
Phase II, which began in February 2015 and cost $150,000, was designed to stabilize the historic filigree staircase for the protracted restoration efforts.
[caption id="attachment_25363" align="alignright" width="450"]
Phase 2 of repairs to the stair at the Pensacola Lighthouse and Museum are complete. Phase 3 starts in January 2016. Photo credit: Pensacola Lighthouse.[/caption]
“As we receive no government funding, we wanted to ensure the tower would remain open as long as possible; so it would be self-sustaining through the entire restoration… the stairs were in good shape, but we took extra precautions to ensure their longevity.“ said Lighthouse executive director Jon Hill.
In addition to stabilization of the stairs, Phase II included the repair of an 85 foot interior crack.
“This phase was as much preparation for future phases as it was restoration,” Hill said.
The museum contracted Robinson Iron, famous for restoring the Vulcan in Birmingham, Ala. Robinson Iron used a laser to map the stairs, and will use the data to create a 3D map and mold for the new stairs.
“This method is less intrusive and will produce a more accurate mold,” Hill said.
[sidebar]
The Pensacola Lighthouse & Museum offers climbing tours of the landmark 1859 lighthouse.
For more information on the Pensacola Lighthouse and Museum, visit us at pensacolalighthouse.org or call (850) 393-1561.
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This was paid in part by a $50,000 Historic Preservation Grant from the Bureau of Historic Preservation, Division of Historical Resources, Florida Department of State, assisted by the Florida Historical Commission, and a $25,000 grant from the Florida Lighthouse Association.
Next year, Phase 3 of the restoration effort begins next January. With support from state representatives, the museum has secured a $50,000 state grant to continue with the tower restoration.
“As a nonprofit with no support from federal government; we must search for funding through the few available matching grants, earned income and the generous donations our guests,” said Hill.
Phase 2 of repairs to the stair at the Pensacola Lighthouse and Museum are complete. Phase 3 starts in January 2016. Photo credit: Pensacola Lighthouse.[/caption]
“As we receive no government funding, we wanted to ensure the tower would remain open as long as possible; so it would be self-sustaining through the entire restoration… the stairs were in good shape, but we took extra precautions to ensure their longevity.“ said Lighthouse executive director Jon Hill.
In addition to stabilization of the stairs, Phase II included the repair of an 85 foot interior crack.
“This phase was as much preparation for future phases as it was restoration,” Hill said.
The museum contracted Robinson Iron, famous for restoring the Vulcan in Birmingham, Ala. Robinson Iron used a laser to map the stairs, and will use the data to create a 3D map and mold for the new stairs.
“This method is less intrusive and will produce a more accurate mold,” Hill said.
[sidebar]
The Pensacola Lighthouse & Museum offers climbing tours of the landmark 1859 lighthouse.
For more information on the Pensacola Lighthouse and Museum, visit us at pensacolalighthouse.org or call (850) 393-1561.
[/sidebar]
This was paid in part by a $50,000 Historic Preservation Grant from the Bureau of Historic Preservation, Division of Historical Resources, Florida Department of State, assisted by the Florida Historical Commission, and a $25,000 grant from the Florida Lighthouse Association.
Next year, Phase 3 of the restoration effort begins next January. With support from state representatives, the museum has secured a $50,000 state grant to continue with the tower restoration.
“As a nonprofit with no support from federal government; we must search for funding through the few available matching grants, earned income and the generous donations our guests,” said Hill.
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