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More than 120 years of constant use and the neglect the Lighthouse had endured since being decommissioned had left the main structure and quarters in need of extensive repair. The Keeper's Quarters require complete interior renovation and exterior restoration along with a refurbishing and renewal of landscaping. The Lighthouse Tower also required extensive restoration.

Fortunately, dedicated community residents and volunteers developed a plan to not only restore this historic treasure, but to create a new community resource for both children and adults. With your help, North Point Lighthouse Friends will succeed in preserving and maintaining this historic property for your use.

CURRENT USE OF THE LIGHTHOUSE

The Lighthouse Friends operate the Lighthouse Keeper's Quarters as a multi-purpose facility, offering the following:

  • Artifacts, artwork, photographs of old Lake Park and marine memorabilia (including some loaned by the Wisconsin Marine Historical Society and Milwaukee Public Library) will be displayed in the first and second floor meeting rooms, and the lighthouse tower.
  • First floor gallery and one room on the second floor to be available for educational programming, special events and also for neighborhood, community and small business meetings.
  • Docent-led tours of the Keeper's Quarters and the Tower will be available by appointment and during scheduled public hours of operation.

RESTORATION OF THE LIGHTSTATION

The Keeper's Quarters had been boarded up, having been last occupied in 1994. The grounds had become overgrown and unsightly. The landscaping of the grounds needed to be updated. The quarters and the lighthouse tower were restored to an early 1900's character consistent with the surrounding community and the recently renovated Lake Park Pavilion.

THE KEEPER’S QUARTERS

A complete exterior restoration and interior renovation of the quarters was completed in 2007. The interior of the building was redesigned to allow for the uses described above, yielding approximately 1,500 square feet of usable space. The exterior features clapboard siding and architectural detail for an appearance consistent with the circa-1912 Keeper's Quarters. The renewed building is handicap-accessible. There is a 300-square foot porch on the east (lake) side of the quarters, and a new vestibule/principal entrance on the west side and an interior stairway leading to the second floor private offices.

THE LIGHTHOUSE TOWER

Extensive restoration of the Lighthouse Tower was required, including lead paint abatement and taking steel and cast iron compounds down to the bare metal, removing rust and refitting and reglazing portals and windows. The Lighthouse Tower was repainted and lit with decorative lighting on the interior and exterior. A covered passageway, which originally linked the Keeper's Quarters and the Lighthouse, has been restored. Visitors will enter and exit the lighthouse through the covered passageway. The lantern room is open to accommodate the public tours. Although the Lighthouse Tower is not operational, a low-wattage light has been installed at the top of the Tower. The original Fourth-Order Fresnel lens will be exhibited in the Keeper's Quarters. (Expected Spring of 2009)

THE GROUNDS

The entry drive off of Wahl Avenue will be maintained for use as a drop-off for visitors, a service drive and to access a small parking lot (6 cars) on the north side of the driveway for handicapped visitors, staff and volunteers. Benches, lighting and shrubs and flowers will be added to complement and enhance the existing landscaping.
North Point Lighthouse Friends, Inc.

2650 N. Wahl Avenue
Milwaukee, WI 53211

Phone: (414)332-NPLH (6754)
keeper@northpointlighthouse.org

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