In the 1870s the Federal Gov. built a wooden lighthouse at the end of the west pier extending from the mouth of Oak Orchard Harbor located on the shore of Lake Ontario in Oleans County, NY. The Oak Orchard Lighthouse existed on that pier until a storm toppled it into the harbor in 1916. A group of interested people have formed the Oak Orchard Lighthouse Museum dedicated to rebuilding an historically accurate full scale replica of the lighthouse to be located on NY State Park land near the Oak Orchard Harbor. The Museum will also serve as an educational resource for students and others interested in finding out about the history of the area surrounding the Oak Orchard Harbor. We are currently raising funds for reconstruction and are open to any and all suggestions or inquiries about our project. My name is Dick Anderson and I am Vice President of the State Chartered Museum. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Welcome to the Collector Forums, Dick. Sounds like you are well on your way to your goal of building the replica. You certainly have done well getting the important foundation laid for your project.

Do you intend to use the interior of the light as a museum / interpretive center with displays? Or, are you going to work on having displays somewhwere else in the park or in the community?

It will be great to watch as you make progress on your project. Be sure to keep us updated.

Unfortunately the base of our lighthouse, which is identical to the original, is only about 13 ft by 13 ft and we can't use the next two levels for anything other than the light and possibly storage because they are accessed by a ships ladder. We are in contact with a couple who have bought an old restaurant right next to the light house site. They do not plan on re-opening a restaurant but rather using it for "personal" use. They have expressed some interest in having the lighthouse museum and gift shop occupy a portion of their building. We're keeping our fingers crossed.

Dick

This sounds really cool! I love the Lake Ontario area, and I'll make a trip up there when it's done for sure! It looks great, and it sounds like you guys are dedicated to making a true replica, instead of a "replica."

Please do keep us posted!