I have just moved to Manassas, Va from Liverpool, NY. Was just wondering if anyone is near my area on the Forum. I tired looking in the directory, but there are just too many of us! I would appreciated hearing from any of you. I have enjoyed being a member for the last 3 years (?)
and I am looking forward to seeing all the lights around here.

Hi Sheryl,

I live a little bit of distance from you, but I'm in Central Virginia (Midlothian).

Have you had an opportunity to visit the Norfolk area yet?

It is loaded with lighthouses, a lightship, a restored Life Saving Station, a fabulous maritime museum at Newport News and lots & lots of maritime history.

Then there is Colonial Williamsburg not far from there... and Jamestown. No lighthouses, but a wonderful place to visit. Yorktown is also in the area, and the Coast Guard has a warehouse there that is full of Fresnel lenses.

I'm planning a repeat, repeat, visit to Assateaque lighthouse in a couple of weeks...pretty place in the fall!

Virginia is a great state for lighthouse lovers!

Judy

Sheryl, to add to my above enthusiam for the great maritime state of Virginia,

when you have some time, visit the Chesapeake Society's mapping page http://www.cheslights.org/heritage.htm

There, you can get a good handle on the Maryland lights that are near you, and any of the Virginia lights. They have done an excellent job with directions.

Judy

Chesapeake Bryan lives in NoVa.

Judy, at Yorktown the CG actually maintains a schoolhouse full on Fresnels. It is at the USCG Reserve Training Center just down the road from the Yorktown visitor center. The schoolhouse is actually the ANT school. Several years ago my daughter and I visited and it was great. We had a nice visit with the OIC of the school when he saw us scoping out the display. He was very proud of the collection they had amassed, and noted that the only size missing was a 3 1/2.

Dave

Wow! Is this schoolhouse open to the public, by appointment, etc? I would LOVE to see that...

I thought I'd read that you were moving Sheryl but then I was wondering if I'd just dreamed it.

Sorry to see you leave (especially now that the snow season is approaching, lol! )

Best of luck in your new home! I'm sure you'll make lots of new friends and find lots of new adventures, including lighthouses of course.

And don't you worry about missing the snow season. I lived for eight years in Dale City, Va which is about 20 miles from you and we had plenty of snow and a lot of ice storms in those eight years. The largest snow fall was 26-28 inches during a 2 day period in 1983. Don't throw you snow shovels away.

The ANT schoolhouse at Yorktown was open to visit 4 years ago when we were there (I also have the advantage of having a military ID to get on the station.) I would presume if you contacted the school ahead of time you should be able to schedule a visit to the school. There is also a large outside display of navigational aids.

Here is a previous thread where lens were discussed and I posted a couple pictures. One of the lenses should be familiar to everyone . . . . . If I get ambitious I will see if I can find those photos and scan some more to post. The display is well worth the visit if you are in the area.

Dave

I so appreciate hearing from all of you. Sounds like there are alot of things to do and see here.
Of course the most important, the Lighthouses. I
have seen the two Cape Henry lights, but that is it. Will have to venture out to all those other things you have informed me of.

Thanks Mombo, I do like it here, but will miss all of my fellow lighthouse buddies in the club.
Seems like I just missed a few trips before I moved.

And I'm not worried about missing the snow. I came from a place that 150 inches is the norm, so 26 is a breeze. I still do have my snow shovel.

Thanks again and I am so glad to have the forum as a friend.

Sheryl,

You have several lighthouses in very easy striking distance from your new neighborhood. Closest is Jones Point in Alexandria, and Fort Washington across the river in MD. Go to the Chesapeake Chapter web page and download the file for the MD lighthouse challenge - it will give you driving directions to the MD lights.

You should also join the Chesapeake Chapter as the newsletter alone is well worth the small investment. You can get involved in several great lighthouse preservation and other work projects with the chapter. A few years ago I was able to re-work a trip to the area to help them work at Fort Washington. It was a wonderful day with some great people. They also help with the Chesapeake Lightship and Seven Foot Knoll Light in Baltimore and work several projects (including lens restoration) with the USCG.

Have fun!

Thanks, Dave I will surely do as you have suggested. Looking forward to seeing the area.

Sheryl, I agree with Dave's suggestion to join the Chesapeake Chapter. They are a great bunch of hard working lighthouse lovers. Their trips always look like fun (I've only ever made it to 1 but am hoping to make more next year) and they have ample opportunities for volunteering.

Hope you have fun exploring your new area!

Sheryl,

I can only duplicate the things that Shirin has already shared about the Chesapeake Society. They ARE a great group of folks.

They have things going on constantly that would allow you to be involved to whatever degree you like.

I suggest that you explore their website, particularly, the trips & meetings section. Just going one time on a group trip will allow you to meet many of the people involved in lighthousing in your area. You'll learn lots about the group, and make many new friends right off the bat.

Hoping I get to meet you too!

Judy Also a member of the Chesapeake Society!

Judy, I think I am member of the Chesapeake Chapter or I was? Better look into it. I remember joining when I was going to do the MD Challenge with my buddy Eskilady. But unfortunately I moved here that weekend. Also did belong to NELL & OuterBanks. Guess I better get on the ball and re-up. Yes they do have some great trips and meetings. I had hoped they would still be having them so I could try to make one.
But there is always next year. In the mean time I will explore on my own.

Oh Sheryl...please check those memberships!

And if not...let's re-up you

Judy

Sheryl,

If you're looking for the local Collector's Club, drop me an email and I'll send you the info for Beacons of the Bay.

I live in McLean, which is about 20 miles from Manassas. I am a member of the CC-USLHS, the NJLHS and the Beacons of the Bay.

Robert

This is neat...a bunch of folks here live in Virginia!

Judy

Yes I have always found the Forum to be like one bigh happy family. I have never gone wrong asking any question or for directions from the Forum. When I did the NY Challenge I met a few plus I went on a cruise off Long Island before I moved and what a great time. Lighthouse lovers are great!