Thursday, Aug 25, 2005
Beginning on August 15, 2005, the popular Raspberry Island lighthouse in Apostle Islands National Lakeshore will be closed to the public, as a $1.3 million rehabilitation project gets underway. While the lighthouse itself, the dock, and most of the lighthouse grounds will be closed, a small portion of the grounds will remain open for those who wish to hike in from the beach and view the project from a distance. The dock and the area immediately surrounding the lighthouse will remain closed for the rest of this year, and for all of 2006 as well.
“We regret the inconvenience to our visitors, but this is a very important historic preservation project that must begin immediately,” said Apostle Islands National Lakeshore superintendent Bob Krumenaker. “Construction season on the islands is notoriously short, and there is a lot of work to do to reverse the impacts of 150 years of Lake Superior weather on this grand old structure.”
Work will take place on both the interior as well exterior of the building. The interior of the south side of the lighthouse will be restored to its 1920’s appearance, the era the National Park Service has chosen to interpret. On the exterior, the beautiful roof with metal shingles will be redone, deteriorated siding, doors, and windows will be replaced or repaired, and everything will be repainted. Work taking place on and around the foundation will improve drainage at the base of the lighthouse, and utilities serving the structure will be improved or installed.
The National Park Service has awarded the contract to KBK Services, Inc of Ashland, Wisconsin. |
