The future continues to look bright for the Buffalo Lighthouse, the historic landmark that has adorned the waterfront for 180 years. The public will get a rare chance to tour the structure on Saturday.
The Buffalo Lighthouse Association is putting the finishing touches on a $650,000 restoration project that has taken over two decades to complete. Association president Mike Vogel says the public can see the improvements during open tours tomorrow from noon until four.
"Getting into the tower is a little bit of a different story because it is 50 stone steps and a spiral staircase going up that narrows toward the top and then three ships ladders," Vogel explained.
"So, I need at least four volunteers in the tower at any time for safety reasons at each of the landings. That doesn't allow us to open the tower all that frequently."
One improvement to the structure is temporarily providing some extra space in the tower. The old lens has been removed from atop the lighthouse while a new 650-pound lens is being made in Florida.
Active use of the lighthouse stopped in 1914. In 1984 the structure was designated for the National Register of Historic Places. A $5 donation is asked from those wishing to tour the tower. It's part of an afternoon of events on the grounds around the structure.
For more information http://www.buffalolight.org/home.html