Presque Isle Township Museum Society

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Presque Isle Township Museum Society

We tell the story of the 1840 and 1870 lighthouses, Presque Isle Township's rich maritime history, a

06/20/2026

Today, we are talking history- 135 years ago!

On this day in 1891, a 24-year-old Thomas Garrity was appointed Head Keeper at the New Presque Isle Lighthouse—earning an annual salary of $600. Thomas was certainly no stranger to the job. He grew up at the Presque Isle lighthouses, learning the ropes from his parents before officially serving as Assistant Keeper under his father, Patrick Sr., from 1884 to 1887, before moving up to Head Keeper at the Presque Isle Harbor Range Lights. Thomas dedicated 51 years of his life to guiding mariners safely along the Lake Huron shores until his retirement in 1935. Today, we salute his incredible legacy.

Spot him in this 1885 photo: back row, second from the left!

06/17/2026

Another lilac and lighthouse picture coming your way! Lilac season is too short to pass up the chance to capture this stunning lilac bush and the Old Lighthouse. The colors, the breeze, the view... it's absolute perfection!

Photo Credit: Mary Tagliareni

06/16/2026

We had some very special guests at the 1905 Keeper’s House today! Girl Scout Troop 50777 made the trip from Ohio to hang out with us and dive into some lighthouse history.

Our amazing volunteers—Joni Rogers, and Mary and Nick Tagliareni—set up some fun interactive stations for the girls. Here’s a peek at what they learned and experienced:
✨ Lighthouse Herstory: They discovered the incredible lives and work of Mary, Anna, and Kate Garrity at our Presque Isle Lighthouses leading one scout to proudly declare, “Women can do anything!” 💪
⏳ Step Back in Time: They got a taste of what daily life was really like living in the Keeper’s House in the early 1900s.
📐 Hands-on Science: They put their STEM skills to the test, measuring the height of the Lighthouse using just a protractor and a straw!
☀️ Optical Magic: Using magnifying glasses, acrylic Fresnel lenses, and a little help from the sun, they saw firsthand how a Fresnel lens focuses and magnifies light.

To top it all off, they climbed the Old Lighthouse! A huge shoutout and thank you to Cindy Hudson for making the climb possible. 🪜⚓

Thank you for visiting us, Troop 50777! You're welcome back anytime!

Learn more about Girl Scout Michigan Lighthouse Patches- https://www.presqueislelighthouses.org/books-and-more/girl-scout-michigan-lighthouse-patches

06/13/2026

⚓️💜 Some things just go together...
Milk and cookies 🥛🍪
Shoes and socks 👟🧦
And our absolute favorite... lilacs and lighthouses 🪻⚓️

Drop a picture of lilacs, your favorite lighthouse, or lilacs and lighthouses below! 👇

06/06/2026

Looking for expert fishing advice or a beautiful slice of local history, stop by the 1905 Keeper's House Museum to see this 1945 hand-drawn map of Grand Lake and the surrounding area.

We are incredibly grateful to Cincinnati resident Brandon Cordes for his generous donation of this fascinating piece of local history: created by his grandfather, Walter W. Cordes, in 1945!

From the 1920s through the 1950s, the Cordes family were fixtures of the Presque Isle community, building a family cottage on Grand Lake near the area locally known as “the dip.” Walter Cordes wasn't just a community member; he was an avid fisherman who knew these waters like the back of his hand. His 1945 map is an absolute masterclass in local lore, featuring:
• Expert Fishing Tips: Detailed instructions on the best trolling spots for black bass, pickerel, northern pike, and yellow perch.
• Insider Secrets: Preferred bait selections and the most productive areas for casting or still fishing.
• Practical Guideposts: Notes on the best swimming beaches, scenic walking paths, and even a heads-up on where the local porcupines liked to hang out!

Brandon remembered his grandfather as a man of incredible talents. Walter was:
• A WWI bomber pilot who served in Italy and France, earning the prestigious French Croix de Guerre for distinguished service.
• A talented musician and artist.
• A skilled architect who designed many notable buildings in Cincinnati, as well as our very own Grand Lake Chapel!

We are deeply honored to preserve this colorful record of the Cordes family legacy and the vibrant history of Grand Lake.

Visit the Walter W. Cordes Archive at https://www.presqueislelighthouses.org/lighthouses/walter-w-cordes-archive

05/29/2026

What a PERFECT day at the Lighthouses!

You couldn't ask for better conditions—blue skies, crystal blue water, and absolutely gorgeous weather! Today, we had the pleasure of hosting two amazing groups-

20 awesome students from Sanborn Elementary, along with their wonderful teachers and chaperones AND a beautiful family of 21 from Ohio and Pennsylvania, celebrating their matriarch’s 60th birthday with an epic road trip to our little corner of the world!

The Sanborn students have been diving deep into our Michigan Lighthouse History Lesson Plans. After wrapping up 9 classroom lessons using our educational travel bins, they brought their learning to life today! They tackled 4 hands-on activity stations at the New Lighthouse, including the ultimate highlight—a climb to the very top of the tower!

🙌 A HUGE thank you to ALL of our incredible volunteers! Your hard work made today an unforgettable experience for these kids. We couldn't do it without you!

Lesson Plans: https://www.presqueislelighthouses.org/books-and-more/3rd-grade-lesson-plans

05/22/2026

📸 CALLING ALL PHOTOGRAPHERS! 📸
It’s time to dust off your lenses, chase the perfect light, and capture the magic of Presque Isle, MI! The Presque Isle Lighthouses Annual Photo Contest is officially OPEN!

Whether you’re a seasoned pro, an amateur hobbyist, or just happened to snap the perfect smartphone shot while visiting, we want to see your best work.
🗓️ Contest Dates
• Starts: May 22
• Ends: September 7

🏆 Two Divisions to Enter
You can submit your stunning shots in two distinct categories:
• New Lighthouse Division
• Old Lighthouse Division

Show us how you see these historic landmarks—whether it's framed by a glorious sunrise, wrapped in morning fog, or capturing a unique architectural angle.

Winners will receive bragging rights, feature spots on our page, and 1st place juried winners in both Divisions will receive a print of their winning photo. graciously donated by B. B. Wolf - Fine Art Photography. Thank you, Bev Wolf!

📲 How to Enter:
Ready to share your masterpiece? Click the link below to view the official rules, submission guidelines, and submit your photos!
👉 https://www.presqueislelighthouses.org

Tag your favorite photography buddies in the comments below and let the friendly competition begin! Good luck! 👇

05/19/2026

Opening Day is this Friday, May 22!!

Hours for the Lighthouses and 1905 Keeper's House are at https://www.presqueislelighthouses.org/visit/hours

05/16/2026

Quick reminder- if you want to hear about new projects we are planning for this year, or if you may be interested in volunteering with the Museum Society, join us tomorrow (Saturday, May 16) from 10 - 11 am in the Banner Room at the Grand Lake Library.

We are looking for folks to work two 2.5 hr. shifts a month from Memorial Day to Labor Day (you pick the shifts that work for you) as greeters in the 1905 Keeper’s House Museum. It is a great opportunity to meet visitors from around the world and share your L❤VE of Presque Isle and our lighthouses.

If you can't make it tomorrow- please email Joni Rogers at [email protected] or leave Joni a message at 989.787.0814.
https://www.presqueislelighthouses.org

05/11/2026

Happy Birthday to the man who saved a thousand ships!

If you’re a fan of lighthouses, you’ve heard of a Fresnel Lens. Born on this day in 1788, Augustin Jean Fresnel, invented the catadioptric (reflective/refractive) Fresnel lens and pioneered the use of "stepped" lenses to extend the visibility of lighthouses.

Over the years, the lantern room at Presque Isle’s New Lighthouse has housed three distinct Fresnel lenses: the original 3rd Order “beehive” lens from 1870 to 2003, 8 acrylic Fresnel lens panels in the VRB-25 Beacon from 2003 to 2022, and an acrylic 360° (cylindrical) Fresnel lens in the VLB-44 Beacon that is currently installed.

New Presque Isle Lighthouse 3rd Order Fresnel Lens Facts
Installed: 1870
Removed: 2003
Fabricated in France
Focal length: 19.69” (500 mm)
Height: 62” (1.58 m)
Weight 1,965 pounds (891.31 kg)
In 2012, after being restored it was placed on display in the entrance of the 1870 Keeper's House.

Address

4500 E Grand Lake Road
Presque Isle, MI
49777

Telephone

(989) 787-0814

Website

https://presqueislelighthouses.org/

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