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Contact: Chuck Lawson, 305-230-1144, x067
Biscayne National Park will receive a $35,000 gift from the Florida Keys Reef Lights Foundation and the Florida Lighthouse Association to begin the initial stages of stabilization work for the iconic Fowey Rocks Lighthouse. Ownership of the lighthouse was transferred to the park by the U.S. Coast Guard in October, 2012. Both the Florida Keys Reef Lights Foundation and the Florida Lighthouse Association are not-for-profits made up of citizen activists dedicated to the preservation of the six Florida Keys Reef Lighthouses as well as 24 other remaining historic lighthouses that line Florida's 1,350-mile coastline. Their mission is to preserve, restore, protect and defend Florida's lighthouse towers, along with their material culture, buildings, artifacts and records to assure that the magic of Florida's lighthouses and lighthouse keepers will be available for the enjoyment and understanding of future generations. First lit in 1878 and still guiding mariners today, the offshore Fowey Rocks Lighthouse has a rich maritime history that the National Park Service hopes to protect and share with the American public for many years to come. However, the iron lighthouse structure has suffered many years in a merciless offshore environment and is in need of repairs and stabilization. The park is pleased to accept the donation and will be doing so with dramatic effect aboard a vessel adjacent to the Fowey Rocks Light this Sunday afternoon, April 14. |
Last updated: April 14, 2015