Keeper's House Almost Complete

Construction of the Lighthouse Keeper's House next to the Cape St. George Light is almost complete, and design work on the Phase I museum exhibits has begun.

The stairs to the back door of the house were recently completed by volunteers Mason Bean, Jim Dunkin, Jim Kemp, and Dennis Barnell, and the hand railing will be added this week.  Once this work is complete, the building will be ready for a final inspection and a Certificate of Occupancy will be issued.

The lighthouse keepers of old would feel right at home in the beautiful interior of the house.  Walls are covered with whitewashed tongue-and-groove paneling, and the heart pine floors are finished in a natural color.  Fireplaces are constructed of original lighthouse bricks.  Nautical style brass lanterns flank the front door.  Only the interior track lighting to illuminate museum exhibits gives away the fact that this is not a 19th century keeper's residence!

Museum displays will focus on the need for a lighthouse near the cotton port of Apalachicola, the history of the lighthouse, and the lives of the keepers who tended the light.  A central kiosk will feature a keeper's uniform donated by former Florida Lighthouse Association President Stan Farnham.  Exhibits in Phase I of the museum will fill the first floor west room of the house, with a small gift shop occupying the first floor east room.  Phase II exhibits will be located upstairs, along with a meeting room and storage space.

Plans are to have Phase I of the museum and gift shop completed for an opening in Spring 2011.

Preliminary sketch of museum exhibit displaying artifacts from the 1852 lighthouse.

Posted by Administrator - Monday, 02/14/11, 04:54 PM - Comments - Category: News