Eagle Bluff Lighthouse opens in Door County as restoration continues

“It’s going to look very different when people come to visit. We started reconstruction on the barn and the summer kitchen that used to be here on property. We actually have the original blueprints from the Lighthouse Service, that we were able to share with an architect, and they drew the construction plans off of that for the barn. And then the summer kitchen, our architect was able to use historical photos and come up with design based on those photos,” said Frank.

Renovations include work inside the lighthouse as well.

“Almost all of the rooms have been completely repainted, so it looks fantastic in there,” said Ed Miller, Eagle Bluff Lighthouse Project Coordinator.

Ed Miller is the restoration project coordinator. He says the wooden frames will get an upgrade.

“They’re going to be restoring every window. Bottom windows are single panes of glass. They used to be divided lights. So they’ve taken some windows out, they’ve got great craftsmen that are going to restore these windows for us,” said Miller.

Lighthouse leaders say restoring Eagle Bluff is important.

“It provides us a glimpse of how life used to be. Especially for the light keepers who lived here, it was a hard life. What that does for our generation, and future generations, is, it gives us a sense of purpose. It reminds us of where we came from, and gives us a way to move forward,” said Frank.

The Eagle Bluff Lighthouse is open seven days a week. Officials are planning a celebration and grand opening to be held next year.