Summer events planned to celebrate West Point lighthouse turning 150 years old
'The lighthouse, it's just so majestic... and it's part of the community’
The West Point lighthouse is turning 150 this summer, and plenty of events are planned to mark the occasion.
Construction of the distinct striped square-tapered tower began in 1875. Since then, the western Prince Edward Island landmark has been featured in many tourism promotions as well as on postage stamps.
Joanne Boulter is part of the 15-person committee organizing the anniversary celebrations. She is helping put together an art exhibit for the opening day on June 7, featuring artwork inspired by the iconic lighthouse's history.
"The lighthouse, it's just so majestic — like where it sits — and it's part of the community. It's a pride," she told CBC's Island Morning.
The exhibit will be held at the West Point Harbourside Centre, and Boulter said preparations are going well.
"Some people at our meeting have miniatures that they did of the lighthouse that they are also going to bring to the Harbourside," she said. "I have some paintings, some photos. I also have some wood art. So I want to get the word out and get more."
She encourages anyone with artwork honouring the landmark to reach out through the West Point Lighthouse Inn and Museum's Facebook page.
Posting 150 days of history
To mark the milestone, the lighthouse's Facebook page is sharing daily posts highlighting moments from its past and present. By the time the actual anniversary day arrives, there will have been a total of 150 posts celebrating its long history.
Standing at just over 20.6 metres (67 feet, eight inches) from base to vane, the West Point lighthouse is the tallest lighthouse on the Island.
Its first keeper, William Anderson MacDonald, dedicated 50 years to the job without taking a single day off. One of the social media posts describes how MacDonald once walked more than 70 kilometres to the North Cape lighthouse on the northwestern tip of the Island to seek advice from its keeper.
"He didn't take it lightly," Boulter said.
After MacDonald retired in 1925, Benjamin MacIsaac took over as keeper until 1963, when the lighthouse became automated and no longer required a full-time keeper.
Over the years, stories have circulated about the lighthouse being haunted by its former keepers.
She turned the light out and went to leave, and then the light was back on. So she went back in and turned it off, came back out and went to leave, and the light was back on.— Joanne Boulter
"My mom used to volunteer there. And there was a story that she turned the light out and went to leave, and then the light was back on," Boulter said.
"So she went back in and turned it off, came back out and went to leave, and the light was back on.
"She decided, if they want it on, she'll leave it on."
Bringing back traditions
The lighthouse has seen changes over the years.
It was originally painted red and white, but in 1915, the red stripes were changed to black because black was more resistant to fading, Boulter said.
She adds that the site also once had a small chowder house, which eventually grew into a popular restaurant.
In addition to the art exhibit, this summer's celebrations will include a dinner theatre production called Willie and Bennie: Beacons of Light, which tells the stories of the lighthouse's longest-serving keepers. The production is currently in development.
Boulter said the committee is also working on bringing back summer festival traditions, including boat races and fireworks.
With files from Island Morning