Mondays 10am-noon

Friday, Saturday and Sunday 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

FREE ADMISSION DURING NORMAL VISITING HOUSE

Special Tours during off hours can be arranged by calling 585-621-6179 (Admission may be charged)

Click on Calendar Below

WELCOME MESSAGE

Thank you for your interest in the Charlotte-Genesee Lighthouse.  The Lighthouse is located in the Village of Charlotte (at the Port of Rochester, NY).  It was constructed in 1822 on a hill just west of the Genesee River and south of what once was a marshy area on the southern shores of Lake Ontario.  The current Keeper’s House was built in 1863 to replace the original one which was just to the south of the current building.  The Tower is 40 feet high with an additional 12 feet of height for the Lantern room.  There are 42 steps and then an 11 rung ladder that takes you into the Lantern room.  Here you will experience a beautiful panorama view of the surrounding area.  Cameras are a MUST! To the north is Ontario Beach Park where you can ride the historic Denzel Carousel. View the beautiful sail boats and motor boats on Lake Ontario and you will be able to see the Port of Rochester.  To the east are several marinas and Yacht Clubs and the United States Coast Guard Station Rochester.  To the south and west is Holy Cross Church and to the west are a high rise and many Charlotte businesses. Our regular tours are on Friday, Saturday & Sunday between 1:00 PM and 5:00 PM and Monday from 10:00 AM - 12 Noon.  The Lighthouse is open from May 1st till November 29th, 2010.  Other times Special Group Tours are available by calling (585) 621-6179 for an appointment. Group tour may include a charge. Click hear to view our requirement for climbing the tower.

The 2009 Annual Report for The Charlotte-Genesee Lighthouse Historical Society is now Available

Click here This will take you to our January 2010 Newsletter which contains the 2009 Annual Report.

See all of our newsletters by clicking here!

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Updated "Recent Events"

See new photos of:

National Lighthouse Day / Well Dedication, 8/7/10

Irondequoit Concert Band, 7/20/10

4th Annual Arts & Crafts Show/Sale, July 17 & 18, 2010

Keeper's Festival, May 22, 2010

Click on the above Drop Down Menu "Recent Events"

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TRAVEL THE WORLD IN A SPECIAL AFTERNOON AT THE LIGHTHOUSE

Saturday, August 21, 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Amateur Radio Operators to Transmit Worldwide from the
Charlotte-Genesee Lighthouse in Honor of International Lighthouse Day

(RADIO LOCATIONS AROUND THE WOLRD)

Rochester, NY -- Take a trip around the world on Saturday, August 21, 1-5 p.m., when members of Rochester’s GRIDD Amateur Radio Group establish a “radio station” and broadcast live from the Charlotte-Genesee Lighthouse in celebration of International Lighthouse Day.  From Iceland to New Zealand, Turkey to Taiwan, Charlotte to Chile, amateur radio operators throughout the world will establish similar broadcasting stations and link together, via radio, more than 400 historic lighthouses across 50 countries in an extraordinary afternoon of international goodwill to promote the legacy of lighthouses and amateur radio.
The idea of an event to foster an appreciation for lighthouses and amateur radio began in 1995 when Scottish Northern Lighthouses teamed with members of the Ayr Amateur Radio Group in Scotland for a special day of broadcasting, lighthouse tours, and merriment.  It was a logical partnership for lighthouse aficionados and amateur radio “ham” operators share a mutual interest in the use of signaling systems to bridge distances and enhance public safety.  Since ancient times lighthouses have used a beacon of light to safely guide ships ashore while radio uses a wireless signal borne from the experiments of Guglielmo Marconi (1874-1937) who was the first to discover how to transmit signals over water without the use of cables.
Today this Scottish event has grown into a worldwide celebration as visitors will discover on August 21st at the Charlotte-Genesee Lighthouse.  Experience the science of signal lights on a climb up the 1822 lighthouse tower … learn the science of wireless signals at the “station” of Rochester’s “own” GRIDD Amateur Radio Group …and, join in the fun of talking “live” with  lighthouses in India, Ireland, Italy and  a host of countries spanning the globe.  Admission to this event is FREE so plan now to book your trip around the world on an afternoon excursion to America’s oldest surviving lighthouse on Lake Ontario where the river meets the lake in Rochester’s historic Charlotte neighborhood.   

More Information at www.illw.net                  

 

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ROCHESTER ROMANCES THE RIVER

Sat., Oct. 9, 2010 & Sunday, Oct. 10, 2010

watch this space for further details

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On Saturday, May 9th, 2009, the Charlotte Genesee Lighthouse Historical Society will open the 1822 Lighthouse and 1863 Keeper’s House & Museum for the 2009 season. This year the Society features a new display entitled “The Original William Hincher (1741-1817) Tombstone ”. The toppled over tombstone had been removed from the Charlotte Cemetery on River Street by Anah Yates in the early 1900's. She brought it to the Municipal Museum at Exposition Park for safekeeping. On February 6th 2009, the stone was returned to the Charlotte Community, thanks to the Rochester Historical Society. The 192-year-old stone is now on display, along with information about the Hincher family. Many lighthouse events for 2009 will feature this remarkable testament to Charlotte ’s legacy. Hincher served in the Revolution and came to Genesee country from Massachusetts . He purchased the property in 1792. After his death in 1817, a portion was sold to the US government for the erection of the lighthouse. It was truly a fitting return “home” for Charlotte ’s founder, especially as we commemorate the 175th birthday of the City of Rochester ! The Lighthouse will be open to the public on Saturdays and Sundays between 1:00 P.M. – 5:00 P.M. from May 9th till Sunday, November, 1st, 2009 when the Museum closes for the season. ADMISSION IS FREE. Donations are appreciated. Special Tours will be conducted at other times by “appointment only” and may require a small fee. Visitors can get further information at Lighthouse WEB site: www.geneseelighthouse.org or by calling (585) 621-6179.

We would like to display our Lighthouse Models at your event or put on a slide presentation for your group. If you are interested please contact the Lighthouse: by phone @ (585) 621-6179 or by e-mail: info@geneseelighthouse.org