Charlotte-Genesee Lighthouse of Rochester, NY

Welcome to the OFFICIAL WEB site of The CHARLOTTE-GENESEE LIGHTHOUSE HISTORICAL SOCIETY

America's Oldest Surviving Lighthouse on Lake Ontario

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SPRING IS HERE!

SPRING

WELCOME MESSAGE

Thank you for your interest in the Charlotte-Genesee Lighthouse. The Lighthouse is located in the former Village of Charlotte (at the Port of Rochester, NY). We are now open for the 2012 season with new displays both inside and outside the museum. If you are in the area and unable to make the normal operating hours and would like a special tour, please call us at the number above.

The tower 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 1905 Denzel Carousel. View the beautiful sail boats, motor boats and catch the cement boat coming into the port of Rochester. To the east are several marinas, Rochester Yacht Club, the Genesee Yacht Club and the United States Coast Guard Station Rochester. To the south west is Holy Cross Church and to the west are a high rise apartments and many Charlotte businesses. Requirements for visitors to enter the museum and climbing the tower can been read by clicking on the following link:

Click hear for New Tour Regulations if you are climbing the Tower

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NOW ON DISPLAY AT THE LIGHTHOUSE

May 4th through September 17th

Lincoln Photo

Lincoln and New York, the traveling version of the New-York Historical Society’s award-winning exhibition, makes its debut at the Charlotte-Genesee Lighthouse. The exhibition opened at the New-York Historical Society in 2009 and was adapted to travel in panel format so that the newest scholarship about New York’s central role in the Lincoln story, and in turn, Lincoln’s influence as a leading player in the life of New York, could be shared.

“The Lincoln and New York exhibition was a popular destination while on view at the New-York Historical Society, and we are thrilled by the opportunity to share this work with the Charlotte-Genesee Lighthouse Historical Society,” stated New-York Historical Society President & CEO Louise Mirrer. Added Robert L. Owens, Lighthouse Society President: “Lincoln’s interest in river commerce began as a teenager navigating flatboats and included inventing a device for buoying vessels over shoals, making him the only U.S. president to hold a patent. While he never visited Charlotte’s lighthouse, Lincoln would have felt a sense of place at our site astride the Genesee River and its port.”

Visitors who are familiar with Lincoln will be startled to see and learn so much that is new. The Lincoln and New York traveling exhibition probes the myths and controversies surrounding Abraham Lincoln. Starting with the iconic Mathew Brady image of the candidate without his beard, the exhibition follows Lincoln’s earliest efforts to gain the blessing of the political and journalistic leaders of New York for a presidential run. Reproductions of rare period artifacts and caricatures show the political passions of the day, depicting the rising impact of the media and the first racial scare tactics used in a national political campaign. Original research explores New York’s influence on the Civil War, the effects of emancipation, and the promotion of Lincoln’s persona as he evolved from an obscure Illinois politician to a national martyr.

Enhancing the exhibition will be the Lighthouse’s display on the history of Charlotte and the Port of the Genesee during the Civil War. From supplying the troops … guarding the city against the potential of invasion should England side with the Confederacy … to policing for those attempting to evade the draft by going to Canada, the Port witnessed the only military action to occur in Greater Rochester during this tumultuous period in America’s history.

Admission to the exhibition is FREE with regular admission ($3-Adults and Senior Citizens; Free for those under 18) and includes a personally guided tour to the top of America’s oldest surviving lighthouse tower on Lake Ontario. Open Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, Mondays, 1-5 p.m. from May 4th-September 17th. After the exhibition departs, the Lighthouse will remain open for regular visitation (same days and hours) through November 26th.

The Lincoln and New York traveling exhibition is made possible by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities and with grant funds from the U.S. Department of Education Underground Railroad Educational and Cultural (URR) program.

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MARINE HISTORY GROUP SCHEDULE

Saturday, May 12, 2012, 10:00 a.m. - noon

All meetings held at the Charlotte-Genesee Lighthouse on the 2nd Saturday of the month unless otherwise noted.

70 Lighthouse St., in the 1st floor museum.

The event is FREE and open to the public.

Agenda:

Learn how a Charlotte resident came upon some photos about the Miller Boat Yard. Bring your photos or information that you can share about the boat yard.

Jim Kennard, if not searching for ship wrecks would like to address the group about some of the ships he has found and others that he is still looking for. Visit his website is @: www.shipwreckworld.com

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VILLAGE HISTORY GROUP MEETING

Saturday, May 19, 2012; 10am - noon

All meetings held at the Charlotte-Genesee Lighthouse on the 3rd Saturday of the month unless otherwise noted.

70 Lighthouse St., in the 1st floor museum.

The event is FREE and open to the public.

Agenda:

Round Table Discussion

Bring in your Charlotte History or questions!

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RECENT EVENTS NEWLY ADDED FEBRUARY 14, 2012

CLICK HERE TO SEE THEM

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SPECIAL PROJECT UPDATE

THE WAR OF 1812 BICENTENNIAL PEACE GARDEN TRAIL

The Bicentennial Peace Garden Trail is designed to attract international visitors as well as residents of this historic region to experience and enjoy the natural beauty that these gardens provide while commemorating the peace that has existed between Canada and the United States over the past 200 years.

THE LIGHTHOUSE GARDEN IS ONE OF SEVENTEEN INTERNATIONAL GARDENS

Save the Date!

June 23, 2012, 2:30 p.m. Dedication Ceremony

Panel 1 Display

(SAMPLE PANEL: ONE OF FOUR PANELS EACH REPRESENTING AN EVENT IN CHARLOTTE)

To learn more about the International Peace Gardens

Click Here! or type in 1812.ipgf.org in your browser.

July 1, 2011

PeaceGarden Stone

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OCHS FLAG POLL & GARDEN IMPROVEMENTS

August 26, 2011

Peace Garden Update

August 8, 2011

Peace Garden Update

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Updated "Recent Events"

See new photos of(scroll down screen):

"Lighthouse Table at Winter Fest 2012, Rochester, Terminal"- Sat., Feb. 12, 2012

"Mr. & Mrs. Todd & Michelle Korol Wedding @ Lighthouse" - Sat., Aug. 27, 2011

"Mr. & Mrs. Mark Klein Wedding @ Lighthouse" - Sat., Aug. 20, 2011

"International Lighthouse Weekend" - August 20 & 21, 2011

"Annual Meeting / Volunteer of the Year Award" - August 11, 2011

"Arts & Crafts Show / Sale" -July 16 & 17, 2011

"Irondequoit Concert Band & Alphorn of Western NY" - July 19, 2011

"Harbor & Carousel Fest" - June 24, 25 & 26, 2011

"United Way Day of Caring - Excellus Volunteers" - May 11, 2011

"Bootlegging on Lake Ontario during prohibition" - Feb. 12, 2011

Lighthouse Volunteers at Charlotte Winterfest Feb. 13, 2011

Ghost Stories / Halloween - Oct. 29, 2010

National Lighthouse Day / Well Dedication, Aug. 7, 2010

Irondequoit Concert Band, July 20, 2010

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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On Permanent Display:

CLICK HERE TO VIEW A PREVIEW OF THE TIMELINE

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Community Outreach Program

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

SUPPORT YOUR ASSOCIATION

Just like any nonprofit, the Charlotte Genesee Lighthouse depends on your generosity to help sustain its work. Become a Member. Click here!