Edited 7/16
A ribbon cutting was held Saturday as a line of people stretching nearly a-half-mile waited patiently to get a personal look at the renovated North Pier Lighthouse in the Manitowoc Harbor. This was one of the highlights of SubFest put on by the Wisconsin Maritime Museum.
Mayor Justin Nickels says ”what a great way to celebrate this historical landmark’s 100th birthday.”
Phil Carlucci of Melville, New York purchased the lighthouse for $30,000 and then spent $300,000 renovating it. He wanted to ensure the renovations would be ready for Manitowoc’s celebration of maritime history.
Barb and Ken Wards of gowisconsinlighthouses.com made the trip from Milwaukee and she admits they are “lighthouse fanatics.”
CEO of the Wisconsin Maritime Museum Rolf Johnson says it’s imperative that Manitowoc stays grounded to “who we are”.
Doors are now closed as a second round of interior renovations will focus on restoring the lighthouse to what it looked like a century ago from furniture to artifacts from the day. Carlucci, in conjunction with the Wisconsin Maritime Museum, is hopeful to open the doors for limited tours next summer.
More photos can be seen at our photo gallery here
