The Fairport Harbor Marine Museum is the first
Great Lakes Lighthouse Marine Museum in the
State of Ohio
, as well as the United States.
The museum, which also has a small gift shop, is located
at 129 Second St., Fairport Harbor, OH 44077.
For more information as to when the museum is open
call (440) 354-4825
email - keeper@fairportharborlighthouse.org
Thank you for a great 2022 season.
We had more than 3000 visitors during public hours, over 40 private tours by appointment and
7 special events in 2022
The 2023 season begins May 1st.
Check our website for updates beginning in March.
The museum was founded in 1945 by the Fairport
Harbor Historical Society, which is devoted to preserving and
perpetuating the historic tradition of Fairport Harbor and the
Great Lakes area. The original lighthouse was completed in 1825.
The tower stood thirty feet high, capped with an
octagonal-shaped iron lantern. The lighthouse was accompanied by
a two-story keeper's house.Due to deterioration the tower and
keeper's house had to be replaced. Rebuilt in 1871, the tower
now stands sixty feet high and has a spiral staircase of 69
steps which leads to an observation platform.In 1925 the light
in the tower (a third-order Fresnel lens) was discontinued. It
was replaced by a combination light and foghorn station which
was built on the west breakwater pier head.
The museum houses a number of artifacts
pertaining to life on the Great Lakes and other maritime
exhibits. Attached to the museum is the former pilothouse from
the Great Lakes carrier the "Frontenac". More info.......
The worst shipping disaster in Lake Erie’s history, a tragedy of heartbreaking human cost. The summer of 1850 was the scene of the fire on the steamer G.P. Griffith, along the coast of Lake County, Ohio.