Fairport Harbor Marine
Museum & Lighthouse

Book Signing
Jennifer Boresz Engelking
Sat. June 27th

New Exhibits Added
for the 2026
America 250-Ohio

Read More…….

Lighthouse Marine Museum
History

1825 – 1871               1871 – 2026

Fairport Harbor Marine Museum & Lighthouse

    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”.

The Fairport Harbor Lighthouse
is featured in an America250
PBS/ History Channel Documentary

A Slave’s Journey to Freedom
on the Underground Railroad to
Fairport Harbor & Canada.
“I’m Goin’ Home” is available to
watch online anytime.

Click Here to watch

I’M GOIN’ HOME

U.S. Lighthouse Society Podcast
Light Hearted- featuring
Marty O’Gara and John Ollila from FHHS

United States Lighthouse Society Podcast


Visit the Museum

Since 1945 the keeper’s dwelling has been home to the museum’s outstanding collection of Fairport Harbor and Great Lakes maritime history. As you tour the various exhibit rooms, you should note some of the important artifacts in our collection.  Items on current display are thematically arranged and may be temporarily removed in a given season to ensure ‘new’ visitor experiences.

Online Archives

The Museum is located on the first floor of the old Lighthouse Keepers House built in 1871. The space is small and the Fairport Harbor Historical Society has a rotating physical collection. Online archives are permanent and are being constantly updated .

Mardi Gras Archives

The Historical Society has the pictures and files from the Mardi Gras Committee that was disbanded in 2025.

Diamond Alkali

AlkaLines was the monthly newsletter of the Diamond Alkali Co. located in Fairport Harbor. The issues online are during WWII. Many local residents worked there and also served during the war.

Col. Donald Blakeslee

Fairport Harbor resident and Fighter Group Commander.

Tall Ships Visit

The Tall Ships Festival was moved to Fairport Harbor from Cleveland because of the Republican National Convention in 2003

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Events in June 2026

  • June 3, 2026


    June 3, 2026

    Regular Hours
    12:00pm – 6:00pm

  • June 5, 2026


    June 5, 2026

    Regular Hours
    12:00pm – 6:00pm

  • June 6, 2026


    June 6, 2026

    Regular Hours
    12:00pm – 6:00pm

  • June 7, 2026


    June 7, 2026

    Regular Hours
    12:00pm – 6:00pm

  • June 10, 2026


    June 10, 2026

    Regular Hours
    12:00pm – 6:00pm

  • June 12, 2026


    June 12, 2026

    Regular Hours
    12:00pm – 6:00pm

  • June 13, 2026


    June 13, 2026

    Regular Hours
    12:00pm – 6:00pm

  • June 14, 2026


    June 14, 2026

    Regular Hours
    12:00pm – 6:00pm

  • June 17, 2026


    June 17, 2026

    Regular Hours
    12:00pm – 6:00pm

  • June 19, 2026


    June 19, 2026

    Regular Hours
    12:00pm – 6:00pm

  • June 20, 2026


    June 20, 2026

    Regular Hours
    12:00pm – 6:00pm

  • June 21, 2026


    June 21, 2026

    Regular Hours
    12:00pm – 6:00pm

  • June 24, 2026


    June 24, 2026

    Regular Hours
    12:00pm – 6:00pm


    June 24, 2026

    Regular Meeting
    6:00pm at the Museum

  • June 26, 2026


    June 26, 2026

    Regular Hours
    12:00pm – 6:00pm

  • June 27, 2026


    June 27, 2026

    Regular Hours
    12:00pm – 6:00pm


    June 27, 2026

     Jennifer Boresz Engelking
    Book signing (all 5 books will be available to purchase)

    Event Link

  • June 28, 2026


    June 28, 2026

    Regular Hours
    12:00pm – 6:00pm

Fairport Harbor was home to one of the lost crew members and has many other connections to the ship.

Edmund Fitzgerald 50th Remembrance Ceremony

    The Historical Society’s remembrance ceremony was held November 10, 2025 at the VFW Post 7754 in Fairport Harbor. Highlights of the evening were, Bill Simko Fairport resident, who sailed on the Fitz in earlier years. Bill shared his photos and memories of his years onboard the Fitz. Fran Gabor and Debbie Kunsman, nieces of Eddie Bindon, gave a touching eulogy/remembrance of their Uncle Eddie.

Location & Map

Fairport Harbor, Ohio

Street

129 Second Street

City / State

Fairport Harbor, OH

Zip code

Phone

44077

(440) 354-4825

Donate instantly online by scanning
the qr code below or go to

https://square.link/u/RXtcAfVF

FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS  - Friday, June 26th 7:30pm - 9:30pm 
Scroll to Top