Fairport Harbor Marine
Museum & Lighthouse

Our Lighthouse is part of the Lake Erie to Ohio River Trail for America250-Ohio
Read More…….

Opening Day 2026
Saturday, May 23rd

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”.

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

United States Lighthouse Society Podcast

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

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

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Events in April 2026

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday
March 30, 2026
March 31, 2026
April 1, 2026
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April 21, 2026
April 22, 2026(1 event)


April 22, 2026

Regular Meeting
6:00pm at the Museum

April 23, 2026
April 24, 2026
April 25, 2026
April 26, 2026
April 27, 2026
April 28, 2026
April 29, 2026
April 30, 2026
May 1, 2026
May 2, 2026
May 3, 2026

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

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