160th Anniversary of
Pointe aux Barques Lighthouse
August 2-3 2008

When reading the caption to this article on the Pointe Aux Barques Lighthouse Festival for August 2-3, 2008, you may think something is familiar. You would be correct. Last year the Pointe Aux Barques Lighthouse celebrated its 150th Anniversary. No only did the Pointe Aux Barques Lighthouse Society put on a great festival, it also celebrated the dedication of the Michigan Historical Marker at the lighthouse. What is wrong with the mathematics? How can you jump to a 160th Anniversary Celebration the next year?

How about celebrating the 160th Anniversary of the "first" Pointe Aux Barques Lighthouse structure built on this location in 1848?

Unless you are familiary with the hiestory of the lighthouse located in Lighthouse County Park, you are probably not aware that the current structures, Pointe Aux Barques Lighthouse and the Keeper's Dwelling were built in 1857. The current structures that you can visit today were preceded by an earlier separated Lighthouse Tower and small Keeper's Dwelling, built in 1848. This is the Pointe Aux Barques Lighthouse for which Peter Shook served as the first keeper. After Peter's drowning death in 1849, which was the first loss of life in the line of duty by a lighthouse keeper on the Great Lakes, Catharine Shook took his place as keeper. Catherine then became the first female lighthouse keeper on the Michigan Great Lakes.

So, having an Anniversary Celebration of the 160th Birthday of the 1848 Pointe Aux Barques Lighthouse is fitting this year.

The Pointe Aux Barquest Lighthouse Society invites the community and visitors to attend the Pointe Aux Barques Lighthouse Heritage Days Festival to enjoy the celebration of our heritage.

Civil War re-enactors from the 4th Michigan 8th Arkansas will return with their accompanying settlers.

Saturday's events will include a variety of opportunties to tempt your appetite, youth activities (including a scavenger hunt, period crafts and games, and story telling by "Mother Goose"). Favorite musicians Ziggie and Susan from the White Owl Conservatory will present their music from around the world.

Saturday night will feature the annual fundraising dinner in the large tent ntestled under the trees beside the Pointe Aux Barques Lighthouse. Mike Deren, "The Past in Person", a favorite historical presenter will be the featured entertainment of the evening. The Dinner Tickets may be obtained by contacting Carolyn Curtis at (989)428-3035. Seating is limited to 208 although a larger tent has been arranged to make seating and entertainment view comfortable.

On Sunday, a pancake breakfast will be served as will a full luncheon menu. A full band will perform from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. featuring musicians from the area.