Welcome to the Cape Canaveral Lighthouse

ALL HANDS ON DECK:
THE VALUE OF A READY & ABLE CREW

Dear Friends and Fellow Keepers,

I am often asked, “Why should I join the Cape Canaveral Lighthouse Foundation?” As a coastguardsman, I have long appreciated the beacons that illuminate our shores to guide sailors safely into port, so it seemed only fitting to join the Foundation and help keep the light shining. As President of its Board, it is a sincere privilege to have such ready and able volunteers who are the most selfless, hardworking and committed people I’ve ever met. Their passion for lighthouses and the historical significance these beacons have to our Country and the maritime industry is the force which drives CCLF’s commitment to preserving Cape Canaveral Lighthouse and sharing its beauty with others.

The Cape Canaveral Lighthouse Foundation was established on May 20, 2002, by a handful of dedicated community leaders who wanted to protect the lighthouse and make the history of the lighthouse, its keepers and their families come to life. A volunteer-led organization, CCLF members play an integral role in educating the Space Coast community and its visitors about the lighthouse and our efforts to restore and preserve this historic U.S. landmark.

Over the years, the many dedicated Foundation Board Members and general membership have recruited and trained volunteers; coordinated community events to get the word out about our lighthouse and our goals;and made presentations to community organizations, the Florida Lighthouse Association, the Brevard County Commissioners, the Tourist Development Counsel, and Florida State Legislators to obtain funds to rebuild the lighthouse community as it once was when the keepers and their families lived and worked there.They also developed a curriculum for Brevard County 4th grade school children, followed up with a field trip to the lighthouse, where these students can see and learn, firsthand, about the lighthouse and the keepers. Access to our lighthouse is foremost in our minds, and we now have regular tours each week, special group tours, and have just seen our first Port of Call Tour from one of the cruise ships visiting Port Canaveral.

There were times when our goals seemed lofty and perhaps unattainable; however, through the efforts of a dedicated and determined team of volunteers our first Keeper’s Cottage is under construction and nearing completion. Soon it will house our museum that will better enable us to share our lighthouse’s story to schoolchildren and visitors alike. And this is only the beginning! As we move forward, CCLF seeks to fully restore the grounds, adding two additional cottages to serve as an education center and community event space, all the while working hard to grow our membership and obtain funding to support these efforts.

I hope you will all join me in growing our membership and visitors – this is critical to our success!
Thanks for all you do.
See you at the Lighthouse!

Jim

The latest edition of the Canaveral Beacon is available now. It includes an article and pictures of the 45th Space Wing 2019 Air Force Family Day. In the Community Outreach section, you can read about Foundation participation in 18th Annual Vettes at the Port Show. The Foundation also helped Cape Canaveral celebrate its annual Founders Day on April 13th.

This month’s Volunteer Spotlight features two of our most knowledgeable and dedicated Cape Canaveral Lighthouse Docents, Merritt Nord and Vicki Williams. You can read more about their stories and contributions to the Lighthouse Foundation, educating visitors to our Lighthouse. Meet Merritt and Vicki in the April newsletter.

The first of three keepers’ cottages is nearing completion. Check out the news updating the construction, including pictures of construction progress.

Don’t forget to check out the exciting new tour opportunities on the Lighthouse Tours page and at Canaveral Lighthouse Tours,.

With progress on the Keepers’ Cottages, the Brick Walkway Program is picking up pace. Order your engraved brick and join in the history of the lighthouse.

Check out some of the upcoming events for the Cape Canaveral Lighthouse Foundation and the Florida Lighthouse Association. The Cape Canaveral Lighthouse Foundation and U.S. Air Force 45th Space Wing will co-host the Annual Descendants Day Reunion on May 4. For more information on upcoming Florida Lighthouse Association events, visit Florida Lighthouse Association.

You can view the newsletter at:

Canaveral Beacon – April 2019

Canaveral Lighthouse Tours is now conducting weekly excursions in small groups to tour the Cape Canaveral Lighthouse and historic spaceflight launch complexes. Tours are offered on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and the 2nd and 4th Saturday of the month.

You can read a little about Shelley and Gerry Parker, owners of Cape Canaveral Tours in this month’s newsletter. The tours are an excellent opportunity to see the progress being made in the Keepers’ Cottage construction.

Plan and book your lighthouse tour today at Canaveral Lighthouse Tours, or call 321-307-2900 to make your reservations.

Are you or your organization interested in being a Cape Canaveral Lighthouse Foundation sponsor? You can find more information on our Lighthouse Foundation Sponsorship page. It includes a sponsorship letter from Foundation President Jim Underwood, and the Annual Sponsorship Form with more details on sponsorship levels.

On October 10th, 2017 the Brevard County Commissioners approved the Tourism Development Council recommendation to fund $500,000.00 for construction of the first Keeper’s Cottage for the Cape Canaveral Lighthouse. Restoration of the Keeper’s Cottages has been a fundamental goal of the Cape Canaveral Lighthouse Foundation since its establishment in 2002.

A Few Words about the Florida Lighthouse Association (FLA)
Bob Merrilees
Former President, Cape Canaveral Lighthouse Foundation

The Florida Lighthouse Association is a nonprofit group of citizen activists dedicated to the preservation of the 30 remaining historic lighthouses that line our state’s 1,350-mile coastline. Once central to the economic growth and settlement of our nation, many of Florida’s lighthouses face uncertain futures. We encourage members of the Cape Canaveral Lighthouse Foundation to support FLA by joining and attending meetings. For details check out the website at www.floridalighthouses.org . FLA grants have helped us toward our goals of restoring our Canaveral Lighthouse community as it once was. Recently FLA awarded us a grant of $6,000 for the rental of a trailer to be placed at the lighthouse to house our gift shop and display our Brick Project. We ask you to show your appreciation by joining FLA today!