Heritage Designation Awarded to Sheringham Point Lighthouse Site
TOGETHER, WE DID IT!
All of the hard work, the letters of support, and the dedication of our Society’s members and volunteers over the past twelve years is now paying off. We received a letter last week from the Minister of the Environment, Leona Aglukkaq, notifying us that the Government of Canada has designated the Sheringham Point Lighthouse site a heritage lighthouse under the provisions of the federal Heritage Lighthouse Protection Act.
What this means is that the Sheringham Point Lighthouse will now “have legal protection that will ensure it can be enjoyed and appreciated for generations to come.”
The Government’s announcement indicated that, in all, 74 lighthouses across Canada are being given heritage status under the legislation. “For hundreds of years, lighthouses have ensured the safety of seafarers, making an essential contribution to the development of Canada, one of the world’s great maritime nations” the announcement declared. “Canada’s heritage lighthouses are an integral part of the maritime identity of many Canadians and we will continue to work with communities across Canada in the hopes of designating and protecting as many heritage lighthouses as possible.”
This success could not have been achieved without your ongoing encouragement and your support — both financial, and by sending cards, letters and messages backing up the work of the Society. We need to take a moment and congratulate each other for a job well done!
WHAT IT MEANS FOR SPLPS
This announcement serves as the springboard to ensure the lighthouse, surrounding property and historic public access are preserved and protected for the years to come. It opens the door for the final step of transferring ownership and responsibility for caring for the lighthouse to the Sheringham Point Lighthouse Preservation Society. That step is now so close…and we need to make sure we are ready. We need to make sure that we have the resources and plans in place so that the lighthouse can once again look forward to a secure and productive future, and that our community will continue to benefit from its remarkable heritage.
Once again, thank you for your ongoing support and all of your efforts that have resulted in this great achievement.
– Michael Galizio, President
To make a donation to support the future of the Sheringham Point Lighthouse, please click here.
To view the press release issued by the Government of Canada, please click here.
To view the Minister’s letter to the Society, please click here.
