P.E.I. lighthouse hoping to win $50K prize in cross-country contest
A historic lighthouse in southeastern Prince Edward Island is among the finalists in a competition which could see thousands of dollars come to the site.
The historic Cape Bear Lighthouse is looking to win the $50,000 prize from the National Trust for Canada’s Next Great Save, a contest to help historic places.
Cape Bear Lighthouse & Marconi Station Inc., the non-profit group that operates the lighthouse, wants to expand.
“It’ll take a little bit of time, and a lot of money, so winning this would, sort of, give us a boost, or a jumpstart, to get this going,” said Valerie MacPherson, Board of Directors president.
She said they want to use the money to revitalize the site and move a nearby building, the Marconi Station, away from the shore alongside the lighthouse.
The top of the lighthouse suffered some weather-related damage and is being repaired by a local metalwork shop. The group expects it will be back in place on the structure in about a month.
The lighthouse has been moved twice to protect it from the eroding shoreline.
The Marconi Station has a particular claim to fame: a connection to the wreck of the Titanic.
“That evening, the operator, his name was Thomas Bartlett, he was working through the night, and he was the first, land-based, in Canada, to receive the distress call,” said MacPherson.
Many of the artifacts and exhibits are currently in storage without enough space to display them, including a desk which was inside the original station when the operator received that fateful call.
MacPherson said the $50,000 grand price would change that.
“When they come they’re a little bit disappointed because we don’t really have a lot to show them. We can tell them the story, and our staff do an excellent job of that, but they want to see things.”
It’s not the only finalist in the Maritimes. The St. John's Centre for the Arts, in a historic church in Arichat, Cape Breton, also made the final 12.
For more Prince Edward Island news visit our dedicated provincial page.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Work stoppage possible as WestJet issues lockout notice to maintenance engineers' union
A lockout notice issued by WestJet to a union representing aircraft maintenance engineers could result in a work stoppage next week.
Maple Leafs eliminated from NHL playoffs with Game 7 OT loss to Bruins
Sheldon Keefe told his players hockey history would remember them one way or another.
‘Love has no boundaries’: Sask. couple in their 90s and 80s get married
Eighty-two-year-old Susan Neufeldt and 90-year-old Ulrich Richter are no spring chickens, but their love blossomed over the weekend with their wedding at Pine View Manor just outside of Rosthern.
Should you save or splurge on makeup this summer?
If you're wondering whether you should splurge or save when it comes to buying skincare products and makeup this summer, we got some answers for you.
Chemical spill could be cause of stinky water in Puslinch, Ont., new report says
People living in Puslinch, Ont. may have the answer to why their water smelled so bad last year.
No proof man lied to brother about number of kittens born in litter, B.C. tribunal rules
A man was denied a $5,000 payout from his brother after a B.C. tribunal dismissed his claim disputing how many kittens were born in a litter.
Ukraine marks its third Easter at war as it comes under fire from Russian drones and troops
As Ukraine marked its third Easter at war, Russia on Sunday launched a barrage of drones concentrated in Ukraine's east, wounding more than a dozen people, and claimed its troops took control of a village they had been targeting.
opinion You don't need to be an influencer to earn income from social media
How legitimate are claims by some content creators that the average person can earn passive income from social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram? Personal finance columnist Christopher Liew says it's quite possible, if you're willing to put in the initial time and effort.
London Drugs begins 'gradual reopening' on 7th day after cyberattack
Almost a week after all London Drugs stores across Western Canada abruptly closed amid a cyberattack, they began a "gradual reopening" on Saturday.