Parks Canada shines light on bright future of historic site during anniversary celebration
Victoria, British Columbia, November 16, 2010 - Canada’s Environment Minister John Baird today sent greetings celebrating the 150th birthday of Fisgard Lighthouse National Historic Site. A ceremonial lantern was lit at the site 150 years-to-the-minute of the first lighting and was carried up the spiral iron staircase to the top of the lighthouse tower by descendents of the first lighthouse keeper, George Davies.
“It gives me great pleasure to recognize the 150th anniversary of Fisgard Lighthouse - a stunning national historic site that means so much to Canadians,” said Minister Baird.
The lighting of the lantern marks a new chapter in Fisgard’s brave history. Thanks to approximately $2 million recently invested in the lighthouse as part of Canada’s Economic Action Plan, the national historic site will be able to offer the Canadians new experiences and exciting partnerships with local community groups. The site has been exploring options such as gourmet dinners hosted by local food producers, Luminara displays and live entertainment.
“It is especially fitting that this anniversary comes in the same year that the Government of Canada made a significant financial investment into the lighthouse to develop new interactive exhibits and make significant improvements to its visitor facilities,” added Minister Baird. “These exciting new features have opened the door to a new realm of possibilities for making memories at Fisgard Lighthouse National Historic Site.”
The lighting of the lantern at precisely “half past 4 O’clock”, corresponded with the actual timing recorded in the log book in 1860 by the lighthouse’s first keeper George Davies. His story and those of other lighthouse keepers are now available for the public to discover with the new lighthouse exhibits, officially unveiled as part of a two-day celebration at the site in June 2010.
Fisgard Lighthouse, completed in 1860, was the first permanent lighthouse on the west coast of Canada. It has been administered as a national historic site by Parks Canada since 1962. Parks Canada manages one of the finest and most extensive systems of national historic sites in the world. In 2011, Parks Canada will be proudly celebrating its 100th anniversary as the first national park service in the world.
-30-
Information:
Pascale Boulay
Press Secretary
Minister’s Office, Environment Canada
819-997-1441
Dave King
Collections Manager
Fort Rodd Hill & Fisgard Lighthouse National Historic Sites
250-478-5631
http://twitter.com/parkscanada
Backgrounder associated with this News Release.
Fisgard Lighthouse National Historic Site of Canada
