The Sodus Bay Lighthouse Museum, located at 7606 North Ontario Street in Sodus Point, is opening for its 32nd season at 10 a.m. on Sunday, May 1.
Built in 1870, the beautiful, historic lighthouse was used to guide ships on Lake Ontario to safe harbor in Sodus Bay. Use of the light was discontinued in 1901, having been made redundant by an outer light on the bay’s west pier. The building now houses a museum, operated by the Sodus Bay Historical Society. Exhibitions focus on local and maritime history and include displays about lighthouse keepers’ tools, railroads and trolleys, the Erie Canal, and the War of 1812.
Visitors can stroll through gardens on the bluff overlooking Lake Ontario, shop in the museum’s store, and climb the 52-step spiral staircase to the top of the lighthouse tower for breathtaking, panoramic views of Lake Ontario and Sodus Point.
The museum has planned many exciting events for 2016, including several in May:
Thank You, Mom!
To celebrate Mother’s Day, all mothers visiting the Sodus Bay Lighthouse Museum on Sunday, May 8, will receive a free gift with paid admission.
United Way Day of Caring: "And So It Grows!"
This year, the Sodus Bay Lighthouse Museum is participating in the United Way Day of Caring on Thursday, May 12. This national program emphasizes the benefits of volunteering in communities across the country. Projects for the day include cleaning out and mulching garden beds, painting, staining, and cleaning. To sign up and help us maintain our beautiful lighthouse, call Noreen at (315) 483-0775.
"History Alive!" Presentation: "Churches of Sodus and Huron"
The museum’s “History Alive!” Lecture Series begins on Wednesday, May 25, at 6:30 p.m. at the Sodus Point Village Hall (8356 Bay Street, Sodus Point). Loreen Jorgensen will present “Churches of Sodus and Huron.” How many churches are there in the Town of Huron? Where is the oldest church in the Town of Sodus? Which denomination is the most prevalent in these two Wayne County towns? Find out fascinating facts about the buildings that have served as spiritual centers around the Sodus Bay area and the people involved with them throughout history.This free program is made possible by our generous Lighthouse Events Sponsors.
Memorial Day & Blue Star Museums Program
The Museum will be open on Memorial Day (Monday, May 30). All visitors wearing red, white, and blue will receive a free postcard with admission. This is also the start the Blue Star Museums program, administered by the National Endowment for the Arts. Active-duty military personnel and up to five family members receive free admission at hundreds of museums around the United States, including the Sodus Bay Lighthouse Museum. This program runs until Labor Day.
The Sodus Bay Lighthouse Museum is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. Admission is $5 for adults and $2.50 for students (grades K-12). Preschool children and Sodus Bay Historical Society members are free. For more information, including a full list of upcoming events for 2016, click on our "Events" tab at the top of this page or call (315) 483-4936.