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Exploring the Lighthouse Exploring the Lighthouse
...The Program A Brief History of the Lighthouse...
own community, we wanted to provide an opportunity for them to visit SSheringham Point Lighthouse was built in 1912, and illuminated for the Creation of the Light-
Sheringham Point Lighthouse, to learn about its history and operations, first time on September 30 of that year. house began in 1911, Under construction - 1912
to appreciate its significance and understand why it is being conserved. It with the purchase of 4
was also our hope to inspire them – and, through them, their families and The Lighthouse was built in response to the tragic wreck of the steamship acres of land from Shir-
friends – to take a personal interest in further exploring their community SS Valencia, on January 22, 1906. En route from San Francisco to Victoria ley resident Edwin Clark.
and helping to protect and celebrate the future of the Lighthouse. and Seattle, late at night and in rough weather, the Valencia missed the The following year, the
turn into the Strait of Juan de Fuca and steamed directly on to the rocks lighthouse tower was
We developed a short program, called “Exploring the Lighthouse”. This has near Pachena Point. Of the 173 people aboard, 136 were lost. built, along with a small
several parts: boathouse and a house
1. History and Operations – we provide a short presentation outlining for the lighkeeper and
the history of the Lighthouse, and also talk about how lighthouses Newly completed - ca 1912 his family. The first
work and their role in maritime safety and community development. lightkeeper, Eustace Ar-
2. Visit to the Lighthouse – the students visit the Lighthouse to see first- den, arrived in Septem-
hand what it’s all about, and to experience its remarkable character ber, and continued at the
and ambience. site until 1946.
3. Reflections – we ask the students to creatively express their impres-
sions of the Lighthouse site by: Focused in on the visit to the Lighthouse The light itself was
• Taking photographs while they are at the site, focusing on the a 3rd Order Fresnel
features that capture their attention/imagination. Lens. Originally lit by
• Writing and illustrating a story (either fictional or non-fic- oil lamps (and later by
tion) about a Lighthouse. electric lamps), it was
4. Commemorative Book - we compiled the students’ photographs, made up of many prisms
stories and art work into this commemorative book, which is being It is the Society’s hope that we will be able to find the resources to make which focused the light
provided on-line to all of the children, their families and the whole this project an annual event, and to include all the schools in the local into a powerful beam
school community. area. that could be seen up to
25 km away. The lens ro-
Sheringham Point Lighthouse Preservation Society Page 6 Sheringham Point Lighthouse Preservation Society Page 7