A Beacon for the Environment

Thanks to the generosity of many people, we restored North Point Lighthouse and Museum into a unique destination, where the stories of the people and events that shaped Milwaukee maritime history are told to visitors from all over the world.

Protecting and Sustaining the Environment

Recently, we embarked upon a new venture, in partnership with Milwaukee County Parks, to restore the eroded lower portion of the South Lighthouse Ravine. The purpose of the project is to reduce and filter contaminated storm water before it flows down the bluff to Bradford Beach and into Lake Michigan.

The illustrations in this page demonstrate how our new green infrastructure initiative protects and sustains the lighthouse grounds and surrounding park environment.

Our driveway and parking lot were also resurfaced with porous pavement blocks to retain storm water and direct overflow to a recently expanded rain garden on the west lawn.

A second rain garden was created along the North Ravine, east of the lighthouse and museum, to receive and absorb roof drainage from the museum building. The plant roots of perennials and native plants and soil in the rain gardens act as sponges, soaking up runoff to purify pollutants and lessen overflows into the North Ravine.

Regenerative Storm Water Conveyance (RSC)

RSC is a green infrastructure that filters storm water that flows into the restored South Ravine. This is created through a series of natural step pools that slows and filters storm water that runs down the bluff before it reaches the existing storm water management protections installed at Bradford Beach a few years ago.

View real-time data on storm water levels in our electronically monitored dashboard display in our museum. This new exhibit allows visitors to see how storm water management connects with other restorative improvements already installed at Bradford Beach.

A second rain garden was created along the North Ravine, east of the lighthouse and museum, to receive and absorb roof drainage from the museum building. The plant roots of perennials and native plants and soil in the rain gardens act as sponges, soaking up runoff to purify pollutants and lessen overflows into the North Ravine.

Please Donate Today

You can contribute immediately by clicking here to donate online.

For more information, email [email protected], or call, 414.332.6754. One of our Board Directors will follow up with you by phone to answer questions you may have and/or help you complete your contribution.

For over 100 years, North Point Lighthouse served as a beacon of safety for ships on Lake Michigan. Today, it can be a shining example of what we can do as a community to safely protect and sustain the environment of one of Milwaukee’s most beautiful parks.

Thank you for what you have already done and what you can do now to help us push this venture to completion.

Respectfully,
John Scripp
President

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Public Hours

Open Saturdays and Sundays from 1-4 pm. See “Visit/Admission” for closed dates.

 

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