Cleveland Light Keepers Collective needs your help to become a steward of the Cleveland Harbor West Pierhead Lighthouse
/No doubt many of you have seen the Cleveland Harbor West Pierhead Lighthouse during your strolls along the Lake Erie shore at Whiskey Island. You’ve also seen great images captured by local photographers of towering plumes of wind-swept waves crashing into the lighthouse. The lighthouse that has greeted maritime travelers since 1911 is now up for grabs and various community groups are now competing for the opportunity to become a steward for the lighthouse.
In April, the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) announced it was seeking new suitors for the Cleveland lighthouse. Geoff Brediger launched his non-profit, the Cleveland Light Keepers Collective, last winter with a goal of submitting a letter of interest to the GSA and becoming the formal steward for the lighthouse.
We recently caught up with Geoff Brediger during the Whiskey Island Paddlefest. Check out our brief interview with Geoff by clicking the below image.
Share the River interview with Geoff Brediger (FB reel)
Geoff and the Cleveland Light Keepers Collective need YOUR help and he’s shared the below background and asks.
HELP SAVE THE CLEVELAND LIGHTHOUSE: The Cleveland Light Keepers Collective needs your support. They seek to become the official stewards of the West Pierhead Lighthouse through the National Park Service's historic lighthouse preservation program. This 501(c)(3) group, formed in February, knits together a wide coalition of people from diverse backgrounds wanting to preserve this landmark for the future and safely open it to the public for educational and recreational purposes. Their vision for the lighthouse and its platform include tours and events such as dinners, fishing, arts classes, fitness classes, student field trips, and watch parties for fireworks and the air show. In just a few weeks, the group will submit their official proposal application to the National Park Service.
WHAT YOU CAN DO NOW: Pledge your support. The group seeks funding through six tiers of pledges. They are currently seeking pledges only - nothing is charged at this time. The pledges will only be actualized if the group is officially awarded stewardship. Your pledge at this time would help show the Park Service that there is community backing for their mission. Wouldn't you like to see the lighthouse finally open to the public after all these years? Help ensure the Cleveland Lighthouse is entrusted to a group of Clevelanders and Lake Erie enthusiasts like you. Please also share this pledge form with others who might have an interest in supporting their endeavor.
KEEPER'S PLEDGE RANKS:
Each rank includes every benefit from the ranks below it.
$25 — Lamplighter Your name on the keeper's log and our thanks for lighting the first spark.
$50 — Assistant Keeper A personalized digital keeper's certificate, and your name on our online supporter wall.
$100 — Keeper An 8x10 photograph of the lighthouse.
$250 — Head Keeper A Cleveland Light Keepers t-shirt.
$500 — Inspector A private tour of the lighthouse, offered once public boarding is safely established.
$1,000 — Superintendent Your name engraved on the donor plaque inside the lighthouse, plus first dibs (priority access) to book whenever events are announced.
Every benefit is fulfilled after stewardship is awarded. Pledges are collected only if the lighthouse is conveyed to the Cleveland Light Keepers Collective.
WEWS story (8/6/26)