Summer Thursdays are discount days for tours of the historic Oswego West Pierhead Lighthouse. Beginning July 6, all tours are $5 off per person on any Thursday. All tours require a boat ride from Wright’s Landing to and from the lighthouse. Thursday tours cost $25 for adults and $15 for children age 12 and under. Free admission to the H. Lee White Maritime Museum is included in the ticket price. Tours are not recommended for children age 5 and younger. Register for tours at https://fareharbor.com/embeds/
The lighthouse is Oswego’s most famous icon, a symbol of a day when the Port City was the major shipping port on Lake Ontario. Oswego has had a lighthouse along the lake since 1822. The current lighthouse was built in 1934. Renovations are currently underway to restore the building to its original condition where possible.
“Everyone has seen the lighthouse from the outside, whether they’re standing on the shoreline or seeing it in pictures and paintings. Now, these discounts make it possible for more people to see what the lighthouse keepers saw for more than 200 years as they protected maritime traffic,” said Mercedes Niess, Executive Director of the H. Lee White Maritime Museum.
Visitors should reserve two hours for the tour, which includes a boat ride from Wright’s Landing to the lighthouse and back. Boat capacity is limited to six visitors per transit. Other rules include:
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The captain is in charge while underway and can cancel or shorten a trip at his or her discretion due to weather or safety concerns.
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Children under 5 years old not recommended
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Children under 12 MUST wear a life jacket during transit
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All children under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult
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There are no restrooms at the Lighthouse
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Please arrive at Wright’s Landing 15 minutes prior to departure
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Flat, rubber-soled shoes highly recommended
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No smoking, alcohol, or food is permitted on site
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The lighthouse is not handicap accessible
The H. Lee White Maritime Museum is located in Oswego’s Historic Maritime District at the end of the West First Street Pier. Regular admission is $12 for adults and $6 for teens, with children ages 12 and under admitted free. Hours are daily 1 p.m. - 5 p.m. with expanded hours of 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. during July and August.
For more information, visit www.hlwmm.org or facebook.com/hlwmm for upcoming events or call (315) 342-0480.