Historical Association of South Haven

Please plan to join the Historical Association of South Haven on Wednesday, October 21st as we welcome Jay Campbell and Steve Gronow to Forest House for the presentation, “The Lamps of the South Haven Lighthouse”.

Jay Campbell is a local author, historian and genealogist who recently published “Lighting South Haven”, a book that covers the evolution of illumination between the years 1870-1920. He has also studied South Haven’s iconic lighthouse keeper, James Donahue extensively, and graciously portrays him at the South Haven South Pierhead Light during our lighthouse “sneak peeks”.

Steve Gronow joins us from Howell, MI, where he maintains the Maritime Exchange Museum, dedicated to artifacts from the U.S. Lighthouse Establishment, focusing specifically on aids to navigation. He has an extensive collection of authentic Fresnel lighthouse lenses, fog signal bells and horns, original brass oil lamps and most of the tools used by lighthouse keepers between 1852-1940.

Together, they will present an interesting overview of the various types of historic lighting used at our South Haven Light. Steve will have various lamps & lenses from his vast collection on display for discussion.

The program will take place at our Forest House location – 313 Center St. in downtown South Haven. Jay Campbell will have copies of his new book for purchase and will be available for signing copies starting at 6:30P. The presentation is free and open to the public and will begin at 7:00P.