January 4, 2013
On Saturday January 19, 2013 Preservation Virginia’s Cape Henry Lighthouse will hold a celebration in honor of the City of Virginia Beach’s 50th birthday. Residents of the City of Virginia Beach and anyone with a military ID will receive half price admission to the lighthouse on Saturday, Sunday and Monday, January 19-21. The lighthouse will be open regular winter hours, 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
At 11:00 AM on Saturday, there will be a ceremony giving Mayor Sessoms the key to the lighthouse and all members of the City Council will be named honorary lighthouse keepers. There will also be birthday cake all day for visitors.
About Cape Henry Lighthouse
The Cape Henry Lighthouse was the first public building project of the new United States government after the Revolutionary War and safeguarded maritime traffic from 1792 to 1881 when the “new” Cape Henry Light was placed into service. Since 1930 the old lighthouse has been owned and operated by Preservation Virginia.
About Preservation Virginia
Preservation Virginia, a private non-profit organization and statewide historic preservation leader founded in 1889, is dedicated to perpetuating and revitalizing Virginia’s cultural, architectural and historic heritage thereby ensuring that historic places are integral parts of the lives of present and future generations. Preservation Virginia provides leadership, experience, influence, and services to the public and special audiences by saving, managing, and protecting historic places, and developing preservation policy, programs, and strategies with individuals, organizations, and local, state, and national partners. For more information, visit www.preservationvirginia.org, find us on Facebook or Follow us on Twitter @preservationva.
The Cape Henry Lighthouse is located within Fort Story military base. All visitors without military ID must enter through Gate 8 at the end of Atlantic Avenue near Shore Drive. All visitors age 16 and over must show a valid federal or state issued ID card or student ID card. Visitors will also be required to show the current registration and proof of insurance for their vehicle. Fort Story is an important part of our nation’s defense and base security is of the highest priority. The security personnel have the right to examine your car before issuing a pass to enter the military base and visit the lighthouse. The security guards are courteous and efficient, but please allow a few extra minutes for entry into the site. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation. Also, for your safety and comfort please note that guests must be at least 42 inches tall to climb the lighthouse, children may not be carried up the steps, and backpacks and frontpacks are not allowed on the staircase.
Also located nearby on Fort Story is the Cape Henry Memorial, a part of the National Park Service.
Any media wishing to attend this event MUST contact Spencer Layne, Assistant Public Affairs Officer at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort story for access prior to the event. He can be reached at (757) 462-8423 or Spencer.Layne@navy.mil.
For more information on the Cape Henry Lighthouse please contact Stuart Nesbit, Site Coordinator at (757) 422-9421 or jsnesbit@preservationvirginia.org.
###
Press Contact
Any media wishing to attend this event MUST contact Spencer Layne, Assistant Public Affairs Officer at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort story for access prior to the event. He can be reached at (757) 462-8423 or Spencer.Layne@navy.mil.
For more information on the Cape Henry Lighthouse please contact Stuart Nesbit, Site Coordinator at (757) 422-9421 or jsnesbit@preservationvirginia.org.
