Point Lookout Lighthouse Preservation Society (PLLPS), Inc.



First Open House of 2008 Season Greets 114 Visitors Under Rainy Skys

April 5, 2008



The first open house of the 2008 season welcomed 114 visitors, although the weather was not very pleasant, with chilly temperatures and on and off again rain. The event was advertised in the Washington Post, in the Southern Maryland section, although the ending time was incorrectly listed as 4 pm. The PLLPS unveiled a new large banner for 2008 that reads "Lighthouse Open for Tours Today", which should help bring in additional visitors who just happen to be driving by the lighthouse. A special thanks to Mardy Millen of California Signs, a local company located on Route 235 near the Patuxent Naval Air Base, for his support and help with the banner and an additional metal informational sign that was installed on April 11th, on the fencing outside the lighthouse. Be sure to visit California Signs if you need a sign, new boat numbers or even a customized boat name! Please mention that you heard about California Signs from PLLPS. PLLPS greatly appreciates the support from our neighbors and the local business community.

We enjoy talking with the public about one of our local maritime treasures that is a part of the rich history of the Southern Maryland Area.



Eunice Knott in the South Side Dining Room


Eunice Knott, who lived in the lighthouse when her father Herman Metivier was the keeper, sits at her table in the south side dining room surrounded by pictures and memorobilia. Eunice has many fascinating stories about growing up in the lighthouse. The basement door in the left foreground has been boarded up; numerous breakins have caused damaged to the historic structure, but we hope that the newly installed fence will help to discourage future vandalism. We offer a special nighttime program to allow those who are interested in legally entering the lighthouse after dark, with all funds raised going to help the lighthouse.



The PLLPS Table in the North Side Living Room


Volunteer Christine Collins at the PLLPS Table. PLLPS now sells a variety of merchandise to raise funds, including t-shirts, CDs, and limited quantities of specially handcrafted items.



Replica of the Point Lookout Lighthouse, by Barbara Loukota


The center piece of the PLLPS table is a replica of the lighthouse that was made by our Treasurer, Barbara Loukota. Volunteer Buzz Hammond has completed a plexiglass case for the replica, which will be touring a library, welcome center or the park's nature center in the very near future! Notice the portion of the original brick wall that is visible behind the lighthouse replica. The drywall was removed during structural studies performed by the Navy, although some of the other holes in the lighthouse have been caused by vandals. The walls in the original part of the lighthouse are 14" thick.



A visitor browses the PLLPS merchandise table

Visitors browse the PLLPS scrap book created by Kim Hammond, our Director of Paranormal Investigations



Visitors browse in the North Side Living room, as volunteer Denis Gonda ponders ideas for future events. Merchandise is available for sale on one table, while a scrap book created by Kim Hammond, our Director of Paranormal Investigations, gathers a crowd interested to learn more about previous paranormal investigation events.



A special thank you to all the volunteers who helped to make the first open house of the season a great success! A special thank you for Chuck Kohls who offered to serve as the volunteer coordinator for PLLPS events. We also want to welcome Christine Collins to the PLLPS volunteer team.

We look forward to seeing everyone at the next Open House to be held on May 3rd from 10 am until 2 pm. The PLLPS will also be attending Piney Point Days on May 10th and 11th.



Photos courtesy of Kim Hammond