AFCP Grant | ElbowReef Lighthouse

The Ambassador's Fund for Cultural Preservation

The restoration of the Elbow Reef Lighthouse 2022 - 2023 is an historic event made possible because of the incredible collaborative relationship with the United States Embassy Nassau.

In 2021, in ,The Elbow Reef Foundation (ERF)—a U.S. 501(c)(3) and the joint applicant of Abaco's Elbow Reef Lighthouse Society (ERLS), were chosen to receive a restoration grant through the U.S. State Department's prestigious Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation.

Master Plan

In August 2022, we began work on the Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation Grant through the U.S. Embassy Nassau. This post Hurricane-Dorian restoration project will see four significant restoration projects through to completion by July 2023.

Project #1 Lantern & Metalworks

Inside: Vents/vent grates, floor grates, staircase & door handles.

Outside: Weathervane, canopy, gutters, astragals, walking grates, Lantern walls, hand railings, install gutter pipes and water buckets.

Project #2 Strip and Repaint Tower

Lighthouse: Strip off all layers of paint with a non-chemical sand/vapor abrasive blasting technique. Fix all masonry faults, then pressure wash. Prime with paint and pressure wash with fresh water before applying new paint.

Project #3 Slate Floor Replacement

The slate floors will be replaced one section at a time with new slate sections. The supporting I-beams corroded due to salt and moisture exposure

over time, causing the slate to become uneven and crack.

Project #4 Operational System

Repairs to kerosene storage tanks and distribution system. Align the gear weights inside the interior column and clean inside weights tube. Assess lens support system. Lens/glass prisms to be assessed by expert for potential repairs. Soot and ventilation stack cleaning.

Stay Tuned for Our Grand Reopening

A grand reopening is planned for November 2023. The United States and The Bahamas have long enjoyed a mutually beneficial partnership. The ties between our nations have never been stronger. We look forward to celebrating the completion of this project!