Rich Norgard tells the story of the Port Clinton Lighthouse, behind him, in the documentary series, “Illuminating the Great Lakes Lighthouses of Lake Erie,” which highlights eight local lighthouses. (Photo by Sheri Trusty)

BY SHERI TRUSTY

PORT CLINTON – Last fall, WBGU-PBS Producer/Director Kaitlyn Kuch Finkler and Editor Meghan Murray sat inside the Boathouse on the edge of Derby Pond at Waterworks Park and talked with Port Clinton Lighthouse Conservancy President, Rich Norgard. As they filmed the conversation, Norgard talked about the lighthouse’s history, including the fascinating story of its restoration.

The story of the Port Clinton Lighthouse is included in a three-part documentary series, “Illuminating the Great Lakes Lighthouses of Lake Erie,” beginning on Sept. 11. The series will highlight the history, lighthouse keepers, preservation, inspiration and future of eight local lighthouses. In addition to the Port Clinton Lighthouse, the series will focus on Marblehead Lighthouse, South Bass Island Lighthouse, Toledo Harbor Lighthouse, Lorain Harbor Lighthouse, Vermilion Lighthouse, Fairport Harbor Lighthouse and Fairport Harbor West Breakwater Lighthouse.

The series tells the individual stories of the lighthouses and interweaves them into a collective tale of Ohio history. Kuch Finkler was surprised by the extensive histories of the lights, and in the end, the project expanded from one documentary to a three-part series in an effort to include as many stories as possible.

“The series tells the individual stories and also the collaborative story of Midwest grit and perseverance,” she said.

Rich Norgard is interviewed by WBGU-PBS Producer/Director Kaitlyn Kuch Finkler inside the Boathouse near the Port Clinton Lighthouse. (Submitted photo)

As the women talked with Norgard about the Port Clinton Lighthouse, they were fascinated by the light’s unusual restoration story and its unique history. It is the only remaining timber frame pier light on Lake Erie.

“My favorite thing about the Port Clinton Lighthouse is that they found fire scars during restoration. It’s amazing it’s still around today,” Kuch Finkler said. “Rich is such an incredible guy. In the documentary, he sparkles and makes you care about the lighthouse.”

Norgard was grateful to have the opportunity to tell the lighthouse’s story in the documentary.

“It was a pleasure for me. They were very thorough. We talked about the history and quite a bit about the restoration,” Norgard said. “They seemed interested in the details of it. We talked about the fascinating aspect that the lighthouse was sitting there for 60 years, and through happenstance, it was saved. I’m really looking forward to seeing the documentary.”

The project gave Kuch Finkler and Murray the opportunity to meet many people connected to lighthouses, including Sheila Consaul, who owns the Fairport Harbor West Breakwater Lighthouse.

“She bought it off an auction site and is going to use it as a vacation home,” Kuch Finkler said. “It’s 100th birthday is this year.”

Kuch Finkler and Murray hope the series inspires viewers to visit the lighthouses as well.

WBGU-PBS Editor Meghan Murray, left, and Producer/Director Kaitlyn Kuch Finkler travel to one of the eight lighthouses they explore in the documentary series, “Illuminating the Great Lakes Lighthouses of Lake Erie.” (Submitted photo)

“Kaitlyn and I worked together on how to tell these stories so people will gravitate to the lighthouses,” Murry said. “Lighthouses are important to a lot of people, so we wanted to do this project. I’m excited to have people watch it and see all the love and care we put into it behind the scenes.”

As Kuch Finkler and Murray tell the stories of the lighthouses, they are also honoring the people who helped preserve them.

“We can celebrate the people behind the stories who had the foresight to preserve the lighthouses,” Kuch Finkler said. “No one is building lighthouses anymore, so we have to support these beacons so future generations can be a part of their stories as well.”

“Illuminating the Great Lakes Lighhtouses of Lake Erie” will air at 9 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 11; Thursday, Sept. 18; and Thursday, Sept. 25. The series can be livestreamed or viewed on-air, on-demand or on the PBS app. For viewing options or more information, visit https://www.wbgu.org/lighthouses/.