Island Free Press ...Local News

Bodie Island Lighthouse missed out in a national competition to win new windows and doors. The winner is the New Canal Lighthouse in New Orleans, which was badly damaged by Hurricane Katrina in 2005

“With a story of devastating destruction, followed by unwavering hope and hard work, New Canal Lighthouse in Louisiana captures the spirit of New Orleans' rebuilding efforts and has earned the top spot in this year's JELD-WEN Reliable Lighthouse Restoration Initiative,” said a press release from the Oregon-based company that make windows and doors.

The JELD-WEN company said in its announcement that the New Canal Lighthouse had “the most compelling need” for help among the three finalists in the competition.

New Canal Lighthouse, Bodie Island Lighthouse, and Grand Traverse Lighthouse in Michigan were named as the three finalists in September.

The three finalists began as a field of 50 lighthouses nominated to get a window and door makeover from JELD-WEN. The field was narrowed to 12 lighthouses earlier this year, and the public was invited to vote over the summer. The final three received 70 percent of the half million votes.

Bodie Island Lighthouse is also in need of repair, but is not in the sorry state in which Katrina left the New Canal Light.

Built in 1872, the black-and-white Bodie Island Lighthouse needs not only new windows and doors but other major work. However, the National Park Service has not been awarded the funding for the renovations. It is one of the few lighthouses that still has its original first-order Fresnel lens. It is currently not open to the public, but could be when repairs can be made.

As the winner of this year's JELD-WEN Reliable Lighthouse Restoration Initiative, New Canal will receive 16 new windows and two exterior doors, designed to match the 1890 originals as closely as possible in appearance, while offering protection from severe weather.

"The Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation and the entire New Orleans region are so grateful to JELD-WEN for their most generous donation of windows and doors for the New Canal Lighthouse," said Anne Rheams, deputy director and New Canal Lighthouse keeper. "This gift will help reconstruct a historic icon for the citizens of New Orleans and provide hope to an area still recovering from Hurricane Katrina."

The JELD-WEN Reliable Lighthouse Restoration Initiative began in 2005 as a way to preserve U.S. lighthouses with the latest window and door technology and help restore the original architecture and performance of the historic structures. Considered “America’s castles,” lighthouses face some of the most severe climate conditions in the world and many are under threat due to age and lack of resources needed for restoration.