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Our Proud Corporate Sponsors
The fear that the Cape Forchu Lightstation would be bulldozed and closed to the public was enough to persuade some people to act immediately. Nancy Knowles, an executive on the Yarmouth County Tourist Association [YCTA], under Director Barrie McGreggor and the board, was appointed to stay on “top of things” with regard to the uncertainty of the future of the Lightstation at Cape Forchu. It was at that time that Nancy came up with the name "Friends of the Yarmouth Light." With the board’s approval, a steering committee was formed with Nancy as Chair. The original Friends of the Yarmouth Light committee consisted of Joan Jenkins, Joan Thibault, Mauritta Fevens, Linda Campbell and Dawn-Marie Skjelmose, all of whom worked with dedication and enthusiasm.
In 1994, contact was made with the Canadian Coast Guard requesting proper
documentation and guidance to lease the lightstation. There would be no
response from the Coast Guard, so in January of 1995, door-to-door requests
for assistance began. On March 15th of that same year, a lease was finally
signed between the Yarmouth County Tourist Association and the Coast Guard
to turn the lightkeeper’s dwelling into a
The first public meeting of Friends of the Yarmouth Light was held at the
Yarmouth County Museum on January 17, 1996 and was attended by approximately
30 people. These 30 people discussed what direction should be taken to save
this site. The first task was to communicate, through the YCTA, with the
Canadian Coast Guard. Years of effort and negotiations followed, with Cape
resident Craig Harding in the position of President of the Board of
Directors. As happens with any crusades, there were ups and downs, and many
frustrations during the initial years until, finally, in 2001 Cape Forchu
Lightstation became the first lighthouse property in the history of Canada
to be turned over by the Canadian Government and saved. Warden Chris Perry
proudly accepted, on
Sadly, Mr. Harding passed away in early 2001; but days before his passing,
he was presented with the paperwork of the official transfer by
representatives of the Canadian Coast Guard, the Municipality of the
District of Yarmouth, as well as the local MLA Richard Hurlburt. Craig’s
efforts and hard work had indeed been successful! The Coast Guard said the
transfer of a working Canadian Lighthouse would likely have never happened
without the perseverance of Craig Harding and Gert Sweeney, Vice-President
of the Friends of the Yarmouth Light Society. Since its inception, the Friends of the Yarmouth Light Society has taken its love and dedication for this alluring icon and nurtured it into the wonderful site that it is today. This non-profit registered society, with the help of local levels of government and countless individual volunteer hours, has helped maintain an important cultural and historical site. A most notable achievement has been the continued operation of the light as a tourist attraction, with thousands of visitors yearly enjoying this wonderful place. The Friends, along with summer employees and many dedicated volunteers, finally opened a museum in what was once the lightkeeper's dwelling. In 1999, two look-offs were added in order to allow visitors to watch the majestic sea and unforgettable sunsets. Onsite amenities, such as stairs and public washroom facilities, were also added to enhance the property. On May 27th, 2006, the Lightstation opened its doors for the season with a new addition, the Mug Up tea room. The 20 seat tea room in the light keepers’ original dining room, was a welcome addition to the sites amenities. Through a property lease from the Municipality of Yarmouth, the Friends of the Yarmouth Light Society, the current lightkeepers of the Cape Forchu Lightstation, are still constantly working to improve this Historical Landmark while ensuring that its original beauty remains. It is because of their dedication and that of a spirited community that the light still shines.
Mission Statement - Friends of the Yarmouth Light
Society
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In
the early 1990’s, it became apparent that lighthouses in many parts of the
world were going to become part of the past because of new satellite
technology. Many lightkeepers were going to be eliminated and the sites
decommissioned. For centuries, these lighthouses were not only the backbone
to navigational aid, but also represented, or held, historical, cultural,
heritage and tourism values for many communities. For that reason, a small
group of concerned local citizens gathered together to try and keep alive
the spirit of Cape Forchu Light and its contribution over the years to the
historic town of Yarmouth and surrounding areas. 
museum which would be operated by the Friends. In May of 1996, the Friends
of the Yarmouth Light Society opened for the summer season with a salute
from the Canadian Coast Guard as they passed by in the Yarmouth Harbour!
behalf
of the Municipality of the District of Yarmouth, the transfer of this
property, and, in turn, the Friends of the Yarmouth Light Society were proud
to be given the role of caretakers of the site.
