Erie LighthousesLauren Verno and Christina Borelli

The Work of Art: Presque Isle Lighthouse

- -weathered-rustic-rather small (for a lighthouse)-concealed by trees-old-dull-simplistic-geometric-attached to a private residence-closed to public-surrounded by colorful leaves-smell of the lake/beach-smell of autumn leaves-sound of cars passing by-sound of wind-sounds of the water-sound of birds/wildlife

The Work of Art: North Pierhead Lighthouse

- -rusty-modern-bold stripes-rather small-graffiti-geometric-simplistic design-rough texture-beat up-surrounded by open water-noticeable to the public-lots of sightseers-sounds of water-sounds of birds-sounds of nearby fishermen-sound of boats-smell of fish

The Work of Art: Erie Land Lighthouse

- -circular-made of sandstone-some parts covered in moss-well-kept, only a little weathered-rough texture-connected to small, square building-private residence nearby -surrounded by bright fall leaves-flowers and pumpkin displayed on steps-fairly tall-looked fairly new-smell of fresh air-smell of wet leaves-sounds of birds-sounds of water-sounds of nearby construction

Questions: Presque Isle Lighthouse

-Why is it a private residence?-How long has it been standing?-How long has it been a private residence?-Is the lighthouse currently active?-Why did the architect construct it connected to a house?-Who lives in the residence?-How tall is the lighthouse?-How many steps lead to the top?-Is it useful for boats if it’s so far offshore and concealed?

Questions: North Pierhead Lighthouse

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-Do the stripes mean something?-Are the stripes purposeful to boaters?-Is it active?-Is it owned by the US Coast Guard (since it’s on their property)?-Who maintains it?-How far does the light shine?-How old is it?-How many steps are inside?-How tall is it?-Is the surrounding water a high traffic area for boats?-Are there a lot of sightseers?

Questions: Erie Land Lighthouse

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-Was the lighthouse recently restored?-Is sandstone a durable building material?-Do the people who live in the nearby private residence take care of the lighthouse?-Was the house built for the lighthouse keepers?-How many steps are inside?-Is it taller than the other Erie lighthouses?-Does the light still shine?-Who put up the pumpkin and flower display? -Is the lighthouse useful for boaters since it’s so far from the water?

Contextual Information: Presque Isle LighthouseCultural/Social:

-built closer to the lake to better mark the peninsula

-known as “The Flashlight” among mariners

-uses “Fresnel” lens mounted at the top of the tower, designed by French physicist Augustin Fresnel

-keepers live in the house, which consists of oil room, bedrooms, dining room, kitchens, drying room, cistern, and cellar.

Historical:

-established in 1873

-cost $15,000

-built to replace the Erie Land Lighthouse

-made of brick, originally 40 feet tall, then increased to 57

-Charles Waldo was the first keeper

Contextual Info (cont):

Contextual Info (cont):

Contextual Information: North Pierhead LighthouseCultural/Social:

-now owned by the US Coast Guard

-keepers dwelling can be seen at the Coast Guard Station

-mounted on the outer end of the north pier forming the entrance to Presque Isle Bay and Erie Harbor

-according to an Erie Indian legend, Presque Isle was created to protect the Erie Indians from the stormy waters

Historical:

-established in 1857

-had a red Fresnel lens until 1995 when it was given a modern flashing red light

-cost $5,250

-made of cast iron, two stories tall

-Samuel Foster was the first keeper

Contextual Info (cont):

Contextual Information: Erie Land LighthouseCultural/Social:

-land was bought from the Iroquois Nation in 1792

-work was delayed by the War of 1812

-one defect was that the lamp chimneys were too short and soot collected on the reflectors, reducing the effectiveness

-after the other lighthouses were built, it was deemed less useful

Historical:

-established in 1818

-made of brick, now stands 56 feet

-built to improve navigation on the Great Lakes

-first American Lighthouse on the Great Lakes

-John Bone was the first keeper

Contextual Info (cont):

Contextual Info (cont):

Contextual Info (cont):

Personal Connections

-The lighthouses reminded us of our family vacations to various beaches where we encountered other lighthouses.

-The lighthouses made us think about the lighthouse keepers. We wondered who they were and what their stories were.

-We wondered if Erie residents know about the lighthouses and their history.

-They reminded us of years ago when the lighthouses were one of the only forms of navigation for boaters. Also, how things would be different now if GPS systems were not invented.

Curricular Connections-Children’s Literature:

Read the books with the class after visiting the lighthouses. The books might answer questions they have after the visits.

Curricular Connections (in class):

-We could discuss with students their noticings after viewing the lighthouses like we do after performances.

-Experiencing the lighthouses first-hand lets the students interact with the art.

-Students can use their imaginations during projects connected to their lighthouse experiences.

-“If our experience of being alive is the most valuable thing, then what we pay attention to becomes a critical choice” (Booth, 53)

-“Aesthetic experiences require conscious participation in a work, a going out of energy, an ability to notice what is there” (Greene, 125)

-“One important characteristic of concepts is that they can be not only recalled but imaginatively manipulated” (Eisner, 78).

Activity Ideas

English:

-Create a story about what it would be like to live as a lighthouse keeper.

-Read stories about lighthouses and compare them with your experiences.

Math:

-Talk about the shapes you see in the structure of the lighthouse. Where else do you see these shapes?

Science:

-Research how weather affects the lighthouse and how it helps boats.

-Research the materials that the lighthouses are made out of, explain why they would be made out of these materials.

Activity Ideas

History:

-Research how lighthouses are used and why they were made.

-Make a timeline of the Erie lighthouses.

Art:

-Construct your own lighthouse out of papier mâché.

-Finger paint a scene of a lighthouse helping a boat in the water.

-Create a comic strip for a day in the life of a lighthouse keeper.

Music:

-Create a song using sounds you hear at the lighthouse (birds, water, boats, etc).

Possible Lines of Inquiry

-Why are lighthouses still useful and recognized today, even with advances in technology?

-How do lighthouses combine functionality and beauty?

-How has the history of lighthouses affected what they are today?

-If lighthouses hadn’t been created, how would that have impacted traveling, boating, and the world today?

Key Ideas

-lighthouses are visually appealing

-lighthouses serve an important purpose for navigation

-even with the invention of new technology, lighthouses still play an important role

-lighthouses have impacted navigation

-the aesthetics of lighthouses (color, shape, line) greatly affect how people perceive it

Line of Inquiry

How do the Erie Lighthouses use shapes, lines, colors, size, and location to be both appealing to the eye as well as purposeful and functional for boaters?

Erie Lighthouses

Reflections

ActivitiesAesthetic Ed

Contextual Info

Questions

Noticings

Who built it?How tall is it?Is it still active?Who are the lighthouse keepers?Who takes care of it?

Presque Isle: 1873, made of brick, first keeper: Waldo North Pierhead: 1857, made of cast iron, first keeper: Foster Erie Land: 1818, made of sandstone, first keeper: Bone

See: geometric shapes, circular shapes, small, weathered, stripes, Smell: beach, fish, leaves, fresh airHear: wind, water, birds, people

Reminded us of family beach vacations. Made us think about the use of lighthouses today.Made us wonder about the lighthouse keepers.

Math: shapesEnglish: storiesScience: effects of weatherHistory: timelineArt: make your own lighthouseMusic: make up a song

Experiencing is important!Be aware of surroundings and noticings.Exercise your imagination as much as possible!

There is art everywhere!Things can be artistic and functional at the same time.As long as you take the time to notice, you’ll find something beautiful.

Everyday World

Mind Map

References:

http://www.lighthousefriends.com/light.asp?ID=290

http://www.lighthousefriends.com/light.asp?ID=292

http://www.lighthousefriends.com/light.asp?ID=289

http://mediamacaroni.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/littlredlighthousebook.jpg

http://media.us.macmillan.com/jackets/258H/9780312220570.jpg

http://images.scholastic.co.uk/assets/a/cf/0e/21864-ml-82263.jpg

Presque Isle Lighthouse Exhibit information (located at the Presque Isle Lighthouse site)

Erie Land Lighthouse Exhibit information (located at the Erie Land Lighthouse site)