The original lantern was installed in 1858 and later replaced by a newer tower in 1904.
The museum holds a permanent exhibit on the Chicago World's Fair of 1893 maritime contributions.
Harriet Colfax, one of the first female lighthouse keepers in the United States, served at this location for 43 years.
The lighthouse tower itself is connected to the keeper's residence by a brick passage.
The collection includes a working Fresnel lens, a critical piece of 19th-century optical technology.
The Old Lighthouse Museum is housed in a restored 1858 dwelling that served the keepers of the Michigan City Lighthouse. It displays maritime history, including life-saving equipment, local shipwreck artifacts, and the history of the harbor. The site includes the original 19th-century keeper's residence and the nearby active pierhead lighthouse. Visitors can climb the lantern room for views of Lake Michigan and the dunes. The museum preserves the heritage of regional commerce and navigation on the Great Lakes.
The view of the lighthouse tower from the beach path with the harbor in the background.
Check the official website before visiting, as the museum follows a seasonal operating schedule.
Wear sensible, flat-soled footwear if you intend to climb the stairs to the lantern room.
Combine your visit with a walk along the adjacent Washington Park beach and pier.
Do not attempt to walk out onto the breakwater during high wind or wave warnings for safety reasons.
Closed on Mondays; traditionally operates on a seasonal basis, closing during the winter months.
Maintain a quiet volume inside the historic keeper's house; photography is generally permitted without flash in sensitive display areas.
