About CPF and the Awards
The California Preservation Awards are a statewide hallmark, showcasing the best in historic preservation. The awards ceremony includes the presentation of the Preservation Design Awards and the President’s Awards, bringing together hundreds of people each year to share and celebrate excellence in preservation.
The California Preservation Foundation (CPF), a 501c3 nonprofit, was incorporated in 1978. We now support a national network of more than 36,000 members and supporters. Click here to learn how you can become a member.
Point Reyes Lighthouse Team
Project Lead – Kitty Vieth, Architectural Resources Group
Owner / Client – Craig Kenkel, National Park Service
Consulting Engineer – Rod McNeely, Provost & Pritchard Consulting Group
Landscape Architect – Richard Larson, MIG
Glass Conservator – Design – Ariana Makau, Nzilani Glass Conservation
Contractor – Vince Jarak, Abide International
Exhibit Designer – Daniel Quan, Daniel Quan Design
Lead Engineer (Structural) – Dan Manheim, Tennebaum-Manheim Engineers
Architect – Lacey Bubnash, Architectural Resources Group
Consulting Engineer – Pieter Colenbrader, O’Mahony & Myer Electrical Engineering & Lighting Design
Consulting Engineer (Metallurgical) – Douglas Williams, Weld Engineers
Objects Conservator – Design – Jennifer Correia, ARG Conservation Services
Metals Conservator – Design – Christina Varvi, RLA Conservation
Construction Manager – Jack Williams, Atkins Global
Point Reyes Lighthouse Restoration
The Point Reyes Lighthouse is a winner for the 2022 Preservation Design Award for Restoration. Award recipients are selected by a jury of top professionals in the fields of architecture, engineering, planning, and history, as well as renowned architecture critics and journalists. Tickets and sponsorship options are available at californiapreservation.org/awards.
About the Point Reyes Lighthouse
Restoration of the Point Reyes Lighthouse included structural stabilization of the original cast iron base, replacement of obscured acrylic glazing with new glass, new protective coatings and waterproofing, and conservation treatment of the original Fresnel Lens and clockwork mechanism.
After nearly 150 years in a windy, highly exposed marine environment, the Point Reyes Lighthouse suffered deterioration throughout its structure. The lighthouse was retired from service in 1975 and is now open to the public as a historic site.
Previous alterations including replacement of glass with acrylic panels made interpretation for visitors challenging. Additionally, the historic Fresnel lens and clockworks mechanism were also experiencing material decay, made vulnerable to further damage from other aging lighthouse elements.
To create a safe, weathertight space for visitors as well as the long-term display of the lens and clockworks, a major restoration project was undertaken to repair cast iron corrosion, paint coating failures, and water infiltration. New glass was installed at the lantern to improve waterproofing, provide interior UV protection, and restore the lighthouse to its original appearance. Following conservation treatments, the Fresnel lens can once again shine light on the rocky Point Reyes peninsula.