SBMM’s Executive Director Greg Gorga presents History & Travels of Point Conception Lighthouse Lens
Our January 21 presentation “Arthur E. Beaumont: Art of the Sea” has been rescheduled for Thursday, April 15, 2021. In its place, on January 21 at 7pm, we are delighted to announce that SBMM’s Executive Director Greg Gorga will bring his unique insight and style to a presentation on the “History & Travels of the Point Conception Lighthouse Lens.” Executive Director in charge at the time the lighthouse lens was acquired by the museum, Greg will provide his first-hand look at the lighthouse, the lens and the whole amazing story of how the lens was taken apart, transported by crane, helicopter, and truck, and then reassembled in the Harbor.
History & Travels of the Point Conception Lighthouse Lens A Zoom Presentation by Executive Director, Greg Gorga
Where: Santa Barbara Maritime Museum, 113 Harbor Way, Santa Barbara online
When: Thursday, January 21, 2021 at 7:00pm
Cost: Free, but registration is required. Donations welcome.
Registration: here
Sponsored by: Marie L Morrisroe
Point Conception, considered sacred ground by the Chumash, is the headland where California’s coast goes from a north-south orientation to east-west, making a natural division between Southern and Northern California. Ever since it was first lit on February 1, 1856, the Point Conception Lighthouse has guarded the treacherous Pacific waters where the Santa Barbara Channel and Pacific Ocean meet on the western edge of Santa Barbara County. Such a dangerous place for mariners, Point Conception was dubbed The Cape Horn of California.
Join us on January 21, 2021 to hear SBMM Executive Director Greg Gorga talk about the unique importance of California’s Point Conception Lighthouse and the original 165-year-old First Order Fresnel Lens that now resides at the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum. Learn about the history of Fresnel technology, the lives of the keepers who lived in this desolate location and hear a first-hand account of all that was involved in relocating the 18 foot tall, 6,000-pound lens from Pt. Conception to SBMM in 2013. Find out about “lampists,” the work required to reinforce the Waterfront Building, the stages of the lens travel—from crane to helicopter to truck—and the cleaning and reassembly of the lens to its current appearance. Gorga’s presentation will also include mention of Julia Williams and the Santa Barbara Lighthouse.
Greg Gorga, Executive Director, joined the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum in February 2007 as Director of Development, and has served as the Executive Director since May 2008. Gorga has a B.A. in English from Rutgers University. He has more than eighteen years of experience working with nonprofit agencies, including Manager of Planning & Development for the Community Action Commission. Gorga is the immediate Past President of the Council of American Maritime Museums, formerly served as Chair of the City of Santa Barbara Community Development & Human Services Committee, and currently serves on the Board of Visit Santa Barbara.