A multifaceted Grand Opening Celebration for the Eldred Rock Lighthouse commemorated the 120th anniversary of its commissioning on June 1, 1906. This marked the culmination of years of volunteer-driven restoration work by the Eldred Rock Lighthouse Preservation Association, transforming Alaska’s oldest original lighthouse into a safe, accessible historic site for public visits and Keeper Quarters rentals. The Grand Opening included in-town events in Haines and Juneau as well as a Grand Opening Cruise on Saturday, May 30, 2026.
Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at Eldred Rock: Grand Opening cruises departed from the ports of Juneau (approximately 55 miles south) and Haines (approximately 17 miles north), converging at Eldred Rock island in North Lynn Canal for a shared on-site ceremony. This maritime-based format highlighted the lighthouse’s remote location and its historic role as a U.S. Lighthouse Establishment, U.S. Lighthouse Service, and U.S. Coast Guard aid to navigation. As Alaska’s oldest original lighthouse, this ceremony highlighted the fact that the Alaska state flag was flown for the very first time, and the American flag was raised for the first time in over 50 years since automation of the lighthouse in 1973. The Scouts of America had the honor of performing this ceremony.
Grand Opening Cruise Juneau: A special thanks to Goldbelt Transportation who donated passenger vans to from the UAS campus in Auke Bay, AK to embark on cruise to Eldred Rock from Yankee Cove. Board of Directors and some participants were transfered to the island via M/V Cleat, a landing craft donated by the Marine Exchange of Alaska, for a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony and Flag Raising.