Marvel at a spectacular 360° view at the top of the Lighthouse Tower. See a working fishing port and the only ferries running between Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia.

Open daily for tours from mid June to mid September.

Operated by a non-profit community organization.

Admission charged with proceeds going towards the restoration and maintenance of the Lighthouse.

Take the first right outside the ferry compound, or the last left as you approach the terminal.

There are ten rooms in this Lighthouse that have been restored. Each room features numerous displays depicting our cultural heritage.

First Level

Gift Shop

Fully stocked gift shop featuring crafts/products such as jewellery, needle art, glass ware, photos, island scenes, sand products, clothing, etc.
Also available is an interesting collection of nautical souvenirs.


Kitchen

~ Heated originally with wood stove
~Informal gathering place for friends, family and visitors
~Original interior
~ Map on wall for visitors to pin where they are from
~ Pictures of Canadian Astronaut Chris Hadfield in 1999 and American Astronaut John Philips in 2002, visitors to the lighthouse.

 

Interpretive Centre

~ Interpretive Centre for island lighthouses
~ Replica of a Fresnel Lens on display to view
~ Display featuring island lighthouses and their locations
~ Photos of the Wood Islands lightkeepers as well as a photo display featuring Maisie Adams, the first woman lighthouse keeper in Canada
~ Research area

Northumberland Ferries Room

~ Room depicts the history of the ferry service between Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island

~ First crossing was made in 1941 by the Prince Nova. She carried twelve vehicles and her captain was Captain Dicks. He later became well known with his connection to Rum-Running

~ The Confederation in service today carries two hundred and fifty vehicles

~ The Holiday Island, also in service today carries one hundred and sixty vehicles

Rum-Running Room

~ Rum-running occurred during Prohibition
~ PEI was the first province in Canada to have the Prohibition Act in 1901 and the last province to relinquish it in 1948
~ On display in this room is an original rum keg and block and tackle from the Nelly J. Banks, the most famous schooner during this period
~ Also on display is a map showing the three mile off shore limit, history of this era through text, mural, etc.

Second Level

Lightkeeper's Room

~ Restored sleeping quarters of a lightkeeper
~ Room is set up with bed, rocking chair, dresser, wall pictures, chair, articles a keeper would use, etc.


Burning Ship / Phantom Room

~ For at least two hundred years people have reported seeing this schooner on fire in Northumberland Strait
~ In this room you will see a photo display of period sailing vessels, replica of a sail, written history of this era, video and interactive, large replica of a schooner.

Period Bedroom

~ Restored bedroom
~ Bed, rocking chair, cradle, dresser, commode with artifacts on display pertaining to the 1940's
~ Artifacts would include clothing, photos , articles that you would find on a dresser such as mirror and comb set, handkerchief's, little boxes, etc.






Fisheries Room

~ Features photo of Captain Angus Brown and his ship the Stanley that was caught in the ice of Northumberland Strait for over a month. Crew walked across the ice to land to get supplies until she could be set free.
~ Photos of the first ice boats to carry mail across the strait that began in 1775
~ First passenger service. Men had to help slide the boats across the ice but women and children could sit in the boat, fares were charged.
~Showcases featuring fishing items and history through photos and artifacts.

Third Floor

Light Room

~ Used to store supplies and equipment needed for running the light.
~ A barrel of water and two bags of sand were kept in the room in case of fire
~ You will see original tanks in this room. One would have been filled with air and the other with kerosene. The first tank was filled with air while a hand pump would be connected to the second tank full of kerosene. The pressure forced the kerosene upwards into the tower to run the light.

Fourth Floor

Tower

~ Tower is fifty four feet tall
~ Fifty four steps to reach the tower
~ You can see the light twelve miles out to sea
~ Spectacular coastal view - 360

The excellent staff at the Wood Island Lighthouse will be more then happy to tell you about the island way of life from the past to today.
Brass Bell from the M.V. lord Selkirk (car ferry)	Knot tying demostration Compass from the Holiday Island (car ferry)