Historic Preservation

Preservation Guides

Whether you’re a home or a business in Vermilion’s Historic District, we encourage you to be mindful of historic and preservation efforts when upgrading or restoring your home or building. All façade improvements including painting, and repair, the addition of signage or changes to your storefront must be brought before Vermilion’s Historic Design and Review Commission, which meets the first Wednesday of every month. Before you begin your project, you may find it helpful to review these short, project specific guides that address why preservation is important and how to approach signage, painting, and storefront remodeling in the historic district. If you have additional questions or need guidance, please call Main Street Vermilion at 440.963.0772. Click on your specific area of interest to view or download.

Historic Preservation: Includes the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation

Storefront Design: Architectural appropriateness

Painting: Choosing the right color

Signage: Creating good signage

The Vermilion Lighthouse

Main Street Vermilion's historic preservation efforts included aiding the Lighthouse Preservation Committee with the conservation and upkeep of this important landmark. Nothing is more iconic to the local landscape than the Vermilion Lighthouse, which looks out over Lake Erie at the foot of Main Street. There's a rich, deep history to this marvelous structure and a dedicated, ongoing effort to preserve it for generations to come.

Formed in 2014, the Lighthouse Preservation committee, later joining Main Street Vermilion under the Historic Preservation committee served as guardians of the lighthouse for six years to educate the public about the historical significance of lighthouses. Within two years, the committee raised funds to have a 5th order Barbier and Fenestre Fresnel lens fabricated. Installed in September 2016, the structure now stands as an active navigational aid. A lighthouse keeper was appointed the same year to carry on the tradition of keeping the structure in good order and the light shining.

Visitors are welcome at the lighthouse any time of day. Nearby is a favorite photo spot for locals and tourists. The familiar 5-ton propeller from the Tug Pennsylvania and the popular anchor salvaged from a Great Lakes cargo vessel.

Today, the lighthouse, propellor and anchor are all under the care of the City of Vermilion.

Guided Presentations

For groups of 10 or more, Main Street Vermilion can arrange guided presentations of the structure that includes the history, restoration and a closer look at our most popular landmark. Contact Main Street Vermilion at mainstreetvermilion@gmail.com. [Visitors cannot access the interior of the Main Street Vermilion lighthouse.]

Are you a lighthouse enthusiast? 

Would like to become one? Join the U.S. Lighthouse Society.

Lighthouse Passports

Main Street Vermilion is one of 450 locations across the country where you can buy passports and get it stamped with the Vermilion Lighthouse insignia. Stop in the Main Street Building , 685 Main Street to add to your collection. 

Vermilion History Museum Floating Exhibit

Main Street Vermilion is proud to host a floating exhibit featuring items from the Vermilion History Museum at the Main Street Vermilion building, 685 Main Street. “At its core, Main Street Vermilion is a historic preservation organization,” says Carolyn Hill Chair of the Historic Preservation Committee. “Our mission includes celebrating the rich history of Vermilion.”

The display will be changed seasonally to reflect what might have been happening during that season in Vermilion.

The inaugural display includes: Photographs of Vermilion River, historic Main Street Beach, and Kishman Fish Company. A Baker Compass Co. marine compass is also included in the collection to represent the nautical history in Vermilion. Other items include a South Shore Spanish Olives Bottle and a Mauer-Wikel Inc. Bottle which are products specific to Vermilion and pamphlets for the Vermilion Garden Club, The Vermilion Tailorettes 4-H Club, and the Business and Profession Women of Vermilion Club which were all organizations for women to be involved in the Vermilion Community.

This project is a collaboration between Main Street Vermilion and the Vermilion History Museum. To view the complete collection of memorabilia, visit the museum at 727 Grand Street. Call 440.967.4555 for hours or visit www.vermilionhistory.org/museaum.