Photos courtesy of Barcelona Lighthouse on Facebook The Barcelona Lighthouse is eyeing a restoration project to allow for the public to ascend to the top of the tower, as well as other improvements around the site itself.

WESTFIELD — One of the most beautiful scenes along the Lake Erie shoreline in Chautauqua County could soon see its historic structure revitalized.

A restoration project of the Barcelona Lighthouse in Westfield’s Barcelona Harbor through the New York State Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Department is in the design and preliminary fundraising phase.

“We are hoping, contingent on funding, to contract the specialized restoration work and begin that work on the tower within the next year,” said Park Manager II Marla Bingham-Connelly.

According to Bingham-Connelly and the Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Department, plans for the Barcelona Lighthouse property include development into a full State Historic Site that will offer historic interpretive programming.

The restoration project also calls for the lower property along the harbor shore to be utilized, as well, to be the shoreline connection between the Town of Westfield Harbor and the Barcelona area business district. Those plans include development of trails, a harbor/commercial fishing interpretive area, a fishing pier, and other amenities.

Currently, the base of the lighthouse tower is open to the public for viewing from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend. Once the restoration project is completed, the public is expected to be permitted to ascend to the top of the tower.

According to Bingham-Connelly, the lighthouse welcomes a mixture of patrons. Some are locals who regularly enjoy the property, including the back porch of the Keeper’s Cottage. Other visitors are tourists passing through Westfield who notice the tower, located near Exit 60 of Interstate 90. Bingham-Connelly also said that lighthouse enthusiasts do occasionally plan visits to visit the Barcelona Lighthouse. Once the tower is restored to permit public ascent, the expectation is that more tourists will visit the site.

Fundraising is ongoing, with a Friends of the Lighthouse group also currently in the works. To donate or for more information, contact the Barcelona Lighthouse office at (716) 326-2360 or email BarcelonaLH@parks.ny.gov