Split Rock Lighthouse to Host Annual Edmund Fitzgerald Memorial Beacon Lighting

TWO HARBORS, Minn. (October 31, 2023) – Twenty-nine crew members lost on Lake Superior will be remembered at Split Rock Lighthouse on November 10, the anniversary of the SS Edmund Fitzgerald’s sinking. The ceremony will include an online livestream of the event for those who cannot attend in person.

At 4:15 pm, the lighthouse will temporarily close as the names of the 29 crew members who were lost aboard the Edmund Fitzgerald will be read aloud to the tolling of a ship’s bell with the rendition of the Naval Hymn. Afterward, guests will get the rare opportunity to see the lighthouse’s beacon lit and the tower will open again until 6 pm.

A free live stream will be available on Split Rock Lighthouse’s Facebook Page, and the Minnesota Historical Society’s YouTube channel for those who cannot join in person. Those planning to watch the livestream can register for event reminders online.

Beginning at 10 am, the lighthouse, fog signal building, and visitor center will be open to visitors. Guides will provide historic site and shipwreck information. A film about the Edmund Fitzgerald will be shown in the visitor center and a guided tour will run throughout the day.

Tickets include admission to the site between 10 am and 6 pm on November 10. General Admission tickets to the Edmund Fitzgerald Beacon Lighting costs $12 for adults. College students, military members, and seniors are eligible for $10 tickets. Tickets for children ages 5-17 cost $8, and admission is free for children under 5 years of age. MNHS members save 20 percent. 

Guests planning to attend in person are encouraged to bring a flashlight or headlamp and prepare for all weather conditions.

What:
Edmund Fitzgerald Memorial Beacon Lighting
When:
November 10
10 am–6 pm
Where:
3713 Split Rock Lighthouse Rd.
Two Harbors, MN 55616
Cost:
$8-12/MNHS members save 20%

To learn more about the event, visit mnhs.org/splitrock.

About the Minnesota Historical Society
The Minnesota Historical Society is a non-profit educational and cultural institution established in 1849. MNHS collects, preserves and tells the story of Minnesota’s past through museum exhibits, libraries and collections, historic sites, educational programs, and book publishing. Using the power of history to transform lives, MNHS preserves our past, shares our state’s stories, and connects people with history.