That has now changed.

On Tuesday, a ribbon-cutting ceremony was held in front of the lighthouse on Route 5 in the town of Westfield, where the door of the lighthouse was opened and the public could go up the 47 steps to the top.

The Barcelona Lighthouse Rehabilitation and Revitalization Project Phase I began in October 2023 and cost around $2.9 million.

For phase I, the tower’s exterior was renovated, the center stairwell was replaced and the top deck was repaired.

Pictured is the Barcelona Harbor Museum and Lighthouse. While the museum has been open, the lighthouse had been closed before this Phase I remodeling.

In addition, the garage was renovated where restrooms were installed as well as a gift shop.

The 40-foot-tall stone light tower was built in 1829 and was the world’s first natural gas lit lighthouse. After being decommissioned from the Federal Lighthouse Service in 1859, the tower became privately held through multiple owners until 2007 when it was acquired by New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.

Although the lighthouse no longer is used for navigational purposes, the light is still visible today through an agreement with the town of Westfield, powered by natural gas. The lighthouse is listed on the U.S. National Register of Historical Places.

Westfield Town Supervisor Martha Bills was among the local officials who spoke at the ribbon cutting ceremony. “This will be loved by residents and visitors alike. We’re so happy to see it renovated and its historical significance recognized beyond the shores of Lake Erie,” she said.

Starting Memorial Day weekend, the lighthouse and museum will be open seven days a week 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Sept. 1.

New stairs were installed inside the Barcelona Lighthouse.

Visitors to the lighthouse receive a guided tour to the top of the lighthouse where photographs can be taken of Barcelona Harbor. Currently there is no charge to attend, although that may change in the future. Park employee officials noted that New York typically charges $7 a person for state parks, which the Barcelona Museum and Lighthouse is classified.

Even though Phase I is completed, there are at least two more phases planned.

Phase II will include stabilization and the installation of a walkway, including some stairwells which will go down to the lake.

This phase is expected to start this summer.

Phase III will include renovation of the cottage on the lower level where historic programming will take place.

This photo was taken at the top of the Barcelona Lighthouse. The light pictured is powered by natural gas.

Also as part of Phase III, a fishing tug has tentatively been donated. Should that donation go through, it will be placed on land for public access of some form.

For more information call 716-677-7035, email BarcelonaLH@parks.ny.gov or visit the https://parks.ny.gov/ and search for Barcelona Lighthouse.