Michael Cyr Donates Gargoyle Rain Downspout to the Museum at West Quoddy Head Light
Lighthouses are amazing, but so too are the gleaming gifts from people who share their experiences and memories at a lighthouse like West Quoddy Head. Every so often a very cool moment arises - and what ensues is absolutely extraordinary!
Recently, one such amazing moment occurred when Michael Cyr, retired owner of Saco Bay Casting & Design, LLC, Biddeford, Maine, made contact with Kimberly Ashby, West Quoddy Head Light Keeper’s Association’s Executive Director. Michael Cyr is now forever part of the unfolding history at West Quoddy Head Lighthouse.
During the 2004 lantern restoration, a decision was made to restore the gargoyle water drains around the cupola – eight in all. Only two Maine lighthouses ever possessed this distinctive feature – West Quoddy Head and Petit Manan.
However, since the original gargoyles that adorned each lighthouses disappeared into time, one can imagine what a blessing it was to find a lone surviving gargoyle at the Shore Village Museum in Rockland (now the Maine Lighthouse Museum). A mold could be made! But who was skillful and careful enough to handle such a delicate task involving a rare artifact?
Michael Cyr of Saco Bay Casting & Design Company! After Coast Guard officials met with Michael to learn of his process – and to obtain assurance that the original gargoyle would be protected throughout the process, he set out to make the eight gargoyles that still grace the lantern of West Quoddy Head Lighthouse. Michael would later install the gargoyles on a bone-chilling December day in 2004, but that’s a story for another day!
As all who work in the field would do, Michael casted more than the eight gargoyles required – he also made a few extras just in case. After the 2004 lantern project at West Quoddy Head was completed, the extra gargoyles went into storage. Twenty years later, as Michael Cyr was sorting through boxes from projects long ago, he came across the extra gargoyles once more.
One of the gargoyles was in real good shape – and any imperfections it possessed could easily be removed in the hands of one who excels at his craft, as Michael does. He would later place a call to the West Quoddy Head Light Keeper’s Association (WQHLKA) office and ask our organization if we would like to have the gargoyle as a display item.
When Kimberly Ashby learned of this, she joyfully accepted the generous donation. Kimberly has long wanted to create an exhibit on this distinctive feature of West Quoddy Head Lighthouse. Now, she would not have to utilize imagery and text only, but would have an actual gargoyle to incorporate into a future display!
Before the start of the July 9, 2024 WQHLKA board of trustees meeting, Kimberly unveiled the gargoyle donation to the trustees and shared Michael’s Cyr’s story and kindness with the group. The trustees were thrilled to see such a wonderful addition to the WQHLKA Visitors Center and Museum. A group photo was taken in front of the lighthouse with the gargoyle – celebrating the fact that lighthouse history continues to be made at West Quoddy Head Lighthouse. Thank you, Michel Cyr!
