LUDINGTON – National Lighthouse Day is Saturday, August 7th. Michigan is the ‘lighthouse state’ with 129 structures still standing. Preserving these incredible stories and unique buildings takes resources on behalf of lighthouse stewards.
“It’s a constant process so yes it’s a very expensive thing and it’s more expensive to do it in the historical way,” says Jim Hardie, Restoration and Maintenance Supervisor for the Sable Point Lighthouse Keepers Association (SPLKA).
The non-profit was started by local residents in 1987 thanks to Dick Smith. Smith grew up spending summers in the lighthouse with an original keeper, in the early 20th century.
It’s a passion and a challenge to preserve the four lighthouses they protect – Little Sable Lighthouse, Big Sable, Ludington Breakwater Lighthouse and White River Light Station. Maintaining the authenticity of the interior and exterior of the building costs time and money.
COVID-19 forced SPLKA to stop tower tours.
“The lifeblood of our organization is from tower tours that’s how we make the bulk of our money,” said Hardie. “We weren’t able to be accessible last year.”
Closing last season made larger maintenance and repair projects impossible, like restoring Big Sable’s tower made from Milwaukee Cream brick and encased in steel. The tower’s lifespan is wearing thin, but to repair the tower SPLKA has to raise several thousand dollars.
Tower tours and gift shop sales provides most of the income for SPLKA. Michigan Lighthouse Assistance Program (MLAP) also helps keep SPLKA and other Michigan lighthouses operational. The program is funded by the “Save Our Lights” vanity license plates. Every plate sold contributes $25 to grant awards that go to Michigan’s lighthouses.
Hardie agrees that one of the best ways to support the mission to preserve, protect and educate the public on the lighthouses is to take a tour from one of the keepers. Keepers rotate in weekly shifts at Big Sable. They stay at the lighthouse to run tours and the gift shop.
For National Lighthouse Day, you can support Michigan’s lighthouses by donating or taking a trip to site.
There’s also the 5th Annual Michigan Lighthouse Festival. This year, the host is Mission Point Lighthouse in Traverse City.
In honor of the 150th Anniversary of Mission Point, a visiting Ohio couple donated $10,000 towards its preservation efforts.
big sable
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