Ever dream of staying in a lighthouse? Here are some cool opportunities
The presence of lighthouses in the U.S. is about as old as the nation itself. So is the role of lighthouse keepers, who were responsible for maintaining their structures and ensuring their shining lights remained visible to passing ships.
These days, lighthouses across the country have been getting some help with their upkeep through volunteer programs.
Click here to see more of New Dungeness, Mission Point, Pottawatomie and Wood Island on the USLHS Research Catalog
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Climb the Anclote Key (FL) lighthouse, a Gulf Coast landmark with more than a century of history.
What debuted in the late 1800's as a shining beacon of light, then eventually fell into disrepair, is now back in restored condition and open for visitors to climb 127 steps to the top.
The Anclote Key lighthouse is a national historic landmark situated a few miles west of Tarpon Springs along Florida's Gulf Coast. Although the lighthouse was battered by Hurricane Idalia, which tore through the Big Bend region of the state in late August, it recently received an $800,000 facelift, including a fresh coat of paint inside and out. This follows a $1.5 million restoration project that wrapped up in September 2003, ushering in a bright new chapter with a relighting ceremony.
Click here to see more of Anclote Key on the USLHS Research Catalog
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Canadian Lighthouse group gears up for another season
The Porphyry Lighthouse programs have been a hit with visitor, including with the previous artist in residence, Mary Espinosa, who shared that "a week was not enough time to explore" there lighthouses on Lake Superior.
Charter passengers to Porphyry were amazed at the island's beauty and the story of transshipment that these lighthouses embody. The lighthouse group will this season again offer unique opportunities to learn about the environment and history of the area and maybe make a contribution to the future sustainability of these historic sites.
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Cape May Lighthouse (NJ) to offer full moon, new moon tours
Cape May Point - Climb the Cape May Lighthouse at night under the light of the full moon or under the new moon when the stairs shine.
Both tours will be offered starting this spring.
Visitors making the trip can stop along the climb and learn the history of the lighthouse through a series of interpretive panels. Binoculars are welcome.
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Click here to see more of Cape May on the USLHS Research Catalog
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Sodus Point (NY) Lighthouse holding 2024 Eclipse Party
An Eclipse viewing event is set to be held on the lawn of the Sodus Point Lighthouse on April 8.
Surrounding the Lighthouse, food trucks, doughnuts, hot chocolate and beer will be part of the viewing event, along with one pair of viewing glasses per ticket provided.
Click here to see more of Sodus Point on the USLHS Research Catalog
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Photobook illuminates the beauty of Michigan lighthouses
Michigan photographer Danielle Jorae wrote, designed and published Lighthouses of Michigan-Lower Peninsula to fulfill a wish of her childhood self.
"I ran across a document from when I was in kindergarten that outlined how I wanted to become an artist and writer one day," Jorae said. "When I found that, it was in the moment that I knew that I needed to write a book and make it with these lighthouses."
Click here to see more of Michigan's lighthouses on the USLHS Research Catalog
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Barnegat (NJ) Lighthouse Still in Peril
For anyone familiar with Long Beach Island or the Jersey Shore in general, Barnegat Lighthouse is part of the culture. Today if this symbol were threatened by man or nature, we would expect the government to rush in and eliminate the threat.
But one problem with history is for the most part we know the outcome. If you watch a movie about the attack on Pearl Harbor or the maiden voyage of the Titanic, it's hard to have a surprise ending.
Click here to see more of Barnegat on the USLHS Research Catalog
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A new beginning for Pigeon Point, CA
The 150th anniversary of Pigeon Point Light Station in late 2022 was an occasion accompanied by mixed emotions. The endurance of the storied 115-foot lighthouse, the tallest on the West Coast, was reason to celebrate.
Yet the nautical beacon, now a state park listed on the National Register of Historic Places, remained closed to the public after chunks of the building cascaded to the ground in 2001.
Click here to see more of Pigeon Point on the USLHS Research Catalog
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Ludington State Park (home of Big Sable Point Lighthouse) MI, completely closing for nearly a year
Some of the features the park is best known for are its Lake Michigan shoreline and iconic Big Sable Point Lighthouse.
This summer is your last chance to visit Ludington State Park before it completely closes for almost a year.
Click here to see more of Big Sable Point on the USLHS Research Catalog
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Gonzalo Lebrija designs sculptural lighthouse that "feels like a temple" in Mexico
Mexican artist Gonzalo Lebrija has unveiled the sculptural El Faro lighthouse and art gallery on the Costalegre coast in western Mexico.
Built on a peninsular as part of a wider development, El Faro was designed as an exhibition space and local "landmark", that will also operate as a lighthouse for local boats and fishermen.
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U.S. Lighthouse Society News is produced by the U.S. Lighthouse Society to support lighthouse preservation, history, education and research.
If you have items of interest to the lighthouse community and its supporters, please email them to Jeremy D’Entremont at Jeremy@uslhs.org