Previously Awarded Michigan Lighthouse Assistance Grants (2000-present)
Michigan Lighthouse Assistance Program Grants
Since the Michigan Lighthouse Assistance Program was established in 1999, the State Historic Preservation Office has awarded matching grants annually to promote the preservation of these historic maritime buildings. Grant funds are made available from the revenue generated by the sales of the Save Our Lights fundraising license plate. This map includes a complete list of recipients, as well as the amount of assistance grant funding awarded.
In 2020, the State Historic Preservation Office awarded $60,000 to assist one organization in preserving an historic Michigan lighthouse.
Saint Helena Island Lighthouse, Great Lakes Lighthouse Keepers Association
Hire contractors to remove all existing paint from the lighthouse tower, replace deteriorated mortar and brick, clean all masonry and stone surfaces, replace sealant around openings, rehabilitate the lantern to be watertight, and repaint the entire tower.
Read the press release for more detail about this 2020 MLAP award.
In 2019, the State Historic Preservation Office awarded $113,333 to assist three organizations in preserving Michigan's historic lighthouses.
North Manitou Shoal Light, North Manitou Light Keepers, Inc. ($40,000)
Hire a consultant to produce a Historic Structures Report (HSR) for the North Manitou Shoal Light to guide future rehabilitation.
Grosse Ile Light, Township of Grosse Ile ($40,000)
Hire a contractor to replace damaged exterior wood clapboard and trim, repaint the exterior of the Light, replace wood covers at foundation vents, installation of new wood doors, rehabilitate four double hung windows, repair damaged shellac of interior wood beadboard walls and stair, secure lightning protection cable to the lighthouse.
Eagle Harbor Light Station, Keweenaw County Historical Society ($33,333)
Hire a contractor to rehabilitate 12 double-hung windows including the removal of existing windows and fabrication of new wooden windows, and rehabilitate the lighthouse tower's 2 original casement windows.