Thousands of Resources, Ready to help.
Advantages
Popular
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 2021, the State Historic Preservation Office awarded $126,667 to assist three organizations in preserving Michigan's historic lighthouses.
Crisp Point Lighthouse, Crisp Point Light Historical Society ($60,000, match: $70,000)
Hire a contractor to make exterior renovations to this remote and secluded lighthouse located on the shore of Lake Superior, including removal of existing paint, replacement of deteriorating mortar, and brick, and applying appropriate coatings to the exterior.
North Manitou Shoal Light, North Manitou Light Keepers, Inc. ($50,000, match: $30,000)
Hire a consultant to rehabilitate the watch deck of this offshore lighthouse in upper Lake Michigan known as “the Crib,” including removing non-historic steel plates, repairing holes and cracks in the deck, making improvements to drainage, sealing, and flashing of seams and joints, and resurfacing the entire watch deck.
Fort Gratiot Light Station, Saint Clair County Parks and Recreation ($16,667, match: $8,333)
Hire a contractor to rehabilitate the watch and lantern rooms of Michigan’s oldest lighthouse, including repairs to the interior and exterior metalwork, painting, caulking, and installing new glass in window openings.
Read the press release for more detail about these 2021 MLAP awards.
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 ($60,000)
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.
