The National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act of 2000 (NHLPA) amends the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 and allows federal agencies, local/state governments, and nonprofit organizations to apply for lighthouses deemed excess by the federal government. If no suitable applicant is found through a stewardship transfer, the lighthouse goes to auction and is given to the highest bidder where a private individual or organization assumes responsibility of the lighthouse. Since the lighthouses are still active aids to navigation, the U.S. Coast Guard still maintains the light. With the automation of the lights in the twentieth century, it was necessary for new lighthouse keepers to maintain the buildings associated with historic light stations. Legislation, such as the Maine Lights Program and the NHLPA, was put into place to find potential stewards. This program is a joint effort between the U.S. Coast Guard, General Services Administration, and the National Park Service to ensure the protection of historic light stations so future generations can enjoy these historic landmarks along America’s coastlines.

In order to learn more about the new lighthouse keepers, I am conducting a survey of owners of lighthouses that have been conveyed through the National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act of 2000 in order to better understand the management process, renovations undertaken, and the challenges and rewards of ownership. I am also looking at the different types of lighthouses conveyed, what year they were constructed and architectural features. The responses and data submitted through this survey will be used in my thesis and will become a valuable tool in my study. The survey should take no more than fifteen minutes of your time.

Below is a link to my survey:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/LighthouseOwners

Please only submit a survey if the lighthouse has been conveyed through the NHLPA.

If you have any questions, please contact me at jleeds@g.clemson.edu.

Submitted by Jennifer Leeds, MS Candidate in Historic Preservation, Clemson University/College of Charleston, on January 16, 2017

Candace Clifford

Candace was the US Lighthouse Society historian from 2016 until she passed away in August 2018.  For 30 years, her work involved lighthouse history.  She worked with the National Park Service and the Council of American Maritime Museums. She was a noted author and was considered the most knowledgable person on lighthouse information at the National Archives.  Books by Candace Clifford include: Women who Kept the Lights: a History of Thirty-eight Female Lighthouse Keepers ,  Mind the Light Katie, and Maine Lighthouses, Documentation of their Past.