Tawas Point Lighthouse Keepers Program (MI) offers opportunities in 2022
Lighthouse enthusiasts are invited to serve this summer as volunteer lighthouse keepers at the Tawas Point Lighthouse, in Tawas Point State Park. Keepers will receive lodging on site in exchange for conducting guided tours of the lighthouse. In 2022 the program will run from May 17 through Oct. 18.
At least four keepers are needed for each two-week period. Those with knowledge of lighthouse lore or Great Lakes maritime history are especially encouraged to apply. Those selected will receive historical information packets and on-site orientation to help prepare them for their tour duties.
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Port Clinton Lighthouse (OH) keeps growing stronger, preserving historic local icon
Despite the tumultuous and uncertain waters presented by not only COVID-19, but also the strong storms at times battering the local Lake Erie coast, one historical icon remains standing as tall — the Port Clinton Lighthouse, a beacon to many near and far, as well as to those who keep it. “The health of our conservancy is quite good,” said Rich Norgard, president of the Port Clinton Lighthouse Conservancy.
It is the last remaining pier light of its kind on Lake Erie and one of the few on all of the Great Lakes, according to Norgard.
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Experience Jupiter Lighthouse (FL) at sunset
Looking for an extra special place to enjoy date night? Celebrate the middle of the week with a sunset, made all the more beautiful at the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse & Museum. For approximately an hour, museum docents give you a tour of the landmark’s watch room and grounds as you witness the lighthouse fire up for the evening. You couldn’t ask for a better location!
Click here for more information
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Absecon Lighthouse (NJ) celebrates 165th anniversary
People were saying “happy birthday, Abby” last weekend as they celebrated the 165th anniversary of the Absecon Lighthouse. There was no cake at this birthday party, but the lighthouse did offer visitors other goodies, like an in-person “2-4-1” climbing special, guided tours of the museum and plenty of the lighthouse’s rich history.
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Harbor of Refuge Lighthouse (DE) to get funding
Delaware’s congressional delegation announced Jan. 19 that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers plans to spend $51.5 million in fiscal year 2022 on improvements to Delaware’s ports and waterways, using funds from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act signed into law this past November. The funding includes $250,000 for repairing and stabilizing the Harbor of Refuge Lighthouse off Cape Henlopen point in the Delaware Bay.
In August 2020, Delaware River and Bay Lighthouse Foundation volunteers called the situation at the Harbor of Refuge Lighthouse dire. Board member William “Red” Moulinier said roughly 70 percent of the rocks on the breakwater around the base of the 96-year-old lighthouse were washed away, and the deterioration of the lighthouse’s concrete base was disturbing.
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Historic Şile Lighthouse in Istanbul, Turkey, reopened after restoration work
An historic lighthouse located in Istanbul’s far northeast has been reopened following comprehensive restoration work. Commissioned by the Ottoman Sultan Abdülmecid I and constructed in 1859 by French engineers, the lighthouse overlooking the Black Sea from the northern slopes of the Turkish metropolis had been non-stop in service until August 2020.
2010 was the 150th anniversary of the inauguration of the lighthouse. For this purpose, celebrations organized by the local municipality were held with the participation of thousands of people mostly from districts and villages on Istanbul’s Asian side.
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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
Jeremy D’Entremont is the author of more than 20 books and hundreds of articles on lighthouses and maritime history. He is the president and historian for the American Lighthouse Foundation and founder of Friends of Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouses, and he has lectured and narrated cruises throughout the Northeast and in other regions. He is also the producer and host of the U.S. Lighthouse Society podcast, “Light Hearted.” He can be emailed at Jeremy@uslhs.org