Lighthouse License Plate Helps Fundraising
By Sue Clark on Mar 17, 2008 in News 
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Lighthouses To Benefit
Michigan has one of the most proactive lighthouse preservation programs in the country, as is only fitting for the state with the most lighthouses (124). According to a March 17 story in the Detroit Free Press, sales of the specialty license plate featuring White Shoal Lighthouse has garnered $215,000 for lighthouse funding grants. And $25 of every $35 spent to purchase the plate goes to the funding of grants for lighthouse restoration and preservation and has awarded more than $1 million since its start in 2000.
The Lighthouse Program was started in response to the National Historic Preservation Act of 2000, when 70 of Michigan’s lighthouses were potential giveaways by the Coast Guard. A lot of people don’t realize that the mainland only coast of Michigan is approximately 3200 miles (this isn’t counting the coastlines of islands) and that although landlocked, the Great Lakes can be more treacherous than the open ocean. Between 10,000 and 15,000 lives have been lost among the five lakes since record keeping began in the 1700s (figures courtesy of Great Lakes Shipwreck Research).
Grant Recipients For 2008
- Charlevoix Historical Society - Charlevoix South Pier Lighthouse - $39,800
- Rust removal and paint preparation including lead paint abatement and repainting.
- DeTour Reef Light Preservation Society - DeTour Reef Light Station - $20,000
- Rehabilitation of the diaphone foghorn system.
- Grand Traverse Lighthouse Museum - Grand Traverse Light Station - $40,000
- Replacement of windows in lighthouse and fog signal building with historically correct windows.
- Great Lakes Lighthouse Keepers Association - Cheboygan River Front Range Light - $21,000
- Reinforcement of the wooden frame, restoration of lantern room exterior and observation deck walkway and replacement of rotted windowsill in lantern room.
- Peninsula Township - Old Mission Point Lighthouse - $9,000
- Reroof and paint catwalk, replace fascia and soffitt at lighthouse and costs of scaffolding rental.
- Ontonagon County Historical Society - Ontonagon Harbor Lighthouse - $40,000
- Masonry repairs on keeper’s house, privy and oil house.
- Delta County Historical Society - Sand Point Lighthouse - $6,000
- Chimney work and cost of hiring an architect to design plans for water diversion away from walls and base of lighthouse.
- Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society - Whitefish Point Light Tower - $40,000
- Stripping the paint, lead abatement, priming and painting the tower.
It’s possible to purchase a sample license plate from the Michigan Secretary of State if you want to help fund this very important program. Cost is $35 and you can order online.
Photo Credit: Michigan Lighthouse plate from Michigan Secretary of State.
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