The Michigan Lighthouse Conservancy and Gull Rock Lightkeepers, both 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations in the State of Michigan, have submitted an application to acquire the Gull Rock Lighthouse located off the tip of the Keweenaw Peninsula of Michigan, near Copper Harbor. The Michigan Lighthouse Conservancy is dedicated to helping preserve and promoting the preservation of Michigan’s lighthouses and life saving stations, which are from the pre-Coast Guard era. Gull Rock Lighthkeepers is dedicated strictly to the preservation of the Gull Rock Lighthouse.
The Michigan Lighthouse Conservancy and Gull Rock Lightkeepers have joined together to help save the Gull Rock lighthouse. An application was submitted to the National Park Service (NPS) for their review. The lighthouse was applied for under the National Lighthouse Preservation Act of 2000 (NLHPA 2000). The application was submitted to the NPS back in September of 2004. NPS returned the application requiring some clarification in four areas. These questions have been answered and the application returned to NPS for final review just before the Christmas holiday in 2004. We are assuming about a three to four month time period of review for the application. No other applicants existed for to save this light station. If NPS approves the application, we expect it to be transferred to the Michigan Lighthouse Conservancy and Gull Rock Lightkeepers sometime this summer.
Gull Rock Lightkeepers is a local organization and will be taking the lead role in the light station restoration. Michigan Lighthouse Conservancy will be helping the lightkeepers with restoration experience, resources and promoting public awareness of the station. Michigan Lighthouse Conservancy and Gull Rock Lightkeepers are actively seeking financial support for restoration of this light station. It is one of the worst damaged lighthouses in the Great Lakes and may be at the top of the list. Please send any financial contributions in as they all will help. Please mark funds “Gull Rock”.
You may reach either organization for questions or donations at the addresses below. Michigan Lighthouse Conservancy, P.O. Box 973, Fenton, MI. 48430 or by telephone at (810) 750-9236.