Historic Michigan lighthouses awarded $120,000 in lighthouse preservation grants

LANSING, MICH. - Preservation activities will continue at two historic Michigan lighthouses with the help of $120,000 in Michigan Lighthouse Assistance Program (MLAP) grants from the Michigan State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), the Michigan Economic Development Corporation announced today. The properties receiving grants are the Grand Haven Entrance Light in Grand Haven and the Keepers Quarters at Whitefish Point Light Station in Chippewa County.

"This year, SHPO is celebrating the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Michigan Lighthouse Assistance Program and is proud to be able to fund the important work that has been done across the state to repair and rehabilitate these icons of the Great Lakes," said State Historic Preservation Officer Ryan Schumaker. "SHPO is pleased to support the ongoing efforts of the Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society and the City of Grand Haven and their partner at the Grand Haven Lighthouse Conservancy to steward these properties, as well as their continued commitment to investing in these two maritime resources."

The 2026 MLAP grant recipients are:

City of Grand Haven

Site: Grand Haven Entrance Light

Location: Grand Haven, MI

MLAP grant amount: $60,000

Match amount: $60,000

The City of Grand Haven will hire a contractor to complete a series of interior rehabilitation projects at the Grand Haven Entrance Light. These projects include replacing doors, restoring floors and guardrails, and installing new interior wall and ceiling sheathing and trim, all of which will be guided by a historic structure report previously prepared for the light. The projects are being completed as part of ongoing efforts by the City and the Grand Haven Lighthouse Conservancy to rehabilitate the interior's historic character and provide public access for the interpretation of the region's maritime history.

"On behalf of the Grand Haven Lighthouse Conservancy, and in proud partnership with the City of Grand Haven, we extend our heartfelt gratitude and profound appreciation for the recent award of a Michigan Lighthouse Assistance Program grant," noted David Karpin, chair of the Grand Haven Lighthouse Conservancy. "This generous investment represents far more than financial assistance-it is a meaningful affirmation of our shared responsibility to preserve Michigan's maritime heritage and protect the historic landmarks that tell the story of our Great Lakes."

Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society

Site: Whitefish Point Light Station

Location: Chippewa County, MI

MLAP grant amount: $60,000

Match amount: $30,000

The Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society will hire a contractor to complete repairs and partial replacement of the metal shingle roof at the keepers quarters at the Whitefish Point Light Station, which is listed in the National Register of Historic Places and the centerpiece of the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum. The keepers quarters are connected via an aerial walkway to the light tower itself, historically allowing the lightkeeper and their assistant to access the lantern room regardless of weather.

"The Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society is very pleased to have financial support from the Michigan Lighthouse Assistance Program for essential repair of the lightkeepers' quarters roof," noted Sean Ley, development officer for the Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society. "The lightkeepers quarters is an original building of the Whitefish Point Light Station, completed in 1861. The property remains open for tours during the summer season, supporting the goal of educating the public of the essential importance of historic preservation in Michigan."

Save Our Lights

Funding for MLAP grants comes from the sale of specialty Save Our Lights vehicle license plates available from the Michigan Secretary of State and through direct donations to the program. To date, the Michigan SHPO has awarded more than $3 million in matching funds to help rehabilitate and preserve dozens of lighthouses for tourists and residents alike to explore and appreciate. To learn more about lighthouse preservation in Michigan, order your plate, or donate directly to the fund, visit http://www.michigan.gov/saveourlights.

With more than 120 lighthouses standing sentinel along Michigan's 3,200 miles of shoreline, Michigan has more lighthouses than any other state in the country. Established in 2000 when many lighthouses were transferred out of federal ownership, the MLAP program is intended to help lighthouse stewards restore and repair their historic lighthouses, which in turn helps keep them open and an active part of local economies around the state as tourist and learning destinations. Applications for the next round of MLAP funding will be available in August 2026.

Many of Michigan's lighthouses are open for tours in the warm weather season. Others are home to bed and breakfast lodging or museums. Many lighthouse beacons are still active aids to navigation, but the buildings themselves are owned and maintained by a nonprofit organization or local units of government. A few are privately owned or in remote locations, inviting admiration from afar. Travelers interested in exploring Michigan's lighthouses can learn more by visiting here.

About the State Historic Preservation Office
Focused on the historic preservation of culturally or archaeologically significant sites throughout the state, Michigan's State Historic Preservation Office's main function is to provide technical assistance to local communities and property owners in their efforts to identify, evaluate, designate, interpret and protect Michigan's historic above- and below-ground resources. SHPO also administers an incentives program that includes federal and state tax credits and pass-through grants available to certified local governments.

To learn more about the State Historic Preservation Office and the Save Our Lights license plate program, visit https://www.miplace.org/historic-preservation/.

About Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC)

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation is the state's marketing arm and lead advocate for business development, job awareness and community development with the focus on growing Michigan's economy. For more information on the MEDC and our initiatives, visit www.MichiganBusiness.org. For Pure Michigan® tourism information, your trip begins at www.michigan.org. Join the conversation on: FacebookInstagramLinkedIn, and Twitter.