Tawas Point State Park is searching for volunteer lighthouse keepers for the historic Tawas Point Lighthouse, situated between Tawas Bay and Lake Huron in Michigan. Built in 1876, the lighthouse is celebrating its 150th anniversary this year, with a storied past that spans key historic events.
Volunteer keepers commit to 30 hours of service over a two-week period, and are responsible for interacting with visitors to the lighthouse, sharing the history of Tawas Point and keeping the lighthouse and light saving station tidy, reports MLive. Although the light was decommissioned in 2016, the fourth order fresnel lens is still intact and available for visitors to view.
Preserved by the Michigan History Center, Tawas Point Light was named to the National Register of Historical Places in 1989, and underwent a yearlong renovation in 2023 to take down the concrete barrier and replace the lighthouse paint. Each room in the lighthouse is dedicated to a different time period, reflecting the lighthouse’s unique and storied history over the decades.
Volunteer keepers must apply in groups of four, and get to stay in the lighthouse, which offers updated accommodations and is $250 per person for the two week stay. The volunteer keeper season runs from May 5 through October 20. Volunteers receive one day off per week over the two week period — the perfect opportunity to visit nearby Mackinac Island. In addition to the rare opportunity to live in a historic lighthouse, volunteers can soak up the beauty of the state park, wake to sunrises over the lake and enjoy beautiful sunsets.
To learn more or apply to volunteer, visit pci.jotform.com.
PHOTO: MICHIGAN HISTORY CENTER FACEBOOK
