GLLKA works with other lighthouse organizations, offering direction in legislative processes and other aspects, to enable them to achieve their preservation and restoration goals. The preservation/restoration process is expensive. Contributions are encouraged for cost of maintenance and reconstruction of lighthouse projects, as determined by the GLLKA board of directors.

To assist interested those interested in learning more about the process of lighthouse preservation, and in possibly helping to save one of these historic structures, we offer an online version of the Great Lakes Lighthouse Museum's Beginner's Guide to Saving a Lighthouse, written by Sandy Planisek and Dick Moehl. Click here to download this publication in Adobe PDF form.

RESTORATION OF ST. HELENA ISLAND LIGHT STATION
St. Helena light station was established in 1873, and is situated in the western Straits of Mackinac in northern Lake Michigan. The station was manned by a number of Keepers and their families until the light was automated in 1922.

GLLKA began restoration of the Light Station in 1986 upon receiving a thirty year license from the U.S. Coast Guard. St. Helena was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1988.

GLLKA received a quit claim deed for the St. Helena Island Light Station in 1997, through legislative transfer.

Numerous national, state and other awards (Take Pride in America Award, Keep Michigan Beautiful Award, Mid-West Living Hometown Pride Award, President Bush's 630th Daily Point of Light) have been achieved in this historic restoration, primarily by youth groups.

GLLKA's dual-faceted goal is to preserve the light station while creating a new generation of preservationists. All of St. Helena's preservation work has been aided by youthful participants. Energetic and motivated youth, working on-site, become attached to the light station and will return to protect and preserve it for the future.

To reach youthful participants in a different forum GLLKA offers a Maritime Heritage Educational Program at St. Helena to teach educators methods to bring our maritime heritage to life in the classroom.

Restoration of the dwelling is now nearly complete. The privy and oil house have been restored and the assistant keepers dwelling has been rebuilt by Boy Scouts according to historic standards via photographs. Currently, the boathouse is being reconstructed to complete the full compliment of structures that constituted the historic light station.

GLLKA uses the light station for educational seminars and workshops in the midst of the restoration program. If you would like to assist or contribute to this award-winning project, please feel free to contact us.

Access to the St. Helena Light Station is limited. If you are interested in visiting the island, please contact us, and we will inform you of scheduled visits to the island.

With considerable experience and expertise in the restoration of an offshore light station, GLLKA is actively involved in seeking additional restoration opportunities around the Great Lakes.