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This past July 20th, Florida’s St. Augustine Lighthouse became the 2nd lighthouse in the United States to be transferred from federal ownership to a non-profit under the National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act of 2000.
In an impressive ceremony, which was held at the foot of the lighthouse, dignitaries from the General Services Administration, U.S. Coast Guard, Department of the Interior, and the National Park Service, the tall black and white spiraling striped lighthouse with its beautiful red top was transferred to the St. Augustine Lighthouse and Museum, Inc.
After the Transfer of Ownership Ceremony, an elaborate buffet and dance was held in three huge tents on the front lawn of the keeper’s house for officials and invited guests.
Earlier in the day, the Florida Lighthouse Association held its quarterly meeting in St. Augustine which was hosted by Kathy Fleming, Executive Director of the St. Augustine Lighthouse and Museum, Guest speakers were John Kelly from the General Services Administration and P. Daniel Smith, Special Assistant to the Director of the National Park Service.
Mr. Kelly gave a slide presentation and talk as to the history behind the National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act of 2000, explaining how the Maine Lights Program, in which over 30 Maine lighthouses were turned over to non-profits, communities and other federal agencies, was the catalyst in the formation and passage into law of what is now the National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act of 2000.
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