>> Click to enlarge << The St. Augustine Lighthouse and Museum, Inc. now ... Photo by: Alan R. Headley

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.

>> Click to enlarge << Bob Gilbert, who represented Lighthouse Digest ... Photo by: Alan R. Headley

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.

>> Click to enlarge << Actual signing of the Transfer of Ownership of ... Photo by: Alan R. Headley

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.

>> Click to enlarge << John Kelly of the General Services Administration ... Photo by: Alan R. Headley

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.

This story appeared in the September 2002 edition of Lighthouse Digest Magazine. The print edition contains more stories than our internet edition, and each story generally contains more photographs - often many more - in the print edition. For subscription information about the print edition, click here.

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