The New England Lighthouse Foundation has officially changed its name to The American Lighthouse Foundation.

"The name change was necessary to facilitate our wider and growing lighthouse programs with other national organizations who are assisting us with lighthouse preservation on a national scope," said Timothy Harrison, chairman of the non-profit foundation.

The New England Lighthouse Foundation will continue to function as a chapter of the American Lighthouse Foundation, along with the separate Cape Cod Chapter.

The New England Lighthouse Foundation was formed in 1994 to assist in the preservation of New England's Lighthouse history and heritage. "None of that will change," said Harrison, who went on to say, "We have simply branched out, as our organization continues to grow."

Among its many accomplishments, the Foundation recently completed the restoration of the Keepers House at Race Point Lighthouse on Cape Cod, MA, and this year expects to complete total restoration of the station with the restoration of the fogsignal building and oil house.

The Foundation will also play an active role in the fund- raising for the restoration of Maine's Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse.