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One of Michigan’s most viewed lighthouses, Round Island, seen by every person visiting Mackinac Island, finally has its own preservation society. Incorporated as a Michigan nonprofit corporation in January, the members of Round Island Lighthouse Preservation Society will work with Hiawatha National Forest personnel to maintain the lighthouse and provide access for public visitation.
According to Ann Doyle, newly elected Chair of the Board of Directors, "For a number of years, the Freeland Boy Scout Troop #323, with permission of the Forest Service, has spent summer week ends, doing maintenance and major repairs to the Lighthouse and grounds. The Preservation Society will greatly expand the work of the Boy Scouts drawing together a larger group of people interested in preserving the Lighthouse."
The Society’s initial five person Board of Directors is actively seeking members and formalizing initial preservation plans in cooperation with personnel from the Hiawatha National Forest. The Boy Scouts will remain active and continue working with the Society and the Forest Service in the preservation effort. Membership inquiries can be directed to the Society at P.O. Box 450, Freeland, MI. 48623
The first goal of the Society is to prepare and obtain approval of a preservation management plan by the Forest Service detailing specific tasks the Society will complete not only to preserve the Lighthouse but to provide public access.
Round Island is truly Michigan’s lighthouse icon, an image consistently used to promote in-state and out-state tourism. "We recognize the importance of Round Island Lighthouse, not only to the history of Michigan but to the economic well-being of Michigan’s travel industry. We’re proud to lend a hand in preserving its’ history and economic contribution," notes Doyle.
A rare opportunity to visit the lighthouse is its annual one-day open house, which is scheduled for Saturday July 11, 2009 (10:00 am to 4:00 pm EST). Visitation information is available at http://roundislandlight.clubspaces.com.
This story appeared in the
June 2009 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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