Lighthouses: Free to Good Keepers

The National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act of 2000 allows surplus historic lighthouses and stations to be put to creative new uses.

General Services Administration (GSA) may transfer these properties at no cost to federal agencies, tribes, state and local governments, nonprofit corporations, educational agencies or community development organizations.

Uses for the transferred lighthouses include:

• Cultural uses
• Historic uses
• Parks
• Recreation
• Education

Little River Light, located in Washington County, Maine, is one of twenty lighthouse transfers announced in 2002. Approximately 300 light stations will be made available nationally over the next decade through the NHLPA application process to eligible entities.

Recipients Responsibilities to the Lighthouse
In applying for the property, grantees agree to rehabilitate the lighthouse in accordance with the Secretary of the Interior’s “Standards for Rehabilitation,” to maintain the property in perpetuity, to allow Coast Guard access to the navigation aid, and to provide regular public access to the property. A group's financial ability to maintain the historic light station and adhere to the terms and conditions of the transfer are considered in the review process. In the event no new acceptable steward is found, the act authorizes the sale of the property.

National Park Service’s Involvement
NPS reviews all applications, assists the GSA with the property transfer, and plays an important role in ensuring the building is properly rehabilitated and maintained in perpetuity. The first transfers under this Act occurred in June 2002.