Lighthouse Museums and the Public: Perspectives on Access, Educational Programming and Site Preservation

As a member of the American Lighthouse Coordinating Committee (ALCC) I was asked to research the issue of public access and programming at historic light stations. I'm no stranger to this topic having been director of Chicago's suburban Lighthouse Park District and the district-operated Grosse Point Lighthouse National Landmark for the last 19 years. Also, I have previously performed research on this topic in 1997. Since that time interest and visitation at lighthouses has increased unabated and the issues surrounding public access to historic lighthouses has become somewhat problematic as more tourism causes additional wear and tear on facilities, and stress on the management. This burgeoning popularity in lighthouses has made them a valuable marketing tool used to lure more people, and their money, to communities. While managers of historic lighthouse sites are here to serve the public, the increased tourism in recent years has created a situation that potentially threatens to jeopardize visitor security and safety and preservation and interpretation at these historic sites.