About The United States Lighthouse Society
The United States Lighthouse Society is a non-profit historical and educational organization incorporated to educate, inform, and entertain those who are interested in lighthouses, past and present.
The United States Lighthouse Society has been the proud recipient of numerous awards including the Governor's Historic Preservation Award, the U.S. Department of the Transportation Award for Outstanding Public Service and Historic Preservation, the Senate Rules Committee Commendation, the American Lighthouse Coordinating Committee's prestigious Founders Award and most recently we were presented by The White House, the Preserve America Steward Award. Additionally, with the help of our constituents, the United States Lighthouse Society has donated funds to important lighthouse restoration projects nationwide, and has successfully restored and opened to the public the historic Lightship WLV 605 (Relief).
Modern technology has doomed the classic lighthouse. The Coast Guard, in its role as custodian, has automated all light stations in this country and, in the process, has eliminated the need for operating personnel. Sterile, rotating aero-beacons on monopoles have replaced many proud coastal ladies of former years with their sweeping towers of brick and Victorian gingerbread.
In selected cases, the Coast Guard is licensing some formerly manned and discontinued light station to qualified groups. Many of the light stations considered no longer functional have been transferred to various states, counties or nonprofit groups and are now serving as museums, bed-and-breakfast inns or youth hostels.
Although the almost 300-year-old era of manned light stations in this country has come to a close, those remaining symbols of our maritime heritage can, and should be, preserved for the enjoyment of future generations. With this in mind, the United States Lighthouse Society was founded to assist in the restoration and preservation of America's lighthouses and to help qualified local groups in their efforts to return the nation's lighthouses to the public domain.
We are privileged to report to all our members that the U. S. Lighthouse Society and the Chesapeake Chapter have been chosen to receive the Preserve America Steward Award, a fitting event during the Society’s 25th anniversary year. The official letter from the White House designating us as a recipient was signed by Mrs. Bush on January 12, 2009.
Click Here to view the Presidential Commendation