In this issue of Lighthouse Digest, as in nearly every issue, we report on lighthouse restoration projects taking place somewhere. However, just because you see this activity taking place, it does not mean that the lighthouse preservation movement is in good shape. It is not. There is a major shortage of funds to save lighthouses; in fact some will most likely be lost.

In this issue of Lighthouse Digest you will see old photographs. If you think this means all the old photographs of lighthouses and keepers have been found, you are wrong.

Many times we report about artifacts being donated or acquired by various museums such as the Museum of Lighthouse History in Wells, Maine and you may think the museums have all the artifacts they need to display. If so, you are wrong.

As we have done for years, we try to help raise money and awareness for lighthouse preservation. However, in spite of what some people say, the artifacts, old photographs and documents of the United States Lighthouse Service and the lighthouse era of the Coast Guard are as equally important to be saved as the actual lighthouses themselves.

Unfortunately, many people, rather than donating artifacts, documents, and old photographs are instead selling them on places like E-Bay, making the asking price well beyond the pocketbooks of museums.

The facts are clear, in spite of all the progress that has been made in recent years, much of our lighthouse history and heritage may never be told, instead, they will be lost to time or to private collectors.

As we approach year-end, we would encourage our readers to make generous donations to your favorite lighthouse preservation group or my favorite, the American Lighthouse Foundation.

This story appeared in the December 2004 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.

All contents copyright © 1995-2024 by Lighthouse Digest®, Inc. No story, photograph, or any other item on this website may be reprinted or reproduced without the express permission of Lighthouse Digest. For contact information, click here.