Michigan Lighthouse Alliance

On Monday, November 10, 2003, the Michigan Lighthouse Alliance (MLA) held its First Annual meeting at the Michigan Library and Historical Center which is located in Lansing, Michigan. Attending this four hour meeting were representatives from local lighthouse preservation societies. Capt. Ron and Judy Burkhard represented the Pointe aux Barques Lighthouse Society, Buzz Hoerr and Wayne “Skip” Kadar represented the Harbor Beach Lighthouse and Breakwater Preservation Society, and Lou Schillinger and Marv Kuziel represented the Port Austin Reef Lighthouse Society. Mr. Hoerr was elected to the MLA’s board of directors as a representative for the thumb area lighthouses. Several of the other representatives signed up to work on various committees.

The MLA’s purposes are to work with the Michigan Lighthouse Project in the transfer of historic lighthouses in the State of Michigan; assist current and potential lighthouse stewards in the endeavor to preserve, maintain, and publicly exhibit historic lighthouses in the State of Michigan; establish educational and outreach projects and programs that foster public awareness of the National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act and the cause of preserving historic lighthouses, emphasize the important role of lighthouses to the economic vitality of local communities and the State of Michigan, and advocate and promote the preservation of historic lighthouses; and support nonprofit lighthouse organizations through technical, financial, and managerial assistance.