Beaver Island Historical Society

APRIL 28, 2022 UPDATE: The Beaver Island Historical Society will host Eastern Michigan University’s Historic Preservation Program May 21-29, 2022 on Beaver Island and again in 2023 & 2024.  We are excited to welcome the field school staff and students to Beaver Island. Thank you for your ongoing help supporting our efforts to host staff & students or purchase supplies for for restoration work.  We are anticipating a group of 20 people to begin the lighthouse preservation activities.   


Recapping  Property and Field School goals: 

“Moving forward, our mission for the property will be two-fold,” added McCauley . “One, to restore and protect the third oldest lighthouse in the Great Lakes and, two, to create an infrastructure and programming that increases the use and visibility of this public asset.”

Eastern Michigan University’s Historic Preservation Program (EMU HPP) conducts an annual one-week, hands-on field school with about twenty students, two faculty members, and a field school managers assist in the preservation and/or restoration of an historic structure or its contents. The Field School introduces a variety of preservation and restoration techniques such as masonry, plastering, painting, cataloguing of artifacts, documenting the historic structure, and much more. For more information about the program visit: https://www.emich.edu/geography-geology/programs/historic-preservation/glance.php

Donations received are restricted to Lighthouse Activities and used to help sponsor all student travel, lodging and meals during field school.   Donations can be made via this gofundme page or mailed directly to the Beaver Island Historical Society, PO Box 263, Beaver Island, MI 49782.  Please note on your check "Beaver Head Lighthouse."  To reach the society via email: [email redacted]

Be sure to follow the Beaver Island Historical Society on social media for progress updates: Beaver Island Historical Society 


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NOVEMBER 2021:  We are finally ready to move forward on restoration and preservation of the Beaver Head Lighthouse! Please join us as we begin this exciting project! You can make a difference by donating today to Beaver Island Historical Society. Donations can be made via this gofundme page or mailed directly to the Beaver Island Historical Society, PO Box 263, Beaver Island, MI 49782.  Please note on your check "Beaver Head Lighthouse."  To reach the society via email: [email redacted]

 

The Beaver Island Historical Society, in collaboration with Charlevoix County and Networks Northwest, is fundraising to bring a group of historical preservation experts to the island in the summer of 2022. Eastern Michigan University's Historic Preservation Graduate Field School will assess the preservation needs of our Beaver Head Lighthouse--the third oldest on the Great Lakes.

 

Our vision is for the lighthouse to be restored and sustainable. We have many ideas for public access including a museum in the Keeper's House attached to the lighthouse.

 

All funds collected will be used to help graduate students with lodging, travel, and preservation supplies needed to complete their work.

 

Eastern Michigan University’s Historic Preservation Program (EMU HPP) conducts an annual one-week, hands-on field school with about twenty students, two faculty members, and a field school managers assist in the preservation and/or restoration of an historic structure or its contents. The Field School introduces a variety of preservation and restoration techniques such as masonry, plastering, painting, cataloguing of artifacts, documenting the historic structure, and much more. For more information about the program visit: https://www.emich.edu/geography-geology/programs/historic-preservation/glance.php

 

To learn more about the Beaver Island Historical Society's mission to Preserve and Share the Unique History of the Archipelago please visit https://www.beaverislandhistory.org/