The Mission
The mission of North Manitou Light Keepers is to restore the North Manitou Shoal Light Station, make it and its history available to the public for education and appreciation, and cultivate an active community of stewardship for this piece of Michigan maritime history that stands amidst one of America’s most beautiful locations.
The Vision
North Manitou Shoal Light is an active lighthouse where people enjoy unique and amazing experiences, and honor its history and legacy, while immersed in awe-inspiring beauty.
The Story
The North Manitou Shoal Light Station is an offshore lighthouse in Northern Lake Michigan completed in 1935. It marks a shallow shoal in the Manitou Passage an important maritime channel. First operated by the United States Lighthouse Service and later the United States Coast Guard who manned it until 1980. The light station was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2005. The structure stood vacant and uncared for until 2016 when it was purchased at auction by North Manitou Light Keepers, a nonprofit organization, after being deemed surplus by the Federal Government. It remains an active aid to navigation with automated solar powered equipment maintained by the U.S. Coast Guard.
North Manitou Light Keepers is a 501(c)(3) Non-profit Organization.
the north manitou shoal light
The North Manitou Shoal Light is an offshore lighthouse in Leelanau County, Michigan. It sits one mile offshore of North Manitou Island in Lake Michigan, and eight miles offshore of Leland, Michigan. The lighthouse is beloved by many whom have expressed a great desire to see if rehabilitated. At the same time, many recognize that its restoration will be a challenging task that requires a commitment of much effort, time, and resources.
The North Manitou Light Keepers
We see the North Manitou Shoal Light as an active lighthouse where people enjoy unique and amazing experiences, and honor its history and legacy, while immersed in awe-inspiring beauty. When we started in 2016, our story focused on how some of us founded the organization and our future plans. We are gratified to see the story now has shifted to YOU, the COMMUNITY we share in this adventure, and what we can EXPERIENCE together.
WE'D LOVE FOR YOU TO JOIN US ON THIS ADVENTURE!
Annual Memberships are available ranging from $25 to $1,000. Many Campaign for the Crib! Sponsorship Opportunities are available as well! Make your mark on The Crib…sponsors will be be recognized with signage/nameplates within the lighthouse.
