Lakeshore Keepers is proud to announce a major $450,000 restoration project to preserve the brick exterior of the keeper’s dwelling at the iconic Big Sable Point Lighthouse. The initiative will remove the decades-old layers of exterior paint using a chemical process to avoid further degradation, address the organic growth that has formed between the paint and brick, restore the dwelling’s historic masonry, and finish by repainting the structure with masonry paint. This initiative will prevent the structure from holding moisture and marks the organization’s largest preservation effort to date.
Thanks to a generous matching grant from the Jeffris Family Foundation, Lakeshore Keepers has secured $150,000 toward the project. To unlock the full grant, the nonprofit must raise an additional $300,000 by June 30, 2028, from local donors and community partners.
“This is a pivotal moment for Big Sable Point Lighthouse,” Executive Director of Lakeshore Keepers Jack Greve said. “We’ve worked hard to identify the right partners, and the Jeffris Family Foundation’s commitment to historic preservation makes them an ideal supporter. Now, we’re calling on our community to help us bring this vision to life.”
“Standing 112 feet tall and built in 1867, Big Sable Point Lighthouse is a remarkable symbol of Michigan’s—and America’s—maritime heritage,” said a spokesperson for the Jeffris Family Foundation. “We’re proud to support Lakeshore Keepers in their effort to restore and protect this landmark for future generations. Their dedication to community engagement and historic preservation aligns perfectly with our mission.”
The Jeffris Family Foundation supports historic preservation projects across the Midwest, with a focus on small towns and cities in eight states, including Michigan.
Donations are welcome. To support the project or learn more, please contact Lakeshore Keepers via their website at Lakeshorekeepers.org, or by calling their office at (231) 845-7417, emailing office@lakeshorekeepers.org or mailing directly to P.O. Box 673, Ludington, MI 49431.
