North Manitou Light Keepers receives important grant to restore Manitou Passage “Crib”

From staff reports

The North Manitou Light Keepers announced today that they have been awarded a Michigan Lighthouse Assistance Program grant from the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) to help restore the North Manitou Shoal Light Station between the Manitou Islands and mainland Leelanau County—otherwise known as the “Crib”.

“We are very excited for this grant, which allows us to replace old decking and stop water intrusion and structural damage to the Crib,” reports the Light Keepers. “We are able to meet the grant match requirement due to a previous grant from the Edmund F. and Virginia B. Ball Foundation. Our effort to restore the Crib and make it available to the public is turning into a great team effort, from our donors and members, to the Edmund F. and Virginia B. Ball Foundation’s grant, and now this grant from all Michigan lighthouse enthusiasts who choose the ‘Save Our Lights’ license plate. We are thankful to have such supportive people championing ‘The Crib’.”

“This grant helps us complete an integral part of preserving the lighthouse allowing us to look forward to restoring the living quarters and other interior spaces. This is a really important step as we are gearing up to begin tours to the Crib and look to provide overnight stays and more comfortable tours in the future. We are honored and grateful to receive this grant and look forward to collaborating with the SHPO staff on this project.”

Click here to read our 2017 story about the team’s effort to restore the North Manitou Shoal lighthouse.