Donate to Mission Point Lighthouse

In 2018, this sturdy arbor was built by a local contractor and resident Randy Williamson for the lighthouse and was designed to resemble the arbor in historic photos from 1910.

There are many things that we could use to help achieve our goals of preservation, restoration, and interpretation. Donations can range from individual items, to volunteer hours, to monetary support. If you enjoy lighthouses, in particular Mission Point Lighthouse, and want to continue the restoration of this Traverse City icon, there are various ways you can give your support: Visit Mission Point Lighthouse! Bring your friends and family, pay for a tour, and buy a souvenir. If you have donations of items, please first contact the Lighthouse Manager at 231-645-0759 or email at [email protected].

VOLUNTEER! (and your heart will grow) 

Donate your time:

• KEEPER PROGRAM - Mission Point Lighthouse needs Keepers - folks who stay in the Lighthouse for week-long stints or more to run the gift shop (or weekends in the off-season).  If you are interested in becoming a Lighthouse Keeper at Mission Point Lighthouse, please click for the keeper application procedures, keeper_handbook_-current.pdffor the keeper handbook, and for a keeper availability calendar. There is a nominal fee of $200 for the week, (per couple).
• LOCAL VOLUNTEERS - Mission Point Lighthouse always needs local volunteers who can come in once a week, once a month or once in awhile to run the gift shop for a couple of hours, or be a greeter, or museum helper, or gardener. Contact the lighthouse manager for a brief tour to discuss needs - no initial commitment needed. These volunteers allow the keepers, who sometimes come from as far away as California to have some time off and explore a little of what our beautiful region has to offer.
• We always need help with minor construction, maintenance, gardening and cleaning projects for volunteers with these talents. If you are a licensed contractor, licensed electrician or licensed plumber, painter and can spare your time we would really appreciate it.

Donate your expertise:

• Construction trades people with interest in historical buildings for minor maintenance jobs on-site for the off-season. There are always painting, plumbing, electrical and building needs on our old building. Email the manager for more information.
• Mission Point Lighthouse needs historical buffs who can give guided tours of the Hessler Log Cabin and lighthouse to school children, during school months and summer months for summer camp kids.
• We are landscaping areas around the lighthouse, so we need gardeners. Those with knowledge of perennials from early 1900s would be very helpful or anyone willing to take ownership of a section of the gardens would be great. Our wish list: hollyhocks, peonies and more.

Donate historic information (no drop-offs allowed, contact the manager first):

• We would love to have more artifacts from the 1900-1920 period that we could use in displays, so if you have any old books, furniture, clothes, toys, games, and nautical items, they could go on display for many to enjoy.
• Photographs, letters, or information about any of the original historic Mission Point Lighthouse keepers and their families would also be much appreciated.​

Here’s a Lighthouse Wish List:

• Custom large donation plexiglass box for donation display (will have large table-top replica inside). Cost: $350+
• Small lego lighthouse replica for display - contact manager with questions or for blueprints of the lighthouse.
• A new slide for the beach. Many children and adults have spent hours on the swings and slide, but the slide had to be removed years ago because it was old and becoming dangerous. A new slide will cost ~ $5000+. 

Donate your money (mailing address is 13235 Center Road, Traverse City, MI 49686):

• You can donate funds to a specific project, such as the new education program, trail signs, landscaping, restoration projects, maintenance, visitor use enhancement, playground equipment, etc.
• You can easily donate money at our online gift shop too.
• Anything you could give would be very much appreciated! The manager has a list of future projects and displays for making the visitors' experience more educational and enjoyable.
• You can donate directly to our non-profit 501C3 - MPLKA.com (Mission Point Lighthouse Keepers Association) Future projects are to build the historic boathouse and the barn.
• Michigan residents can purchase a Save Our Lights license plate which funds lighthouse preservation through the Michigan Lighthouse Assistance Program (MLAP).​​

If you have questions, please feel free to call or email. Thank you for your interest! We look forward to hearing from you!
231-645-0759 cell phone Ginger Schultz, Manager | email: [email protected]   |  231-223-7324 (lighthouse)
Mission Point Lighthouse is located at the north end of M-37, a paved state highway. While it’s a bit of a drive (about 18 miles) from downtown Traverse City, it certainly is a very enjoyable one. In fact, it’s one of the most beautiful drives in Michigan and the U.S., (and in the top 10 Best Coastal Drive in the U.S. - USA Today 2013) you travel through rolling hills of orchards and vineyards, with views of both bays on either side. Old Mission Peninsula has many wonderful wineries, a few stores, seasonal farm markets, a gas station, a post office, and several restaurants for you to enjoy, yet the lighthouse is located in a spot that will allow for plenty ​of peace and quiet.

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This is available now to purchase for Michigan residents. Another way to support Michigan lighthouses.

​Announcing: NEW Supportive Non-Profit Association for Mission Point Lighthouse!

I want to share exciting news from The Mission Point Lighthouse regarding the opportunity to show your support of the lighthouse in a new way.
A new non-profit support group has been formed named
MISSION POINT LIGHTHOUSE KEEPERS’ ASSOCIATION
Mission Point Lighthouse Keepers Association (MPLKA) was formed to create a new method for supporters to be informed of news throughout the year and raise funds for new projects that would increase the knowledge and the connection to history that the lighthouse offers for all.
Please find the attached PDF file that more thoroughly explains the creation of the new non-profit organization and ways you can be a part of this unique opportunity to help support and expand the outreach of the Mission Point Lighthouse. Check the website:  www.mplka.com
 
Best regards and sincere appreciation,
 
Brit Eaton, President
231-499-4438
[email protected]