You can be a Lighthouse Keeper this summer
May 27, 08 by TheFleetIf you're new here, you may want to subscribe to our RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!
BY CHRISTINA HALL | Source: Detroit Free Press
Whether novice or veteran, keepers at Grand Traverse Lighthouse have standard tasks they share: raising and lowering the flag, taking admissions, regulating the number of visitors in the lighthouse tower, stocking inventory and running the cash register in the gift shop for sales to guests, such as Gayle and Ray Lyle of Eastpointe.
Opening and closing the museum, greeting and helping visitors, turning on and off lights, cleaning, vacuuming, mowing and building or fixing displays also are part of the job.
The historic white- and green-trimmed lighthouse built in 1858 is one of 10 in Michigan that offer a keeper program.
Map of lighthouse keeper programs | How to Become a Keeper
“It’s always something different. There’s always a challenge. You’re trusted to do what you have to do,” said Pat Trombly, 63, a retired homemaker from Norton Shores.
Employees are there most days with the keepers, who have a checklist of tasks they must sign off on. At night, keepers protect the lighthouse on their own.
“When everybody’s gone, you hear the waves batting, the birds,” Len Thomas said. “You begin to imagine how lonely it could have been.”
Most of the keepers have come from Michigan and a half-dozen other Midwest states and range from college students to retirees, said Georgienne Hammer, program coordinator. Some are single; others couples. Some are groups of relatives or friends. Those who did not know each other before coming to the lighthouse bond while there and often reunite for another week the next year.
Many more interviews and stories at the Detroit Free Press >>
