Nov. 8, 2004

Mackinaw City, Mich. - Mackinac State Historic Parks (MSHP) has won an Institutional Achievement award from the Michigan Museums Association (MMA) for the renovation and reopening of Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse. The award is part of MMA's annual Quest for Excellence program, which recognizes exceptional programs, graphic projects and professional activities of Michigan museums.

Since beginning active restoration of Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse, MSHP has completed an historic structures report, repaired the roof and windows of both the light tower and the nearby fog signal house, acquired the original Fresnel lens on loan from the U.S. Coast Guard, and in June of this year opened the Mackinaw City landmark to public tours.

Visitors saw first-hand the amount of work involved in the project, as they compared rough plaster and water-damaged walls with modern, interactive exhibits. Over 30,000 people visited the restoration-in-progress between June and October. For many, the highlight of their visit was a climb to the top of the lighthouse tower.

MSHP has raised $415,000 of an estimated $2.5 million necessary to restore and renovate the Mackinaw City landmark through donations, grants and revenue from the nearby lighthouse museum store. This fall MSHP will return a barn to its original location near the light tower utilizing a $30,000 grant from the Americana Foundation, and reconstruct a white picket fence that circled the grounds in the early 20^th century utilizing an $18,000 grant from the Department of Environmental Quality Coastal Zone Management program. MSHP will complete restoration and renovation of Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse in 2009. The lighthouse will open for public tours again on May 16, 2005.

The non-profit Michigan Museums Association is a community of individuals and institutions organized to further the work of the State's museums. MMA works with its members to help make Michigan's museums the best in the nation. MMA disseminates timely information about issues that affect museums and museum professionals through its newsletter and Web site (www.michiganmuseums.org). The association sponsors training workshops for museum professionals and volunteers, a mentoring program, a resource center and an annual meeting.

Mackinac State Historic Parks is a family of living history museums and parks in Northern Michigan's Straits of Mackinac region, and is an agency within the Michigan Department of History, Arts and Libraries. Sites include Fort Mackinac, Historic Downtown and Mackinac Island State Park on Mackinac Island, and Colonial Michilimackinac, Historic Mill Creek and Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse in Mackinaw City. The sites are accredited by the American Association of Museums. Visitor information is available on the Web at www.mackinacparks.com and by phone at (231) 436-4100.

Read more press releases from the Department of History, Arts and Libraries.