Description

40 Mile Point Lighthouse Museum Application for Keeper’s Program
Thank you for your interest in the Keeper’s Program at the 40 Mile Point Lighthouse. Following is a
description of the expectations and responsibilities associated with your participation in the program.
These guidelines have been established to ensure the smooth operation of the Lighthouse during a very
busy season, as well as, to ensure that everyone has a positive experience. Please read the entire form
carefully to be sure that this program is right for you.

Few, if any, lighthouses have a program that offers an on location RV campsite where Guest Keepers
have the advantage of being able to use their own personal living quarters while, at the same time,
experiencing an opportunity to work and live at a historic lighthouse. Keepers will thoroughly enjoy
their time spent here, make new friends and have lots of fun but there are many responsibilities that go
hand-in-hand with becoming a Guest Keeper.

These responsibilities, such as greeting visitors, operating and managing the gift shop, tower duty and
having a general knowledge of the history of 40 Mile Point Lighthouse are more fully explained in the
Keeper’s Handbook.

The Museum is located within Presque Isle County’s Lighthouse Park. The park is open to the public
year around, seven days a week from daylight to dusk. Many individuals use the park and the Pavilion
for various activities throughout the year. It is common to have school groups, adult organizations,
high school reunion parties, birthday parties and wedding parties reserving a time slot to use the park’s
many facilities. A groundskeeper employed by the county is responsible for the ground maintenance
and scheduling the use of the facilities for these various social events. It is not the responsibility of the
Guests Lighthouse Keeper.

The Lighthouse museum, gift shop, Glawe School and the Calcite Pilot House are operated and
maintained by the 40 Mile Point Lighthouse Society and are open to the public as follows:
Memorial Day Weekend to Mid-October each year
Tuesday – Saturday 10 am to 4 pm
Sunday – Noon to 4 pm
Closed Monday

Mission Statement
The Society is a non-profit 501 (c) (3) organization dedicated to the restoration, preservation, and
interpretation of Forty (40) Mile Point Light Station. The station is defined as the Lighthouse and its
outbuildings, the Calcite Pilot House, the Joseph S. Fay shipwreck, Glawe School and the grounds. Our
goal is to create and maintain a nautical museum and to educate individuals or groups about Forty (40)
Mile Point Lighthouse and the role that lighthouses in general had in local, maritime and nautical
history and other pertinent nautical information.

Tours of Duty
Ideally four keepers are on duty at all times during operating hours. We request a two week minimum
stay. A Society member, or member, will fill in if sufficient help is not available or in case of an
emergency situation. All Keepers receive one day off during a week of duty plus the closed day
Monday. On occasion, Keepers may be asked to work extra hours to cover a special event. Monday is
a change over day for leaving and arriving Keepers.

Orientation Program
All Keepers who are accepted into the program are required to attend an orientation prior to assuming
their duties. On the first Tuesday of your tour, all Keepers must arrive for orientation at 9:00 am.

Living Quarters
All Keepers will supply their own self contained RV. There are four (4) fully equipped RV parking
spaces located just south of the Pavilion. Personal vehicles are parked with your RV. If you do not
have an RV but have living arrangements in the area, you may be eligible to
apply. Please contact us prior to applying.

Rules and Regulations
Access to Lighthouse Park is from US 23. The entrance to the park is gated and is closed from dusk to
8:00 am. The groundskeeper is responsible for the gate. The gate is not locked. The Lighthouse
museum, pilot house, Glawe School and the gift shop are the responsibility of the Keeper. There is a
security system which must be deactivated each morning and reactivated at closing each day. You will
be given a special code and instructed on the proper use of the security system.
Pets are allowed if they are kept on a 6’ leash. It is the Keepers responsibility to clean up after their
pet(s) promptly. Pets are not allowed in the museum, gift shop or pilot house.
Smoking is not allowed inside any of the buildings. Excessive use of alcoholic beverages is not
allowed in the park.

Campfires
Campfires are allowed in the provided fire rings only. No fires will be allowed if the local fire danger
is high (Provided by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources).
Overnight Guests
You may have overnight guests if you can accommodate them in your RV. Please notify a Society
Board Member if your guest(s) will be staying more than one night.

Tents
No tents or additional RV’s will be allowed during your stay.

Application Procedure
The following must be filled out completely, signed and returned with the following information:
1. A brief summary listing any experiences you have had working with the public, either
as an employee, volunteer or manager.
2. Two personal letters of reference.
3. A telephone interview may be required and will be scheduled upon receipt of
application.
4. A $25.00 non-refundable application fee is required for all Guest Keeper’s, new and returning.
Two people per application fee.

Please make check payable to:
40 Mile Point Lighthouse Society.
Check is to be included when sending the application.

By proceeding to checkout it indicates that I have read and understand this entire application, including the
Tours of Duty and the Rules and Regulation sections. I understand there is no compensation for this
position and also fully understand that, if accepted, I am agreeing to work at the Lighthouse on the days
and dates assigned to me for six hours each day. I also understand that I may be required to work extra
hours during special, scheduled activities such as the Memorial Day Weekend Open House, the Rogers
City Nautical Festival and the Great lakes Lighthouse Festival.

I further understand that some aspects of the responsibilities, particularly providing tower tours,
requires good health and the ability to deal with the public and to handle unexpected emergencies. I
understand that my duties will include working in the gift shop and performing routine cleaning of the
museum, gift shop, Glawe School and the pilot house.

I agree to a personal telephone interview (if required) and to attend the required orientation session. I
also agree to work all hours assigned to me if I am selected to be a Guest Keeper.