Merlon Wiggin (right)


EAST END LIGHTHOUSES, INC.
Chapter of The American Lighthouse Foundation
Officers:
Board of Directors:
Our Goals for 2008
East End Lighthouses, Inc. is a local 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization dedicated to the preservation, restoration, and where applicable, acquisition of the off shore lighthouses of Eastern Long Island. East End Lighthouses is an all volunteer organization with no paid staff. East End Lighthouses is committed to the preservation and maintenance of these East End off shore lighthouses as historic structures and the continuing of their operation as Federal Aids to Navigation.
  HISTORY OF EAST END LIGHTHOUSES, INC.  
  Five events occurred in the year 2000 that led to the formation of East End Lighthouses:
  1. The passing of the Lighthouse Preservation Act of 2000;
  2. The decision of East End Seaport Maritime Museum not to support or be involved with the preservation and restoration of Plum Island Lighthouse;
  3. The result of lighthouse research by Merlon Wiggin that resulted in the determination that the Town of Southold has more lighthouses than any other town in the country;
  4. The decision of East End Seaport not to honor the commitment that funds specifically raised for the support of Bug Light be restricted for that use;
  5. Requests by local commercial fishermen, Cross Sound Ferry Service and the Bay Constables of Southold Town of the need to reactivate the Plum Island Lighthouse as a Federal Aid to Navigation to increase the safety of vessels traversing the dangerous waters of Plum Gut.
With the occurring of these five events came the realization that there was no dedicated or interested entity to take an active role in the preservation, restoration and, if required, acquisition of the off shore lighthouses of Southold Town. Of the Town's eight lighthouses, the most of any town in the country, seven of them are on off shore islands, six are on Government owned lands, five are operated by the United States Coast Guard, one is on the endangered list (Plum Island), and one is in need of major structural repairs.

With passing of the Lighthouse Preservation Act of 2000, coupled with increased demand of Coast Guard services, it was to be expected that there would be a gradual incentive to transfer Government owned lighthouse properties and structures to a local non-for-profit entity. There was, therefore, an obvious need to set up a local lighthouse organization that would fill this expected void and to take on the task of preservation of these off shore lighthouses which not only serve as aids to navigation but a historic symbol of our maritime heritage. It was also understood and expected that taking on this regional lighthouse project would be unusually challenging with financial requirements expected to be extensive.

With these considerations in mind, Merlon Wiggin got together a group of local owners of construction companies, marine contractors, and civic minded individuals to form a 501(c)3, not-for-profit company for the specific purpose to preserve, restore, acquire if available, and to maintain the off shore lighthouses of Eastern Long Island as Federal Aids to Navigation and symbols of our unique maritime heritage. The incorporation was able to be fast tracked and East End Lighthouses became a New York State, not-for-profit corporation on January 9, 2001. 		 
  On 5 September, 2002, East End Lighthouses Inc. was voted by the Board of Directors of the American Lighthouse Foundation to become a chapter with all rights and purposes including a joint membership. For details on membership please go to our Membership Page.

PRESIDENT'S REPORTS:  2006 | 2004

SOUTHOLD TOWN RESOLUTIONS:  Resolution 628 | Resolution 629 | Resolution 2007-408