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EAST END LIGHTHOUSES, INC.
Chapter of The American Lighthouse Foundation |
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| Our Goals for 2008 |
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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. |
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HISTORY OF EAST END LIGHTHOUSES, INC. |
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Five events occurred in the year 2000 that
led to the formation of East End Lighthouses:
- The passing of the Lighthouse Preservation Act of 2000;
- The decision of East End Seaport Maritime Museum not to
support or be involved with the preservation and restoration
of Plum Island Lighthouse;
- 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;
- 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;
- 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. |
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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
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