Northeastern States District’s stewardship partner receives Michigan Governor’s Award

Each year during National Historic Preservation Month in May, the Governor’s Awards for Historic Preservation in Michigan honor outstanding historic preservation achievements reflecting a commitment to the preservation of Michigan’s neighborhoods, downtowns, and countryside, as well as the state’s unique character and the preservation of cultural resources that document Michigan’s past. This year, during a virtual ceremony hosted by the State Historic Preservation Office and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, the Thunder Bay Island Light Station was one of five historic preservation projects in Michigan to be honored with the Governor’s Award for Historic Preservation. The Charter Township of Alpena cooperatively manages the Light Station with the Thunder Bay Lighthouse Preservation Society. The BLM maintains a long-term stewardship partnership with the Charter Township of Alpena.

Thunder Bay Lighthouse

The BLM’s ongoing partnership with the Charter Township of Alpena and the Thunder Bay Lighthouse Preservation Society is a vital component of cooperative land management and efforts to develop attractive, vibrant and resilient communities where citizens want to live, people want to visit, and businesses thrive.

In 2014, the Thunder Bay Island Light Station and southern 43 acres of the island were conveyed by the BLM to the Charter Township of Alpena pursuant of the Recreation and Public Purposes Act. Thunder Bay Island had been reserved for lighthouse purposes in 1842. When it was no longer needed, the United States Coast Guard relinquished approximately 168 acres. Working with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Alpena Township, the BLM conveyed Thunder Bay in a special ceremony attended by all partners and members of the local community.