Membership
Friends of Tawas Point Lighthouse and State Park is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting the wise use and conservation of this gem that is Tawas Point State Park.
Adhering to its mission statement, the Friends organization works to support and improve the park through funding of projects, recreational equipment, and interpretive programs and by volunteering to assist park staff with projects and events.
Click here to download an application form.
There are several levels of membership from which to select.
Keeper - $20/year which includes unlimited $2 admission to the lighthouse for one person.
Keeper's Family - $40/year which includes unlimited $2 admission to the lighthouse for two adults and their children.
Keeper's Family Plus - $75/year which includes unlimited $2 admission to the lighthouse for two adults and their children plus two guests.
Guardian of the Light - $300 includes all of the above for the lifetime of the member and member’s family.
All memberships include a 10% discount at the state-managed gift shop in appreciation for the support of Tawas State Park given by Friends members. In addition members receive minutes of the Friends meetings and newsletters.
The Friends organization began as an informal volunteer group formed to assist Tawas State Park staff with improving the park. It was formally incorporated in 1992 with written by-laws and a mission statement. In 2019, a total of 28 members completed 2478 number of hours working on various projects in the park and at the lighthouse. In addition, they welcomed 2913 visitors at Friends-sponsored events. Since 2013, the following projects and equipment have been funded or purchased by Friends nonprofit efforts:
175 trees for park campground
An 18’ x 26’ storage building; initially meant for storage of event decorations but turned over to the park due to inadequate number of storage buildings for park use
24 folding chairs and 10 folding tables
A washer and dryer for the lighthouse
A bear hide for the park Explorer program
8’ x 12’ US flags (replaced as needed)
Rope replacement for the gift shop, walkway, and flagpole
Landscaping around the flag pole and lighthouse flower beds in partnership with Sunrise Side Master Gardeners
Gift shop window repairs
Rebuilding of the lighthouse entryway
Furnishings and bedding for the Keeper’s quarters
Christmas decorations for the annual Christmas at the Light event
Halloween decorations, pumpkins, and apples for the annual Haunted Lighthouse/Harvest Festival event
A 10’ x 12’ storage shed
Replacements for the lighthouse lantern room windows
A lighthouse winch system
The lighthouse 140th birthday public celebration in 2016
A State of Michigan Historical marker with a formal dedication and celebration event in 2018
Restoration of the historic oil house in 2019, continuing in 2020; including a new custom-made, historically correct door
A toaster oven for the Keeper’s quarters
Brick paver pathway upkeep and upgrades
Exterior restoration of the historic building housing the gift shop including new custom-made signage
Restoration of the lighthouse summer kitchen ceiling
A new screen door at the Keeper's entrance to the lighthouse
Our members at work!
Here is a cumulative total of the number of hours spent in projects and events supporting Tawas Point Lighthouse and State Park for the past few years. Our dedicated team has a wide range of interests and we can always use more members to help us fulfill a myriad of goals. Activities include greeting visitors at the lighthouse, help with restoration projects such as the oil house and gift shop repair, selling merchandise, building the Fourth of July float, staffing the golf outing, decorating the lighthouse for the Halloween and Christmas events, and more!
2018: 32 volunteers donated 1290 hours
2019: 34 volunteers donated 2140 hours
2020: 27 volunteers donated 1144 hours
2021: 40 volunteers donated 1623 hours
2022: 35 volunteers donated 1798 hours
2023: 36 volunteers donated 1356 hours