American Lighthouse Foundation

American Lighthouse Foundation

American Lighthouse Foundation

American Lighthouse Foundation

American Lighthouse Foundation

American Lighthouse Foundation

American Lighthouse Foundation

American Lighthouse Foundation

American Lighthouse Foundation

American Lighthouse Foundation

 Dedicated to Saving America's Lighthouses and Their History

 

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American Lighthouse Foundation

 American Lighthouse Foundation, Inc.

P.O. Box 889

Wells, Maine 04090

207-646-0245

info@lighthousefoundation.org

 

The American Lighthouse Foundation is a  Non-Profit 501(c)(3) Organization dedicated to the

preservation of America's historic lighthouses & lightships and

their heritage.

 

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Lighthouses & Their Preservation

Are Important to the Southern Maine Coast Tourism Association

 

By Bob Trapani, Jr.

 

 
  Lighthouses mean many things to many people. Whether you are a mariner working the waters for a living or just visiting the coast of Maine on a  
 
family vacation, lighthouses are invariably sought out and very much appreciated. From the ability to safeguard lives and property to their stately presence along the coast that conveys an altruistic and romantic aura, lighthouses are a vital connection to our way of life. No one appreciates this notion more than organizations like the Southern Maine

Tim Harrison

Photo by Bob Trapani, Jr.    

Tim Harrison speaks to the attendees

of Southern Maine Coast Tourism

Association's June workshop

 
 

Coast Tourism Association who promote the state’s lighthouses as part of what makes Maine so unique as a destination for visitors.

 

On June 8, 2005, the Southern Maine Coast Tourism Association hosted a workshop entitled, “Personalizing the Maine Experience” at Fosters Downeast Clambake in York Harbor. Business leaders from Kittery to Old Orchard Beach gathered together to discuss strategies for enhancing the State of Maine’s unique appeal, including the concept of building more partnerships that can increase national exposure for the value of our beaches, historic sites, museums, shopping, art galleries – and of course, lighthouses!

 

Tim Harrison, president of the American Lighthouse Foundation, was asked to serve as one of three panel presenters and talk about why lighthouses are so important to the community and visitors and why it’s important we work to preserve these stately sentinels. “Nothing was being

 
 

American Lighthouse Foundation Display

Photo by Bob Trapani, Jr.      

The American Lighthouse Foundation's

display highlighting the many facets of

the organization's lighthouse

 preservation efforts

done to save Maine’s lighthouses twelve years ago, which is why we founded the American Lighthouse Foundation,” said Harrison. He went on to say, “many of Maine’s lighthouses are in danger of being lost forever but we cannot save our lighthouses without the community’s financial support. By working together we can preserve what is most important to us of us. I like to refer to

 
 

the “three L’s of Maine – lighthouses, lobsters and lodging – let’s promote and save them.”

 

The diligent work of the American Lighthouse Foundation to save lighthouses and their rich history has not gone unnoticed in many of Maine’s coastal communities. Dick Leeman, president of the Kennebunkport Chamber of Commerce, talked about the dedication and important work of the American Lighthouse Foundation, saying, “One of the primary icons in the State of Maine is our lighthouses.” Leeman went on to comment, “If it wasn’t for the efforts of the American Lighthouse Foundation we wouldn’t have as many visitors to our state.”

 

The participants in the Southern Maine Coast Tourism Association workshop demonstrated an obvious enthusiasm and appreciation for the state’s historic lighthouses and conveyed a desire to work together to integrate these timeless treasures more and more within the activities of coastal Maine. “I am hearing a common theme today and that is the need to find different ways to personalize Maine and make that connection with the visitor,” said Leeman. “We sell that return visit.” By the end of the workshop, it was apparent that lighthouses were coastal icons that could shine a bright light on achieving such goals, which makes it imperative that our coastal communities – businesses and residents alike, along with Maine’s legislators, work together with the American Lighthouse Foundation today to ensure that these timeless treasures will continue to “send out the light” for future generations of Mainers and visitors. In doing so, we protect and preserve what means most to Maine’s heritage and way of life and ensure that tourism remains a viable factor for the state’s economic growth and prosperity.

 

To learn more about the Southern Maine Coast Tourism Association, visit www.southernmainecoast.org or call (800) 639-2442

 

 
       
       
 

 

 

 

 

 
 

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©2006 American Lighthouse Foundation, Inc.

P.O. Box 889 - Wells, ME 04090

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