ASSISTANT KEEPER'S PROGRAM

INFORMATION

Thank you for your interest in the Keeper’s program at the 40 Mile Point Lighthouse Museum.  Following is a description of the expectations and responsibilities associated with your participation in the program.  These guidelines have been established to ensure the smooth operation of the Lighthouse during a very busy season, as well as to ensure that everyone has a positive experience.  Please read the entire form carefully to be sure that this program is right for you.

             Few, if any, lighthouses have a program that offers an on-location RV campsite where prospective Guest Lighthouse Keepers have the advantage of  being able to use their own personal living quarters while, at the same time, experience an opportunity to work and live at an historic lighthouse.  Keepers will thoroughly enjoy their time spent here; make new friends and have lots of fun.  But, there are many responsibilities that go hand-in-hand with becoming a Guest Keeper.

             These responsibilities such as greeting visitors, operating and managing the gift shop, tower duty, and a having a general knowledge of 40 Mile Point Lighthouse history, etc., are more fully explained in the Keeper’s Handbook.

            The museum is located within Presque Isle County’s Lighthouse Park.  The park is open to the public year-round, seven days a week from daylight until 10:00 p.m. Many individuals use the park and the Pavilion (the former Fog Signal Building) for various activities throughout the year.  It is common to have school groups, adult organizations, high school reunion parties, birthday parties and wedding parties reserving a time slot to use the park’s many facilities.   A groundskeeper employed by the county is responsible for grounds maintenance and scheduling use of the facilities for these various social events.  It is not the responsibility of the Guest Lighthouse Keeper.

            The lighthouse museum, gift shop and Calcite Pilot House are operated and maintained by the 40 Mile Point Lighthouse Society and are open to the public as follows:

                          Memorial Day Weekend to mid-October from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm

Tuesday through Sunday

 Purpose Statement

The 40 Mile Point Lighthouse Society is dedicated to the restoration and preservation of 40 Mile Point Lighthouse, complementary buildings and the Calcite Pilot House.  Our goal is to create and maintain a nautical museum to enhance the understanding of the area’s nautical history.

Primary Lighthouse Keeper Responsibilities

As a lighthouse keeper, you are required to greet visitors and provide them with historical information about the museum.  You will work in the gift shop, light house museum and pilot house and keep the buildings neat and clean.  You are asked to learn some basic historic information about the lighthouse and the pilot house (The information will be provided to you).  Lighthouse keepers must be energetic, comfortable speaking with the public, in good health, able to climb stairs and work the required hours. 

Additional Responsibilities

Other responsibilities include (but are not limited to) sweeping floors, sidewalks and tower stairs, removing trash, vacuuming and dusting.  Keepers are asked to keep the gift shop neat, orderly, well stocked and to price merchandise when it arrives.  All participants will be trained to operate the cash register and the credit card machine located in the gift shop.

Tours of Duty

Keepers may work for the periods as designated.  Keepers will be asked to work extra hours during special events.

Orientation Program

All new Keepers who are accepted into the program are required to attend an orientation prior to assuming their duties.  Returning Keepers are not required to attend an orientation, however, a brief refresher will be provided to you the day you arrive.   On your scheduled starting date, please plan to arrive at Lighthouse Park no later than 9:00 a.m.  Departing Keepers are asked to remain on duty long enough to train the in-coming Keepers.  You may remain at the park as late in the day as you wish, or leave the following day.

Living Quarters

All Keepers will supply their own self-contained RVs.  There are four (4) fully equipped RV parking spaces located just south of the open pavilion. Two spaces will be occupied by the current Keepers.  The remaining two spaces will be used for the incoming Keepers.  Personal vehicles only will be parked at the RV site.

Rules and Regulations

Access to Lighthouse Park is from U. S. 23.  The entrance to the park is gated.  The grounds keeper is responsible for the gate.  The lighthouse museum, pilot house and gift shop are the responsibility of the Keeper and there is a security system which must be de-activated each morning and re-activated at closing each day.  You will be given a special code and instructed on the proper use of the security system.

 Small pets are allowed if they are kept on a 6’ leash.  It is the Keeper’s responsibility to clean up after their pet(s) promptly.  Pets are not allowed inside the museum, gift shop or pilot house.

 Smoking, beverages or food is not allowed in the museum, gift shop or pilot house.  Excessive use of alcoholic beverages is not allowed in the park. 

 Campfires:            Campfires are allowed in the provided fire rings only.  No fires will be allowed if the local fire danger is high (Provided by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources).

 Overnight Guests:            You may have overnight guests if you can accommodate them in your RV.  Please notify a Society Board member if your guest(s) will be staying more than one night.

 Tents: No tents or additional RV’s will be allowed during your stay.

Application Procedure

Print out and submit both the application and the calendar pages to the address on the application.

The entire application must be filled out completely, signed and returned and accompanied by the following items:

1.        A brief summary listing any experiences you have had working with the public, either as an employee, volunteer or
           manager.  

2.                 Two personal letters of reference.

3.                 A $25.00 non-refundable application fee per application.  Make checks payable to:
              Forty Mile Point Lighthouse Society.

Program Fees 

When your application is approved, a security deposit of $150.00 will be required.  If you have to cancel and give at least 45 days notice, the deposit will be refunded to you.  If cancellation is received in less than 45 days, the deposit will not be refunded.  The $150.00 security deposit will be returned to you within 30 days upon successful completion of your tour as a Guest Keeper.

Questions?

Revised /30/2008