Tawas Point Lighthouse Keepers 2026 Logo
  • A logo with the words "Michigan History Center" stacked on the left of an outline of Michigan's two peninsulas on the right.

    Tawas Point Lighthouse Keeper Teams

    2026 Application

  • Program Overview

  • A four-person Tawas Point Lighthouse Keeper Team commits to a two-week stay at the lighthouse that includes daily service interpreting the lighthouse and helping visitors experience the lighthouse tower. 

    The Lighthouse Keeper Program is open to adults (18+) only. The Michigan History Center will not create teams from smaller group applications. If you cannot form a team of four, please do not apply to this program.

    The cost of the two-week stay is $250.00/per person, for a total of $1,000.00 per team.

    The lighthouse has two bedrooms with two twin beds in each, a shared bathroom and a small kitchen. The Keeper's Quarters is located on the second floor of the lighthouse. Questions about living conditions can be directed to historian Don La Barre at DNR-tawaskeepers@michigan.gov.

    Applicants can signify their 1st and 2nd preference for which two-week block they would prefer:

     May 5 - May 19 Team 1 (Spring Birding Festival)
     May 19 - June 2 Team 2 (Memorial Day)
     June 2 - June 16 Team 3
     June 16 - June 30 Team 4
     June 30 - July 14 Team 5 (July 4th)
     July 14 - July 28 Team 6
     July 28 - Aug 11 Team 7 (National Lighthouse Day & TPL 150th Anniversary Kickoff)
     Aug 11 - Aug 25 Team 8
     Aug 25 - Sept 9 Team 9 (Labor Day)
     Sept 9 - Sept 22 Team 10
     Sept 22 - Oct 6 Team 11
     Oct 6 - Oct 20 Team 12 (Harvest Festival)

  • Team Requirements

  • For your team to be considered for the Lighthouse Keeper program, each team member must meet the following requirements:

    • Be at least 18 Years of Age.
    • Be able to climb 85 steps to the top of the Lighthouse at least twice a day for 2 weeks.
    • Pass a State of Michigan background check, if selected for program.
    • Sign a Volunteer Release and and Waiver Liability form, if selected for program.
    • Be willing to provide daily public tours, totaling four one-hour shifts per day, for 12 days.
    • Be comfortable and enjoy working with the public.
    • Be available for online training before coming to the lighthouse.
    • Submit a $10.00, non-refundable application fee for your team of four.
    • If selected, pay $250 per team member ($1,000 total) a minimum of two weeks before the team’s arrival at Tawas Point Lighthouse. Credit/Debit card is preferred.
    • Finally, you should love lighthouses and history! It's not a requirement, but it is defintely encouraged.

    If your team of four cannot meet these requirements, please do not apply to this program. The program does not match people up with groups. You must be the one to form your own team.

    In addition to these requirements, the Tawas Point Lighthouse is a non-smoking facility and NO pets are allowed.

  • Application Instructions

  • If your team meets the listed requirements for being a Lighthouse Keeper for the 2026 Season at Tawas Point Lighthouse, please designate a team captain who will be the main point of contact for your application. Then, apply as one team. When filling out questions do your best to express your team's interest and not just the team captain's interest.

    Only electronically submitted applications will be accepted.

    All applications must be submitted before 11:45 p.m. EST on Saturday, February 28. 

    *Accepted applicants will be contacted before March 31. If you do not receive a phone call or email then your team was not selected for the 2026 season.

    • Other volunteer lighthouse keeper programs

  • Application Review and Approval

  • If you or a member of your team has any questions, please feel free to contact program coordinator Don LaBarre at DNR-tawaskeepers@michigan.gov.

  • A four-person Tawas Point Lighthouse Keeper Team commits to a two-week stay at the lighthouse that includes daily service interpreting the lighthouse and helping visitors experience the lighthouse tower. 

    The Lighthouse Keeper Program is open to adults (18+) only. The Michigan History Center will not create teams from smaller group applications. If you cannot form a team of four, please do not apply to this program.

    The cost of the two-week stay is $250.00/per person, for a total of $1,000.00 per team.

    The lighthouse has two bedrooms with two twin beds in each, a shared bathroom and a small kitchen. The Keeper's Quarters is located on the second floor of the lighthouse. Questions about living conditions can be directed to historian Don La Barre at DNR-tawaskeepers@michigan.gov.

    Applicants can signify their 1st and 2nd preference for which two-week block they would prefer:

     May 5 - May 19 Team 1 (Spring Birding Festival)
     May 19 - June 2 Team 2 (Memorial Day)
     June 2 - June 16 Team 3
     June 16 - June 30 Team 4
     June 30 - July 14 Team 5 (July 4th)
     July 14 - July 28 Team 6
     July 28 - Aug 11 Team 7 (National Lighthouse Day & TPL 150th Anniversary Kickoff)
     Aug 11 - Aug 25 Team 8
     Aug 25 - Sept 9 Team 9 (Labor Day)
     Sept 9 - Sept 22 Team 10
     Sept 22 - Oct 6 Team 11
     Oct 6 - Oct 20 Team 12 (Harvest Festival)

  • Living Quarters at Tawas Point Lighthouse Photos

    Two bedrooms, One bathroom, and a Kitchen Dining area.

  • Team Captain's Personal Information

  •  - -

  • Your team

    Please list the other people on your team. You must have four people to submit this application.

  • Experience

  • Interest

    In the boxes below, please detail why you are interested in the Tawas Point Lighthouse Keeper Program. Remember, our program is looking for teams that are enthusiastic, educators seeking a unique opportunity to stay in the beautiful East Tawas area while welcoming visitors from all over the world!
  • 0/500
  • 0/500
  • 0/500

  • Personal References

    Please provide two personal references. References should not be other team members or immediate family members.

  • Date Selection

  • Below please check all of the date ranges you are available. Keeper teams check in on a Tuesday after 5:00 p.m. and check out on Tuesday before noon. Be aware that the lighthouse is open for tours on Independence Day and Labor Day. If you select a date range that includes a holiday, you must be willing to conduct tours on that holiday. Please note there is a required stay of two weeks and only the slots listed below are available. 

  • Volunteer Release and Waiver of Liability

    Our team acknowledges that if selected for the program we will be subject to a

  •  

    Required by authority of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, for volunteer assignment consideration.

    Please read carefully! This is a legal document that affects your legal rights!
    The State of Michigan, as an Equal Opportunity Institution, complies with federal and state laws prohibiting discrimination and harassment, including Title IV and Title VII (with amendments) of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, Title IX of the Educational Amendment of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Veterans Readjustment Act of 1974 as amended 38 USC 20-12 and the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990. It is the policy of the State that no person, on the basis of race, sex, height, weight, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, age, marital status, disability or veteran status, shall be discriminated against in educational programs, activities, and employment.

    The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) encourages and supports volunteers. As a volunteer, I have an important role in providing services and programs to the public.

    I want to work as a volunteer for the Michigan DNR which appoints people like me to serve and to help the Michigan DNR. While I am serving as a volunteer, I have the same immunity from civil liability under Michigan law as an employee of the Michigan DNR. After becoming a volunteer, the Michigan DNR will provide me with support, supervision, training, and supplies for me to accomplish my assigned tasks.

    Therefore, I do freely, voluntarily, and without duress, execute this Release and acknowledge the following terms:

    1. Waiver and Release. I hereby release, waive, discharge and covenant not to sue the State of Michigan, its departments, officers, employees and agents, from any and all liability to me, for all losses, injury, death or damage, and any claims or demands thereto, on account of injury to person or property, or resulting in my death in reference to the activities authorized in my work as a volunteer. I hereby covenant and agree to indemnify and save harmless, the State of Michigan, its departments, officers, employees and agents, from any and all claims and demands, for all loss, injury, death or damage, that any person or entity may have or make, in any manner, arising out of any occurrence related to the
      activities authorized in my work as a volunteer.
    2. Medical treatment. I release and discharge Michigan DNR from any claim that arises or may arise due to any first aid, medical treatment, or service rendered to me. I understand that I may not be entitled to workers’ compensation.
    3. Assumption of risk. I understand that my work for the Michigan DNR may include activities that may be hazardous. I assume the risk of injury or harm in those activities I choose to do and release the Michigan DNR from all liability for injury, illness, death, or property damage occurring from my work for the Michigan DNR. 
    4. Insurance. The Michigan DNR does not have responsibility for providing any health, medical or disability insurance coverage for me. IT IS MY RESPONSIBILITY AS A VOLUNTEER TO ENSURE I HAVE MEDICAL/HEALTH INSURANCE. As with other members of the public, I may file a claim with the State Administrative Board for personal losses that are under $1,000.
    5. Photographic release. I grant to Michigan DNR the right to use photographic images and video or audio recordings of me that are made by Michigan DNR or others during my work assignment for Michigan DNR, including royalties, proceeds or other benefits from use of the photographs or recordings. 
    6. Copyright laws. I understand that showing videos in public that are intended for home viewing is prohibited under the U.S. copyright laws.
    7. Background check. I understand that a criminal history check may be obtained prior to my appointment as a volunteer. My signature below certifies that I agree to a criminal history check and agree to provide Michigan DNR with my date of birth.
    8. Discrimination laws. I agree to follow Michigan DNR’s policy, along with state and federal laws that forbid discrimination in employment, education, housing, public accommodation, law enforcement or public service based on a person’s religion, race, color, national origin, age, sex, marital status, height, weight, or disability.
    9. In-kind service. The Michigan DNR is eligible for some grants that require that the grant dollars received be matched by the Michigan DNR. Many grants allow the use of in-kind services as a portion of this match in lieu of actual dollars. My signature certifies that I consent to the use of my volunteer time as a possible in-kind match for grants received by the
      Michigan DNR.
    10. Other. I agree that this Release is intended to be as broad and inclusive as permitted by the laws of Michigan, and that this Release is governed by and will be interpreted according to the laws of Michigan. I understand that should any part of this Release be ruled invalid by a court, the other parts will remain valid and continue to be in effect.

  • Application Terms and Agreement

    Please review the following terms with all team members.

  • By signing below, all team members agree to the following terms and conditions, should the team be selected to participate in the Lighthouse Keepers program. All four team members: 

    • agree to perform the minimum required activities, as listed in this application. 
    • will reside in the Tawas Point Lighthouse in Tawas State Park during their designated two-week period. Team members will stay at the Tawas Point Lighthouse facility for the convenience of the Department of Natural Resources, Parks and Recreation Division and Michigan History Center.
    • agree to abide by Department Policy, State and Federal laws which prohibit discrimination in employment, education, housing public accommodations, law enforcement or public service based on religion, race, color, national origin, age, sex, marital status, height, weight, or disability.
    • understand that all the information we have willfully provided on this application is required under the authority of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Michigan History Center for the safety and well-being of all persons who utilize the Lighthouse facilities and that this information will become public record.
    • certify that the information we provided on this form is complete and true.

    By signing below all four team members agree to the above terms.

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