U.S. General Services Administration
The National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act of 2000 codified the bright idea of sharing lighthouses as historical treasures with the public. To date, more than 151 lighthouses have been sold or transferred out of federal ownership, with 81 transferred at no cost to eligible entities, and 70 sold by auction to the public, generating about $10 million. Learn more about how our process works. Find your path to lighthouse ownership in one of these entry points.
You can’t get more waterfront than this! We opened the popular lighthouse disposal program for the public in June, but there's still time to bid. This annual program allows the public to purchase lighthouses through online, real-time auctions. In the past decade, the program has put lighthouses across the country into the hands of those who love waterfront living and historical restoration. And this takes a burden off taxpayers for maintaining the properties. Start your journey here for more information on acquiring your seaside or lakeside retreat.
Current and upcoming public auctions
- Penfield Reef Lighthouse in Connecticut.
- Stratford Shoal Lighthouse in Connecticut.
- Cleveland Harbor West Pierhead Light in Ohio.
- Keweenaw Waterway Lower Entrance Light in Michigan.
Recognizing the cultural, recreational, and educational value of historic light stations, the NHLPA allows these national treasures to be transferred at no cost to federal agencies, state and local governments, nonprofit corporations, educational and community development organizations. We work with the U.S. Coast Guard and National Park Service to determine available lighthouses. NPS administers a competitive application process. If no selected grantees are approved, we may auction the property to the public.
The Notices of Availability process for non-profit and public organizations has closed as of July 14, 2023. For further information, please visit the National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act Program.
Thank you to everyone who expressed interest in these no-cost transfer lighthouses:
- Lynde Point Lighthouse, Old Saybrook, Connecticut
- Nobska Lighthouse, Falmouth (Woods Hole), Massachusetts
- Plymouth/Gurnet Lighthouse, Plymouth, Massachusetts
- Warwick Neck Light, Warwick, Rhode Island
- Little Mark Island and Monument, Harpswell, Maine
- Erie Harbor North Pier Lighthouse, Erie, Pennsylvania
