The Turn Point Light Station, built in 1893 on Stuart Island, has a new lease on life. Due to the efforts of BLM Outdoor Recreation Planner Nick Teague and the small Orcas-based non-profit Turn Point Lighthouse Preservation Society (TPLPS), the Light Keepers program is on the road to success.

Spearheaded by ambitious

“It is a slow process, but the task is rewarding,” said Margaret Jonas who created TPLPS in 2005 along with her husband Mike and long-time Stuart Island residents Jim and Linda Bergquist.

TPLPS has been awarded a grant from the Washington State commemorative Lighthouse License Plate program that helps fund lighthouse restorations in our state. Money is earmarked for further restoration of Mule Barn, a water catchment plan, composting toilets and water for the Main Keepers Quarters.

This summer, TPLPS is poised to open an interpretive program on the lighthouse grounds that will allow visitors to interact one-on-one with a docent who will show off exhibits and talk about the program plans.

The United States Lighthouse Society sponsors a Passport Program that promotes visits to lighthouses around the country. The Turn Point Lighthouse stamp was unveiled this year. When Passport holders visit the lighthouse and collect the stamp, the passport program helps fund the lighthouse preservation. Passports are available at the Orcas Eclipse Charters gift shop in addition to mugs, postcards, patches and lighthouse books which also help fund the restoration of Turn Point Lighthouse.

On April 19, an Earth Day work party to Stuart

Additional summer events are posted at www.tplps.org. For more information about any Turn Point Lighthouse Preservation Society event, call Margaret or Mike Jonas at 376-5246.