After nearly a half-million public votes cast, the hotly contested race to win JELD-WEN’s Reliable Lighthouse Restoration Initiative is down to three worthy candidates (in alphabetical order): Grand Traverse Lighthouse in Michigan, Bodie Island Light Station in North Carolina, Grand Traverse Lighthouse in Michigan and New Canal Lighthouse in Louisiana.
With very different stories, histories and architectural styles, these top lighthouse finalists together generated nearly 70 percent of the public votes, narrowing the field from 12 lighthouse candidates to three. Voting ended Sept. 7, and the next stage will be a thorough evaluation of each lighthouse to determine need, overall restoration plans and historic preservation requirements. The final winner will receive custom JELD-WEN windows and doors.
"The outpouring of public support has been incredible and every single vote has made a difference," said Lynne Butterworth, JELD-WEN lighthouse project manager. "The 12 finalists ─ indeed all 50 lighthouses that were nominated ─ are all very deserving of help and support. The people have spoken, and now, we need to complete our due diligence and consider all criteria for the final selection."
Grand Traverse Lighthous located in Leelanau State Park, Michigan is a 150-years old. After the U.S. Coast Guard relocated and automated the light in 1972, a group of volunteers formed the Grand Traverse Lighthouse Museum to preserve the building’s history. Grand Traverse lighthouse now welcomes nearly 150,000 visitors each year. To find out more about the Grand Traverse Lighthouse go to grandtraverselighthouse.com.