Elaine Jones' mother always said she was going to be a teacher. As a child, Elaine would take bottles out of the cupboard and pretend to teach them lessons.

A biology major in college with a concentration in education, Jones taught in the public school system for eight years before spending eight years at home raising her three children.

She was offered a job as the Maine Department of Marine Resource's education director in 1991. After approaching her husband about taking the job, she began working out of DMR's Hallowell office.

In 1992-1993, construction began on DMR's new laboratory at McKown Point in Boothbay Harbor. The aquarium component of the lab was turned over to Jones in 1994.

"There were no plans or money from the state for the aquarium," said Jones. "I finally got the state to finance the aquarium by asking them to put the tuition money of the courses I was teaching toward the construction of the aquarium."

With some design help from her engineer husband and the maintenance crew at the McKown Point facility, Jones got the aquarium built.

Burnt Island Lighthouse, which was one of 38 lighthouses along the coast of Maine offered for purchase through the Maine Lights Program, was acquired by DMR in 1998 through grants, volunteers and the leadership of Jones.

"I had a vision of offering an educational facility for the public," said Jones about Burnt Island. "The idea of offering a lighthouse keepers' history component came after my children were so taken with the program offered at Fort Halifax in Nova Scotia, Canada.”

Jones met with a few former keepers of Burnt Island Lighthouse to get their stories for the history program. Then she led a campaign and gathered helpers to restore the buildings on the island, as well as spruce up the island's grounds. An education center was later built on the island, where small groups can book overnight stays. Tours of the island began in 2003.

During the summer months, visitors are treated to an educational program with actors playing the parts of a family running the island. Teachers are offered to spend time on the island with student groups, with everyone learning about marine science, what island life was like and more.

Jones said her program is unparalleled.

"The only other program like it is offered in Minnesota," said Jones. “I feel that Burnt Island Lighthouse is now a destination point for visitors to the Boothbay region."

The island is now overseen by the group, Friends of Burnt Island Lighthouse, which offers programs on the island on Mondays and Thursdays during the summer. Boat trips to the island are offered through Balmy Days Boat Trips at Pier 8 in Boothbay Harbor.

Jones said she hopes the program continues and she plans to stay involved until at least 2021, the 200th anniversary of the lighthouse.

"I will be 65 then and I want to ensure that the program continues long after I retire," said Jones.

Lighthouses in the Boothbay region

Pemaquid Point Lighthouse: Built in 1835 and located on the Bristol peninsula, this lighthouse has a museum and is accessible by car.

Ram Island Lighthouse: Built in 1883 and located off Boothbay Harbor. Viewable from Ocean Point, Boothbay

The Cuckolds Lighthouse: Built in 1907 and recently refurbished as an inn. The lighthouse is viewable off the Newagen town dock on Southport Island, which is connected to the Boothbay Harbor mainland by a swing bridge.

Seguin Island Lighthouse: Built in 1857 and located off Popham Beach in Georgetown, Sequin tours are offered out of Bath and Freeport,

Hendricks Head Lighthouse: Built in 1875 and privately owned. Viewable from Hendricks Head Beach on Southport Island.