Dear Editor:

If you haven’t read “101 Reasons to Love Summer in Maine,” it is the feature article in Down East magazine’s May edition. The article includes Burnt Island’s Living Lighthouse Tour as the eighth reason and it reads: “Burnt Island Light’s New Interpretative Approach – History tours have always been a draw at the 202-year old lighthouse at the mouth of Boothbay Harbor, but last year the site swapped out costumed performers for former keepers and their family members. Hear fascinating stories by those who lived them.”

The article also referred readers to the Keepers of Burnt Island Light’s website, however, as founder and director of the nonprofit organization, I feel that clarification is necessary. Owned by the state of Maine, its steward the Department of Marine Resources has opted for another approach. As was offered last year, Burnt Island’s true, former keepers (who all live out of state) will not have permission to reside in the keeper’s dwelling this summer. Therefore, our unique, educational services of having them share their life stories will not be available to all who go ashore. It is with great sadness that I update you about the lack of public tours by our volunteer former keepers in 2023, a service that our organization has provided for the past 14 years as a living history program.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the generous donors who have supported the Keepers of Burnt Island Light, both monetarily and through educational, maintenance, and gardening services. Because of you, Burnt Island has been a pristine environment for recreational users, the site for outstanding educational programming, and is now a fully restored historic site for future generations to enjoy. My heartfelt appreciation as you all made a huge difference for school children, teachers, and the public.

Jean McKay

Keepers of Burnt Island Light Director