The American Lighthouse Foundation’s Keeper of the Light award is designed to honor those individuals and organizations in the national lighthouse community who have contributed in a significant manner to the preservation of America’s lighthouses and their rich heritage.

On April 28, ALF presented Elaine Jones of Maine’s Burnt Island Lighthouse with a Keeper of the Light award during the organization’s annual Gala, which was held at the Nonantum Resort in Kennebunkport, Maine.

Elaine Jones spearheaded the effort to acquire the Burnt Island Light Station for the Department of Marine Resources in 1998 as part of the Maine Lights Program. It was her vision to transform this five-acre island, at the entrance of Boothbay Harbor, into an outstanding educational and recreational facility for Maine’s residents and its visitors. Hired as Education Director for the state agency in 1991, Elaine’s success at building the Maine State Aquarium opened the door for the acquisition of Burnt Island.

Elaine plans to retire on November 9, 2021 – the day that marks Burnt Island’s 200 years of service. She has been fundraising with the “Keepers of Burnt Island Light,” a local non-profit organization, to restore the tower and dwelling’s exterior. A bicentennial celebration is being planned for Memorial weekend, a date that marks the government’s purchase of the island and the onset of construction. She has high hopes that the restoration of Maine’s oldest “original” lighthouse will be completed and that an endowment will be in place to protect it for the future.