Preserving Michigan’s Maritime Artifacts
Not just saving structures—saving the stories. From keeper’s lanterns to life-saving gear, these artifacts illuminate the people who kept the lights burning.
Why Artifacts Matter:
Artifacts are the heartbeat of maritime history. They carry the craft, courage, and innovation of the U.S. Lighthouse Service, the U.S. Life-Saving Service, and the early U.S. Coast Guard. Without proper care, these irreplaceable pieces can be lost to time—and with them, the human stories that shaped our Great Lakes communities.
Artifacts Catalogued
Fully Conserved
Traveling Exhibits Loaned
Of Donations Support Preservation & Education
*Figures updated annually as projects complete.
USLHS Hand Lantern No. 1
The No. 1 Hand Lantern was a critical tool used by lighthouse keepers in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Manufactured by Dietz, these lanterns were issued in matched sets — a No. 1 and a No. 2 — so keepers could quickly grab the correct lantern during nighttime duties or emergencies.
The No. 1 lantern often served as a backup light while the main lens lamp was being lit or repaired. Its long-burning wick made it dependable during storms, power failures, or critical rescue operations. As with all official equipment, it carried a U.S. Lighthouse Service identification plate, marking it as standard government-issued gear.
Made only between 1898 and 1908, the No. 1 Dietz Blizzard lantern is far rarer than the No. 2 version and represents a significant piece of lighthouse service history.
If you have additional information or related artifacts, we welcome your insight to help preserve and expand our understanding of these historic tools.
