Another year, another opportunity to be a part of the Lighthouse Keeper Program at Tawas Point Lighthouse! The application for the 2026 season is open now through Feb. 28.

This program is perfect for enthusiasts of history, lighthouses or Michigan (or a combination of all three!). For just $250 per person, you and three friends can enjoy a two-week stay along the beautiful Lake Huron shoreline, immersed in the history of Tawas Point. Equipped with training and knowledge from the lighthouse’s historian, Lighthouse Keepers serve as guides, greeting visitors and leading tours. The total service commitment is about 30 hours each week. The keeper schedule includes plenty of free time to explore the state park, nearby communities and surrounding area.

Don’t worry, the lighthouse might be nearly 150 years old, but the living quarters feature modern accommodations! The second floor includes two bedrooms that can sleep four adults, a fully equipped kitchen and a full bathroom. Free on-site parking is also provided. Unfortunately, we do not allow pets to stay in the lighthouse.

Keepers must apply in teams of four. For everyone’s safety, team members must be 18 years or older and able to climb the tower’s 85 steps. The $10 application fee, as well as the cost of your stay, supports the continued restoration and interpretation of Tawas Point Lighthouse.

Apply today!

Join our team! For the summer of 2026, we are hiring up to 17 historical interpreters across the state of Michigan. These positions are opportunities to expand skills, gain experience and work independently in a variety of public history contexts in some of Michigan’s most beautiful places.

• Walker Tavern Historic Site (Cambridge Junction Historic State Park): 2 positions
• Hartwick Pines Logging Museum (Hartwick Pines State Park): 2 positions
• Higgins Lake Nursery & Civilian Conservation Corps Museum (North Higgins Lake State Park): 1 position
• Mann House: 2 positions
• Sanilac Petroglyphs Historic State Park: 4 positions
• Fayette Historic Townsite (Fayette Historic State Park): 2 positions
• Fort Wilkins and Copper Harbor Lighthouses (Fort Wilkins Historic State Park): 4 positions

Learn more about the open positions on our website.

History and art join in the 2026 special exhibit, “Black Velvet: A Rasquache Aesthetic” – open now through late November. The exhibit explores black velvet paintings and their place in Latino history. 

There are more than 100 black velvet paintings on display, which are painted on rich, textured fabric. While the subject of each painting varies, the deep black background is a staple that helps the colors pop. The term “rasquache” refers to the creation of art and beauty from everyday materials.

The pieces, many made in workshops throughout Mexico and the Southwest U.S., became popular among tourists in the 1960s and '70s. As a result, many of them reflect subject matter that appealed to tourists, such as bull fights, American celebrities and Southwest landscapes. Other popular subject matter includes animals and religious figures.

The exhibit was created by the MHC team in partnership with three guest curators, Diana Rivera, Elena Herrada and Minerva Martinez, who loaned the museum paintings from their personal collections.

Plan your visit to the museum today!