ALF Presents at the National Maritime Heritage Conference

The twelfth annual Maritime Heritage Conference & Historic Naval Ship Association Symposium was held on September 24-27, 2025, in Buffalo, New York.

According to the National Maritime Historical Society, “The conference brings together organizations and participants that engage in all aspects of maritime heritage. This includes maritime museums, historic lighthouses, tall ships for sail training and youth, small craft, marine art, sailing, naval and maritime scholars, advocacy, and more. It is also a gathering of the leadership of the maritime heritage community.”

The American Lighthouse Foundation (ALF) participated in the conference’s Lighthouse Storm Symposium and presented a program on Actions Needed to Mitigate Impacts and Protect Resources.

ALF Executive Director Bob Trapani, Jr. shared with the session’s attendees how recent storms have wreaked havoc on many lighthouses in Maine and New Hampshire. Trapani noted, “Many understand the general threat that severe storms and climate change pose to our historic light stations, but often times, people require a wake-up call before committing to action. For Maine and New Hampshire lighthouse stewards, the January 10 & 13, 2024 storms demanded “keepers” to suddenly become an active participant in storm mitigation and resiliency efforts. There was no turning back.”

Topics such as storm surge, erosion, rising sea levels and the types of damage to historic light station structures – including public access points, were discussed. In addition, challenges associated with timely storm repairs and integrating resiliency into the fabric of light station structures, were highlighted.

As his presentation concluded, Trapani shared with the attendees, “Where there seems to be little or no hope – this is where we need to be. To be a light. Not to show that we have all the answers, because truth be told, we do not. Rather, we need to show we care and let the lighthouse stewards know that they are not alone in this battle for sustainability.”

He went on to say, “Yet care cannot be in the form of words only. To truly demonstrate care, we must see the depth of the challenges for what they are – feel them to our core, and strive to produce helpful action.

Regarding funding for climate adaptation, Trapani said, “Don’t focus on money. Focus on relationships. For money does not create relationships, but relationships will create funding & sustainability. What we need to do is pull tomorrow into today – a pursuit that requires evolving thought and practices. To do this, we actually need pressure, discomfort – even failure. This may sound counterintuitive, but experience teaches us that generally speaking, people will not be prompted to act and adopt change until what is familiar and/or comfortable, is no longer an option that can be maintained. Forward thinking and innovation is required.”