“Ladies of the Lights” Presentation by Michigan Maritime Expert Dianna Stampfler Showcases Female Keepers of Michigan’s Historic Beacons
“Ladies of the Lights” Presentation Showcases Female Keepers of Michigan’s Historic Beacons
Michigan lighthouse historian and author Dianna Stampfler has announced a series of presentations of her popular “Ladies of the Lights” in honor of Women’s History Month. This program, which includes readings from newspapers and autobiographies, as well as countless historic photos, sheds light on the dedicated women who served at lights around the state dating back as early as the 1830s.
These were women before their time, taking on the romantic yet dangerous and physically demanding job of tending to the lighthouses that protected the Great Lakes shoreline. Given this was also a government job, their involvement was even more unique. In all, nearly 50 women have been identified who excelled in this profession over the years.
One of the most notable was Elizabeth (Whitney) VanRiper Williams who took over the St. James Harbor Light on Beaver Island after her husband, Clement, died while attempting to rescue the crew of a ship sinking in the harbor. She later became the first keeper of the Little Traverse Lighthouse in Harbor Springs, retiring after a combined 44 years of service.
There is also Julia (Tobey) Braun Way who outlived two husband keepers at the Saginaw River Rear Range Lighthouse in Bay City, and some say who still haunts the place today. Anastasia Truckey served as the interim keeper at the Marquette Harbor Lighthouse in the 1860s while her husband, Nelson, was off serving in the Civil War. Mary Terry served 18 years before she died in a fire at the Sand Point Lighthouse in Escanaba in 1886 – her death still shrouded in mystery 137 years later.
Stampfler has been researching Great Lakes lighthouses for more than 25 years and is the author of Michigan’s Haunted Lighthouses (2019) and Death and Lighthouses on the Great Lakes (2022) both from The History Press. She has penned countless articles and been interviewed extensively about the lighthouses and their keepers. She is also the president of Promote Michigan.
Summer in Door County means cool breezes, mild temperatures, quaint harbor towns, farm-to-table restaurants, cheeseries, wineries, mead makers and distillers and sun-soaked waterfront vistas as well as 300 miles of shoreline paralleling Lake Michigan and Green Bay.
This delightful coastal Wisconsin getaway is now open for travel and committed to providing visitors with a safe vacation experience. To achieve this, Door County communities and lodgers have developed health and safety procedures and are committed to following operating guidelines from state and local authorities. Many have signed on to the Commitment to Cleanliness and Safety Initiative, a joint endeavor from Door County Medical Center and Door County Public Health to ensure the safety of both visitors and residents.
Hillside Waterfront Hotel. Photo by Trail Genius.
Visitors to Door County can choose family owned, vintage hotels and inns, historic B&Bs, luxury waterfront suites and cottages for their stay. Starting in June through July many accommodations in Door County are offering Re-Open and Re-Discover promotion packages for those who want to explore the peninsula’s 11 lighthouses, five state parks, cherry orchards, maritime history, wildlife preserves and myriad of outdoor recreation activities knowing that safety precautions are of utmost importance to the community. Take advantage of packages that include accommodations for one to three nights; a meal for two (offerings may include a gift certificate to a local restaurant, complimentary on-property breakfast, a picnic basket filled with Door County specialties); an activity or attraction offering (state park pass, maps, tours, tastings); and a $25 Door County gift certificate available to use at a variety of shops, restaurants and attractions.
Kayaking by Cana Lighthouse. Photo by Jon Jarosh.
Explore the Lake Michigan side, a little more quiet, in Baileys Harbor with Maxwelton Braes Lodge’s Stay, Play & Dine Package featuring a two night stay, two rounds of golf, $50 gift certificate to Thyme Cuisine, two complimentary old fashioned cocktails, and breakfast or express lunch for two at Thyme Cuisine. Ephraim’s ideal spot for a romantic getaway is Eagle Harbor Inn, offering “Suite Escape: Contact Free Stay.” Enjoy a one-bedroom Whirlpool Suite welcomed with chilled prosecco and chocolate truffles and grab a picnic lunch from Door County Creamery using a Door County gift certificate. To view complete package details and a list of participating accommodations, visit doorcounty.com/content/vacation-packages and link directly to accommodations for booking
