We’re reaching out to you for help because you’ve either been to or expressed an interest in visiting Alaska’s Cape St. Elias Lighthouse on Kayak Island.

Our mission

For the past 25 years, we have worked hard to keep the lighthouse, an extraordinary place, open for people like yourself to experience.

The mission of the Cape St Elias Lighthouse Keepers Association’s 501(c)3 organization is to provide and maintain accommodations for the general public and to preserve, as best as possible, the Light Station.

As you know, Kayak Island is a dynamic and often unforgiving place where the elements tend to take over as soon as you turn your back. The planet is trying very hard to reclaim this place for its own, and consequently, just keeping those elements at bay is something of a task.

The Light Station Needs Support

The building we're working on now is the former boathouse currently used as a bunkhouse. It is the only wood structure on the site, and most of the cedar shingle siding had blown off the building. However, for being over 100 years old, the structure underneath is in very good shape. With new siding and some roof work, we don't see any reason it couldn't serve the public for another 100 years. 

We’re writing to ask for your support to help with this endeavor.

Getting a Wrap on It in 2024

In August 2023, a team of six volunteers spent six days at the Cape to begin phase one of our three-phase project. We beat back the jungle, stripped off a majority of the remaining siding and wrapped the building in a breathable, waterproof membrane. We feel we bought some time with the work completed this year, but it needs to be finished.

Phase two, the siding, has to be completed in the summer of 2024 or else the membrane we applied will be compromised. Phase three is projected to start in 2025 to completely re-roof the building. However, the repairs we’ve made over the last several years render this final phase a bit less urgent.

What We Need – Community Support

We estimate needing around $35,000 to cover materials, transportation and provisions for the volunteer crews next season. To get there we’ve applied for multiple grants to help with the costs, but we really need to show community and user support to reinforce our grant applications.

This building is the bedrock of the organization, and without it there’s really no point in continuing on. The public will essentially lose access to a wonderful historic landmark in a staggeringly beautiful place that is as raw, real and as wild as any place that still exists on the planet.

With your help, we will keep the Cape St. Elias Lighthouse and its mission going. We have established a GoFundMe campaign dedicated to raising funds for the 2024 bunkhouse restoration project. Every contribution, regardless of size, resonates powerfully and will directly influence our successful outcome.

To contribute, please visit: https://gofund.me/62ffdd5c

In closing, we extend our gratitude for your past and continued support. The Cape continues to thrive because of individuals like you who believe in its historical significance and support its preservation for travelers and adventurers worldwide.

All the best and safe travels,
“The Lighthouse Keepers”
Cordova, Alaska