The Lighthouse Preservation Society

What The Lighthouse Preservation Society does

The Lighthouse Preservation Society (LPS) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1983 and headquartered in Dover, New Hampshire. Its mission is to preserve historic American lighthouse structures, open them to public use and enjoyment, and document their history and that of their keepers. The organization operates from a single physical asset, the Newburyport Rear Range Lighthouse in Newburyport, Massachusetts, originally constructed in 1873, where it runs the only known lighthouse-top dining experience in the world.

LPS generates revenue through three streams: (1) private lighthouse rentals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner dining experiences at $350 to $700 per reservation, with food purchased separately from a roster of seven partner restaurants (Nu Kitchen, Angie's, Brown Sugar by the Sea, Loretta, Mission Oak Grill, Starboard Galley, and Port Vida); (2) all-inclusive gift certificates priced at $500 for two, $750 for three, and $1,000 for four guests; and (3) a six-tier annual membership program ranging from $30 (Cadet) to $1,000 (Commissioner). A small e-commerce store supplements revenue with books on Florida and New York lighthouses and branded merchandise (tote bags, hats, patches, camp mugs).

The organization has no proprietary technology platform; its stack consists of Square for payment processing, MailerLite for email marketing, and Google Analytics for web analytics. Distribution is direct: phone-based reservations (603-740-0055) and online checkout. Marketing relies heavily on earned media rather than paid acquisition, with consistent coverage from The New York Times, Yankee Magazine, WBZ, CBS Boston, Chronicle, Channel 7 Boston, Phantom Gourmet, and Historic Traveler. The organization has been recognized with a Presidential Achievement Award from the federal government and is led by founder and president James Hyland, who has guided the organization for over 35 years.

Name

The Lighthouse Preservation Society

Legal name

The Lighthouse Preservation Society

Website

https://lighthousepreservation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1983

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Lighthouse Preservation Society is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1983 that preserves historic American lighthouses and operates the only lighthouse-top dining experience in the world at the Newburyport Rear Range Lighthouse in Massachusetts, serving individual diners, gift certificate buyers, and tax-deductible membership supporters across six tiers from $30 to $1,000.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Historic Lighthouse Preservation and Heritage Nonprofit Services

NAICS

Historical Sites (712120), Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions (7121)

akta.pro primary industry

Historic Preservation & Landmarks Conservation (BPAGAHAE)

akta.pro secondary industry

Museums & Heritage Sites (History, Science, Specialty) (BPAGAHAA)

Keywords

• Lighthouse preservation
• Maritime heritage conservation
• Nonprofit fundraising events
• Historic site dining
• Membership programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Dover

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Dining Experience Fundraiser: Private rental of the Newburyport Rear Range Lighthouse for dining experiences. Pricing ranges from $350-$700 per reservation depending on party size and meal time. Food and drink purchased separately from partnered restaurants. Each reservation includes a membership in The Lighthouse Preservation Society.
2. Membership Dues: Annual membership program with six tiers ranging from $30 (Cadet/student) to $1,000 (Commissioner). Each tier includes newsletter, window decal, and corresponding gift items. Membership dues are tax-deductible.
3. Retail Store: E-commerce sales of lighthouse-related merchandise including books (Florida Lighthouses $40, Lighthouses of New York $45), accessories (tote bags $45, hats $30, patches $7, camp mugs $25), and gift certificates for dining experiences ($500-$1,000).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

The Lighthouse Preservation Society is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that preserves historic American lighthouses and operates the Newburyport Rear Range Lighthouse (built 1873) as a venue for private dining experiences at the top of the tower. It sells annual memberships, themed books, and lighthouse merchandise through its online store, with all revenue funding lighthouse restoration, education, and advocacy.

Product overview

The Lighthouse Preservation Society operates primarily as a nonprofit organization focused on preserving historic lighthouse structures. Their main product is the unique dining experience at the top of the Newburyport Harbor Rear Range Lighthouse, which offers private rentals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner with dedicated wait staff. The experience is priced at $350-$700 per booking (excluding food), while all-inclusive gift certificates are available for $500-$1,000 depending on party size. The organization also offers an annual membership program with six tiers ($30-$1,000), and operates an online shop selling lighthouse-themed merchandise including books, tote bags, hats, patches, and camp mugs. Restaurant partners provide catering services for the dining program.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Breakfast/Brunch at the Lighthouse Private rental of the Newburyport Rear Range Lighthouse for approximately 5 hours (7:00-11:30am) for breakfast/brunch with dedicated wait staff, including LPS membership. Food purchased separately from partner restaurants.
• Lunch at the Lighthouse Private rental of the Newburyport Rear Range Lighthouse for approximately 5 hours (12:00pm-4:30pm) for lunch with dedicated wait staff, including LPS membership. Food purchased separately from partner restaurants.
• Dinner at the Lighthouse Private rental of the Newburyport Rear Range Lighthouse for approximately 5 hours (5 PM to 10:30 PM) for dinner with dedicated wait staff, including LPS membership. Food purchased separately from partner restaurants.
• Gift Certificate for 2 All-inclusive gift certificate for 2 people. Includes private rental of the lighthouse tower for approximately 5 hours, hiring of personal wait staff, food, and a membership in The Lighthouse Preservation Society. $500 per couple.
• Gift Certificate for 3 All-inclusive gift certificate for 3 people. Includes private rental of the lighthouse tower for approximately 5 hours, hiring of personal wait staff, food, and a membership in The Lighthouse Preservation Society. $750.
• Gift Certificate for 4 All-inclusive gift certificate for 4 people. Includes private rental of the lighthouse tower for approximately 5 hours, hiring of personal wait staff, food, and a membership in The Lighthouse Preservation Society. $1,000.
• Membership Program Annual membership in The Lighthouse Preservation Society with six rank categories: Cadet ($30), Assistant Keeper ($50), Keeper ($100), Inspector ($250), Superintendent ($500), and Commissioner ($1,000). Each level includes a newsletter, window decal, and corresponding gift item. Dues are tax deductible.
• Florida Lighthouses Book Softcover book by Rick and Terri Tuers with Foreword by LPS president James Hyland. 192 pages covering Florida's 30 lighthouses with modern color and historical black-and-white photographs, postcards, and diagrams. $40.
• Lighthouses of New York Book Glossy coffee-table book by Rick Tuers covering New York's 69 lighthouses with photos and histories. Authored with encouragement from LPS president James Hyland, published by Schiffer Publishing. $45.
• Lighthouse Tote Bag Natural canvas tote bag with America's lighthouses collage design by U.S. postage stamp illustrator Howard Koslow. Features reinforced top handles, measures 19" wide x 16" high x 5" deep. $45.
• Newburyport Lighthouse Hat Hat with or without mesh back. Features embroidered logo patch and adjustable clasp for perfect fit. Available in two styles. $30.
• Newburyport Lighthouse Patch Embroidered patch for backpacks, duffles, and other accessories. $7.
• Newburyport Lighthouse Camp Mug 10-ounce camp mug suitable for outdoor use. Hand wash only. $25.

Quantifiable outcome

• Only lighthouse in the world offering dining at the top
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Nu KitchencoreOthers · 17 April 2025Restaurant partner providing breakfast and lunch catering for lighthouse dining experiences. Nu Kitchen believes food, drink, and lifestyle should be free from junk, combining passion for entertaining with commitment to healthy lifestyle. Partnership enables breakfast and lunch offerings at the lighthouse.
• Angie's FoodcoreOthersRestaurant partner serving breakfast in Newburyport since 1969. Known for homemade specials prepared daily and meals made to order. Provides breakfast and brunch catering for lighthouse dining experiences.
• Brown Sugar by the SeacoreOthersRestaurant partner offering contemporary Thai cuisine with creative, healthy takes on traditional dishes. Fresh vegetables, bright flavors, and herbs in every dish. Provides lunch and dinner catering for lighthouse experiences.
• Loretta RestaurantcoreOthersRestaurant partner offering regional American fare in the heart of Newburyport. Menu changes daily to reflect freshest foods available with seasonal, local, and diverse dishes. Provides lunch and dinner for lighthouse experiences.
• Mission Oak GrillcoreOthersRestaurant partner featuring mix of classic dishes using indigenous ingredients. Hand-cut, grilled steaks and high-quality produce with creative wine and food pairings. Provides brunch, lunch, and dinner for lighthouse experiences.
• Starboard Galley RestaurantcoreOthersRestaurant partner offering Newburyport's freshest seafood, including lobster, clams, haddock, salmon, and other seafood delicacies. Also provides menu options for landlubbers. Provides lunch and dinner for lighthouse experiences.
• Port VidacoreOthersRestaurant partner serving authentic Mexican food with dishes rooted in Mexican culinary traditions. Uses prime ingredients and creativity. Provides lunch and dinner for lighthouse experiences.
• Grand Haven Lighthouse ConservancyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated with James Hyland and The Lighthouse Preservation Society to fabricate and install brass vents for the Grand Haven South Pier Lighthouse restoration project in Michigan. LPS assisted with brass manual air vent covers as part of ongoing lighthouse preservation efforts.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• U.S. Lighthouse Society: National nonprofit dedicated to preserving lighthouses and their history; the most direct mission-aligned peer, operating educational programs, publications, and advocacy comparable to LPS.
• Historic New England: Largest regional heritage organization operating 36+ historic house museums across New England with public programming, memberships, and earned revenue — closely comparable operational model.
• American Lighthouse Foundation: Lighthouse-specific nonprofit that actively owns, restores, and operates multiple lighthouses for public access; comparable dual mission of preservation plus public-facing programming.
• Preservation Society of Newport County: Nonprofit that preserves and opens historic Newport mansions to the public through ticketed experiences, memberships, and retail; directly comparable premium-experience heritage business model.
• Grand Haven Lighthouse Conservancy: Regional lighthouse preservation nonprofit and confirmed LPS partner (Grand Haven South Pier brass vent restoration); directly comparable volunteer-driven preservation model.
• Maine Lighthouse Museum: Lighthouse heritage institution curating artifacts and operating a public museum; comparable nonprofit heritage programming for lighthouse enthusiasts in the same New England market.
• New England Lighthouse Foundation: New England-focused lighthouse preservation nonprofit that acquires and restores lighthouses in the same geography; directly comparable geographic scope and mission.

Broad incumbents

• Save the Sound: Connecticut-based nonprofit that operates lighthouses (e.g., Stamford Harbor) as part of a broader environmental mission; overlapping heritage-site stewardship in the same coastal New England corridor.
• National Trust for Historic Preservation: Large national preservation nonprofit with advocacy, grants, and a broader portfolio; comparable mission but operates at a much larger scale and broader scope than LPS.
• City Experiences (Alcatraz Cruises): Commercial operator that runs ticketed public access tours of historic sites (notably Alcatraz) through a National Park Service concession; comparable ticketed-historic-site revenue model at much larger scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/RearRangeLight
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/lighthouse-preservation-society

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Lighthouse Preservation Society