When the Bear Island Lighthouse became park property in 1987, it was found that extensive restoration work would have to be done on the historic building. Funds were raised to finance the roofing of the light-keeper's house and the entrance to the light tower. That work was made possible partially by a Bicentennial Lighthouse Preservation grant, in addition to private donations raised by raised by Friends of Acadia, a non-profit organization formed to help protect the park's resources. Since the light station had been listed on the National Register of Historic Places , it qualified for a program permitting the rental of non-essential historic structures and agricultural lands to individuals and organizations. Established in 1982, the program provides a means for the restoration and reuse of historic structures and land owned by the federal government.
All revenue generated from the lease of such properties is used for historic preservation purposes.
A permanent lease would not be granted. The Bear Island Lighthouse was established in 1839 to guide traffic into Northeast Harbor. The light-keeper's house was built by the Coast Guard around 1889. As keeper of the light station in 1959, Terry Stanley was responsible for lighting the acetylene-fueled beacon, shortly after sundown and extinguishing it after dawn the next day. You cranked weights up to the top of the tower and ring the bell every so many minutes.