The Upper Peninsula’s cultural and economic heritage has always been closely tied to the Great Lakes and the abundant natural resources those bodies of water have provided over time.

That has meant traversing the lakes in ships large and small, across waters that can and have claimed many lives.

To support safety, lighthouses were stationed at various strategic locations along the shoreline, to serve as emergency beacons for ships seeking safe harbor.

Two of those structures — the Rock of Ages Lighthouse off the west end of Isle Royale National Park and the Eagle Harbor Lighthouse near Eagle Harbor — are in line to receive state support for historic preservation.

Last week, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson announced that $106,000 in Michigan Lighthouse Assistance Program grants from the Michigan State Historic Preservation Office have been awarded to the sites.

The Rock of Ages Lighthouse received an MLAP grant of $46,000 with a match of $23,000. Funds will be used to hire a contractor to rehabilitate the 132-foot-tall lighthouse by cleaning and painting the exterior. The last time the lighthouse was painted was in 1985.

The Eagle Harbor Lighthouse, meanwhile, received a $60,000 MLAP grant with a match of $39,000. Funds will be used to hire a contractor to rehabilitate the tower of the lighthouse.

Proposed work will include replacement of deteriorated brick and selective repointing of the tower, repairing damaged plaster on the tower interior, roof and wall water diversion and deck and lantern room repair.

“We’re proud to help Michiganders across the state preserve the historic lighthouses that beautify and enrich our state’s shorelines,” Benson said in a press release. “We’re making government work for everyone by providing convenient and efficient services that meet the needs of all Michiganders and our state’s historic treasures.”

We echo Benson’s sentiments.

History has always been important to the U.P. and the people that visit each year.

This effort underscores that importance.