The U.S. Life-Saving Service
Heritage Association



Extremely rare photo of original Big Sandy Lifesaving Station, Lake Ontario
from the Harvey Richardson collection at Selkirk Lighthouse
The U.S. Life -Saving Service Heritage Association was formed during the first Lifesaving Station Symposium held in September, 1995, at Cape Cod National Seashore in Massachusetts. The two-day workshop, devoted to the history, interpretation, and preservation of lifesaving and lifeboat stations, was organized by the National Park Service's Maritime Initiative and the Hull Lifesaving Museum to provide a formal opportunity for owners and managers of these unique properties to meet, communicate, and exchange ideas. Seeing the value of being an organized constituency, the attendees created the U.S. Life-Saving Service Heritage Association as a group dedicated to promoting, preserving, and interpreting the history of the U.S. Life-Saving Service (USLSS) and related organizations.

The U.S. Life-Saving Service

The U.S. Life-Saving Service was a Federal agency that grew out of private and local humanitarian efforts to save the lives of shipwrecked mariners and passengers. By the time the USLSS merged with the Revenue Cutter Service in 1915 to form the U.S. Coast Guard, there was a network of over 270 stations covering the Atlantic, Pacific, and Gulf Coasts, and along the Great Lakes.

Inventory of Surviving Lifesaving Stations

As part of its ongoing efforts to survey maritime properties, the National Maritime Initiative has created an inventory of surviving lifesaving properties around the United States. There are currently over 150 known surviving lifesaving and lifeboat stations in this inventory. These properties can be found in National Parks, as part of U.S. Coast Guard stations, as museums, as research facilities, bed & breakfasts, and as private residences. Anyone with knowledge of an existing station is encouraged to contact the Initiave at (202) 343-9508.

Join the U.S. Life-Saving Service Heritage Association!

Join an exciting new association to help preserve the heritage of the U.S. Life-Saving Service and related rescue organizations. Founded at the 1995 Life-Saving Service Symposium at Cape Cod National Seashore by leading authors, historic preservation expert, museum directors and other authorities in the field.

Benefits include the opportunity to . . . .

Membership CategoryDues
Life-Saver$25
Life-Saving Family$40
Station Keeper$100
District Superintendent$500

For additional information, contact:

The U.S. Life-Saving Service Heritage Association
P.O. Box 75
Caledonia, MI 49316-0075


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