WASHINGTON, D.C. — On June 12, Representatives Chellie Pingree, D-Maine, and Bruce Poliquin, R-Maine, wrote to United States Coast Guard Curator, Arlyn Danielson, to help support the preservation of the Maine Lighthouse Museum in Rockland. The artifacts on loan to the museum are viewed and appreciated by thousands of tourist and Mainers.

Recently, the United States Coast Guard held a meeting with leaders of the Maine Lighthouse Museum and representatives from the City of Rockland to discuss the museum's inventory and a possible long term artifact loan.

In their letter to Coast Guard Curator Arlyn Danielson, Representatives Pingree and Poliquin wrote, "Maine is home to nearly sixty historic lighthouses, and every year thousands of people travel to our state to visit them. Recognizing the draw that these iconic structures have for tourists and residents alike, a decorated Coast Guard retiree founded the Maine Lighthouse Museum – an effort which would not have been possible without the generous loan of artifacts from the Coast Guard's collection.

"We feel strongly that retaining these items from the Coast Guard's collection would bolster the museum's ability to provide an educational and cultural experience to our constituents and the many tourists who visit the museum each year."