The Saint Marys County Board of County Commissioners voted to authorize submission of a $100,000 Maryland Heritage Areas Authority (MHAA) grant application to stabilize and preserve the Piney Point Lighthouse Museum and Historic Park.

The vote authorizes the commission president to sign the MHAA capital grant application on behalf of the Department of Recreation and Parks. Commissioner Todd B. Morgan moved to approve the grant application; Commissioner Daniel L. Morris seconded the motion and the board voted in favor.

The request, presented by Deborah Pence, museum division manager in the Department of Recreation and Parks, outlines a plan to arrest mortar and wood deterioration at the lighthouse and keepers quarters, stabilize the structures and repaint them using a lime whitewash that allows the masonry to breathe. Pence told commissioners that the county has an existing Piney Point Lighthouse project account with about $300,000 in local funds available; the $100,000 MHAA award would use that account as the required match and leave roughly $200,000 for later site work subject to future budget discussion.

Pence and department staff reviewed the museums restoration history: the lighthouse was built in 1836, decommissioned in 1964, transferred to the county in 1980 and has suffered repeated flood and storm damage. Staff said the county relocated parts of the museum to a higher, north campus; renovated buildings now include a maritime exhibit building and a renovated two-story office building used for indoor exhibits. Preservation consultant John Lee of Annapolis recommended stabilization and phased rehabilitation after staff documented paint and mortar failures caused by earlier incompatible coatings.

County staff said the proposed MHAA project would fund masonry and wood repairs and a breathable repaint; the lime whitewash would require repainting roughly every 10 years. Pence said extensive in-kind support and fundraising from local volunteers and the Friends group had already paid for earlier phases including boat exhibits, boardwalks, signage and a kayak launch.

Commissioners asked about project timing, matching funds and next steps. Pence confirmed a proof-of-match letter would be included in the consent agenda and that staff would proceed quickly if MHAA award was made; the board said staff would also return to the board later to discuss further development of the remaining account balance.

The board approved the motion without recorded roll-call names. Commissioners also noted a future ribbon-cutting and dedication to show completed site improvements.