Thanks for your input - it's nice see the perspective of our site through the eyes of a "Newbie".

I see you are also in the Phoenix area. Not many lighthouses to view here, of course.

"Declining membership" goes with the declining interest in things collectible.

Not just Harbour Lights but all the 'manufactured' limited edition collectibles from Hummels to Precious Moments to Walt Disney. The decline started about 2000.

Some attribute it to eBay, others blame the declining economy which causes one's disposable (or discretionary) income, if any, to be hoarded. Some have just run out of room to display collections of hundreds of pieces.

Our site is visited usually by 350-425 people each day with about 75 people posting during an average month.

Lighthouses themselves were once popular -- vital, in fact. We could say that the 'value' [usefulness] of lighthouses has "declined" over the past 75 years or so because other technologies replaced their functions.

But new people came along to love them for their lore and history and variety and the beautiful locations.

These newcomers helped to save lighthouses from being destroyed because they were obsolete.

Welcome and thanks again for your input.