[5]: 18 The lighthouse, which is visible from the ferry as it approaches and leaves the terminus at North Head, has been called "the island's signature vista".

[7] It has regularly featured in New Brunswick tourism materials and has been recognized by the federal government as "a long-standing symbol of the maritime heritage of the region".

[2] The village of North Head purchased the de-staffed but still operational light station's land and buildings, other than the lighthouse tower, from the federal government in 1994.

In 2008 the village council announced plans to sell the house, but reversed the decision in the face of the community's negative response.

Later that year, federal, provincial and municipal government grants and community fundraising resulted in over $200,000 "to build a boardwalk, improve the footbridge, produce marketing materials and cover project administrative costs at the iconic lighthouse".

[11] In 2023 the lighthouse underwent major repairs and had its shingles replaced at a cost of over $500,000, which was fundraised over two years and included federal and provincial government contributions.