PORTLAND – Two nonprofit groups are interested in acquiring a 107-year-old lighthouse on the Kennebec River now that its ownership has reverted back to the federal government.

The Chewonki Foundation in Wiscasset and the American Lighthouse Foundation in Wells confirmed Monday they are planning to bid for ownership of the Squirrel Point Lighthouse.

The lighthouse in Arrowsic returned to federal ownership in May, but it is not known when it will be listed as excess federal property.

Yarmouth real estate developer Michael Trenholm and his Squirrel Point Associates had been given the lighthouse for free in 1998 as part of the government’s efforts to turn such properties over to private entities.

Last summer, a nonprofit group went to court contending Trenholm failed to comply with terms of the deed and the National Historic Preservation Act. Trenholm relinquished ownership after a federal judge ruled against him.

At some point, the federal General Services Administration is expected to list the lighthouse as excess property. Once that happens, any organization may apply to the Department of the Interior for ownership.

The property would essentially be free, but the new owner would have to comply with deed restrictions such as ensuring public access.

The Chewonki Foundation views the property as an extension of its Wiscasset campus, which serves as the base for its outdoor education programs, said Don Hudson, Chewonki’s president.

Chewonki would also offer maritime education programs, he said.

Tim Harrison, president of the American Lighthouse Foundation, said his organization would emphasize lighthouse history and would consider offering lighthouse buffs overnight stays at the keeper’s quarters. Fees would go toward preserving other Maine lighthouses.

“We feel we could be an excellent steward given the fact that we are already caring for nine lighthouses in Maine,” Harrison said.

Harrison estimates the cost of restoring the lighthouse and making it accessible to the public could run as high as $500,000.