Efforts Underway to Preserve Historic Hudson-Athens Lighthouse
In Athens, New York, federal engineers are set to embark on a project aimed at preserving the historic Hudson-Athens Lighthouse, a structure that has stood for 150 years, which is situated on a mudflat within the Hudson River. The announcement was made on Monday by local officials.
Senator Chuck Schumer and representatives from the Army Corps of Engineers revealed that $50,000 has been designated for a study focusing on how to safeguard this important lighthouse, which commenced operations in 1874. This year, it was included in the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s list of the eleven most endangered historic sites across the United States.
Senator Schumer, a Democrat from New York, expressed optimism that this funding marks a pivotal step forward in securing the necessary financial resources for the lighthouse’s preservation. He emphasized that if action is not taken soon, the structure could face severe deterioration due to continuous erosion highlighted in preliminary assessments conducted by preservation experts.
“This landmark is as iconic to the Hudson River as the Statue of Liberty is to the nation,” Schumer commented during a phone call after announcing the funding at a riverfront park in Athens, which provides a picturesque view of the lighthouse. “Learning about its history is integral to understanding our country’s past.”
The next phase involves collaboration between the Corps of Engineers and the Hudson-Athens Lighthouse Preservation Society, which owns and operates the lighthouse as a museum. Together, they will formulate a comprehensive plan to restore the building, according to Schumer.
He is confident that the required millions for the lighthouse’s refurbishment and preservation are highly likely to materialize, given its designation as a priority for preservation efforts.
Constructed 100 miles (161 kilometers) north of Manhattan, the lighthouse was strategically placed to prevent vessels from running aground on the river’s mudflats, which lie between Athens on the west bank and the city of Hudson on the opposite shore. Although it remains operational, it now uses an automated LED beacon.
The lighthouse is supported by approximately 200 wooden pilings submerged in mud beneath the river’s surface. Current conditions, exacerbated by the turbulence generated by passing commercial vessels, are eroding the mud and exposing the pilings to river water, hastening their deterioration.
The preservation society has plans to enhance the lighthouse’s foundation, enabling it to serve as a venue for events and accommodate more visitors on the island simultaneously. Additionally, they are working on fundraising efforts to construct a protective barrier made of corrugated steel to shield the structure from the river’s turbulent waters.
Historically, the United States was home to about 1,500 lighthouses at the dawn of the 20th century, but only around 800 of these maritime beacons still exist today, as reported by the U.S. Lighthouse Society.