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The Lighthouse Digest has added the 1874 Hudson-Athens Lighthouse to the Lighthouse Digest Doomsday List, underscoring the urgency to protect and preserve this historic structure during its 150th anniversary in 2024.
Sadly, both the Lighthouse Digest and the National Trust for Historic Preservation have added the Hudson-Athens Lighthouse to their most Endangered Lists.
“The Hudson-Athens Lighthouse has stood tall in the middle of one of America’s great rivers for over a century. We hope that including this iconic beacon on the list of America’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places will help keep it standing for generations to come. With more investment and support, the inspiring people working to keep the Hudson-Athens Lighthouse open will be able to protect this iconic landmark and restore the building to its full potential,” said Carol Quillen, President and CEO of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
Built in 1874 in the middle of the Hudson River between the City of Hudson and the Village of Athens, the Hudson-Athens Lighthouse is rich in its maritime history of the region and its pivotal role in guiding vessels during the westward expansion era through the Erie Canal. The lighthouse, with its distinctive architectural features, has served as a beacon of navigation and a symbol of resilience for 15 decades.
Despite its historical importance, the Hudson-Athens Lighthouse faces imminent threats mostly due to unintended damage caused by enormous commercial vessels using the close-by navigation channel maintained by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Erosion caused by ever larger and deeper commercial ships traveling the Hudson River, as well as ice floes, tides, and currents, has significantly damaged the 200 underwater wood pilings that support the lighthouse, and engineering reports indicate the building is at risk of collapse within three years, if no action is taken.
An estimated $7.5 million in funding is needed to stabilize the pilings and address preservation needs.
This prompts its inclusion to these important lists to raise awareness and mobilize efforts to safeguard this cultural treasure for future generations.
“This designation is a call to action for us to come together and ensure the lighthouse’s continued existence so that it survives and thrives for future generations. As we commemorate the 150th anniversary of the lighthouse, we are committed to preserving this historic gem and unlocking its potential as a vibrant community space and educational resource. We are so grateful for this much-needed attention.” said Kristin Gamble, President of the Hudson-Athens Lighthouse Preservation Society.
The lighthouse is one of fourteen lighthouses on the Hudson River, only seven remain today. The Hudson-Athens Lighthouse is one of only two surviving middle-of-the-river lighthouses in the Hudson River. The Hudson-Athens Lighthouse Preservation Society (HALPS) took over ownership of the lighthouse from the U.S. Coast Guard in 2000. In 2023, the lighthouse, which is a museum, was interpreted to look as if it might have looked in the 1940s when the last civilian lightkeeper lived there. Emil Brunner kept the lighthouse there along with his wife and four of his children from 1932-1949.
In celebration of the lighthouse’s 150th anniversary, the Hudson-Athens Lighthouse Preservation Society, in collaboration with local community stakeholders, envisions a future where the lighthouse becomes a dynamic hub for experiential education and community engagement.
The Hudson-Athens Lighthouse is a museum and an active aid to navigation. Plans include transforming the lighthouse into an interactive space that not only educates visitors about its storied past but also serves as a platform for community events and cultural activities.
Donations can be made to the HALPS, P.O. Box 145, Athens, NY 12015. www.halps.org (518)828-5294.
This story appeared in the
May/Jun 2024 edition of Lighthouse Digest Magazine. The print edition contains more stories than our internet edition, and each story generally contains more photographs - often many more - in the print edition. For subscription information about the print edition, click here.
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