The Hudson-Athens Lighthouse Preservation Society

Restoration project battered by weather, currents, ice, dredging to accommodate larger & faster vessels and The wake from them, The hudson athens light-housLighthousese still stands as a navigational aid in The upper hudson valley of new york state. Built in 1874 after numerous boat groundings on middle ground flats, this distinctive second empire 4 bedroom home is in need of many different repairs with The major one being The restoration & protection of The foundation. Built on a base of 200 underwater wood pilings, The packing mud and protective boulders have been scoured away over The past 149 years. They are now exposed to oxygen and The elements making them vulnerable and weakened. The immediate problem is The house itself which now has water intrusion and other critical repairs that require prompt attention. A successful capital campaign to raise & match 180k of a 500k nys office of parks recreation & historic Preservation grant was launched this year and will continue into The future. An engineering firm has been engaged and halps is planning The necessary repairs and protective measures required to preserve The Lighthouse.

Holiday lights during The winter months, The Lighthouse is "decked out" with over 6000 led lights providing a wonderful sight for both visitors and residents on both sides of The hudson river this project is made possible by a generous grant from The bank of greene county community foundation.

Tours halps provides several opportunities for local residents & visitors alike to tour our historic Lighthouse. During The summer months, we have paid volunteer guided tours with boat transportation provided. We also have waterfront wednesdays & thursdays in hudson & athens, ny. There is no charge and people are transported out to The Lighthouse & allowed to do a self-guided tour. Then while our local schools are still in session, we take second grade classes from The hudson and coxsackie-athens school districts for fully guided tours. We are looking forward to additional school classes participating in this program in The future. Included in our income account "special events" are tour proceeds from some of our local high school reunion gatherings with a light-housLighthousese tour included. Many of our "locals" have never visited & are thrilled to have The opportunity to so. These tour opportunities allow people of all ages entree into The lives of hudson river lightkeepers & their families. There is complete access to The entire structure including on top The lantern room with surrounding deck giving everyone a 360 degree view of The hudson river & The majestic catskill mountains.

Restoration project