Imagine another Hudson River lighthouse collapsing and disappearing. Our beloved Hudson-Athens Lighthouse (HAL) became operational in 1874 and is one of the 7 remaining lighthouses of the original 14 along the Hudson River.

If work does not commence soon to repair and protect HAL's foundation immediately, engineers forecast that within five years, the building will likely begin to tilt towards collapse. An engineering marvel, the lighthouse is supported by 200 underwater wooden pilings, driven 50 feet into the riverbed, and safeguarded by packing mud and large boulders (rip rap). Yet, the relentless, destructive forces of river currents, tides, and weather scoured away some of the protective mud and rip rap.  Recently, this process has alarmingly accelerated as every day larger, wider and faster commercial vessels within a hundred yards of HAL displace huge amounts of water that slam into the pilings and then recede, scouring away still more protective mud and rip rap. 

THE SITUATION IS DIRE!! 

Loss of the historic, educational, maritime and aesthetic values the lighthouse embodies is unthinkable!  It must be preserved for future generations.

HAL is also an important part of the identity of its communities, the Upper Hudson River region, and New York State. It's the iconic southern benchmark of New York State's new Hudson Eagles State Recreation Area. The small, volunteer-based nonprofit Hudson-Athens Lighthouse Preservation Society (HALPS) owns HAL as a NYS chartered museum and provides a robust and diverse public service mission.

The US Coast Guard light in HAL's tower is a working and necessary navigation aid warning against the shallows of Middle Ground Flats.

Consequently, the region's six federal and state legislators have banded together to collaboratively pursue $7.5 million in federal funding to repair, restore and protect HAL's underwater foundation for at least the next hundred years.

HALPS has obtained bipartisan support from Senators Chuck Schumer, Kristin Gillibrand, Representative Marc Molinaro, State Senator Michelle Hinchey, Assembly Members Didi Barrett and Chris Tague.  

WE NEED YOUR HELP TO REMIND YOUR ELECTED OFFICIALS OF THEIR PLEDGES AND TO TELL THEM THAT YOU FULLY SUPPORT HAL'S PRESERVATION. 

SIGN THIS PETITION TO SHOW YOUR SUPPORT AND WE WILL SEND IT TO THE LEGISLATORS.

Next year will be HAL's 150th year.  We hope that HAL will remain for another 150 years! We need to gather at least 1,000 signatures or more.

The Hudson-Athens Lighthouse is listed on both the national and state registries of historic places, a NYS chartered museum, distinguished as one of Seven to Save by the Preservation League of New York State, and “one of the country’s boldest. . . and most beautiful lighthouses” by Architectural Digest.

The future depends on what we do today.

Help us save HAL!  Sign the petition today.

Thank you for your support!