New York Lighthouse Close to Collapsing Gets Major Recognition

A lighthouse on New York's Hudson River that's at risk of collapsing has just been designated as one of the most endangered historic places in the United States.

The 150-year-old Hudson-Athens Lighthouse has been designated as one of the 11 most endangered historic places in the United States according to the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The designation was made official on Wednesday and local officials are hoping the designation will raise awareness and lead to renewed efforts to save the lighthouse from collapsing into the Hudson River according to WTEN.

Hudson River Lighthouse Could Collapse Soon

Over the last few years, many local officials have warned that the lighthouse which was built between 1872 and 1874 was at risk of collapsing in a few years because of erosion along the Hudson River that has been caused unintentionally by large commercial ships that travel on the river. Engineers have made it clear that if the repairs mentioned above aren't done as soon as possible the building could be at risk of collapsing within three years.

Hudson-Athens Lighthouse Project

The Hudson-Athens Lighthouse Restoration project has been underway for a few years now and over the last few years has received two $500,000 grants since 2021 to help restore the aging lighthouse. The grants will help with repairs to the lighthouse including the foundation design, interior basement wall repairs, replacement of timber frame for the cast-iron bell, asbestos and coal removal, as well as electrical upgrades according to the Daily Gazette.

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The lighthouse continues to serve as a navigation aid, helping commercial and private vessels safely navigate the Hudson River. It's also a museum that is open to the public and offers visitors the opportunity to learn about lightkeepers and their families who lived in the building until the 1940s. The Hudson-Athens Lighthouse project has also announced they plan to celebrate 150 years with a huge event on June 1st with a first-of-its-kind boat parade and much more.