Assembly Resolution No. 2177

BY: M. of A. Barrett

COMMEMORATING the 150th Anniversary of the
Hudson-Athens Lighthouse

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize and
pay tribute to those organizations of high purpose and worthy
accomplishment whose endeavors have faithfully served the welfare of the
citizens of the State of New York; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commemorate the Hudson-Athens Lighthouse upon the occasion of
celebrating its 150th Anniversary on Saturday, June 1, 2024; and

WHEREAS, In the Hudson River lies Middle Ground Flats, a large
sandbar that historically divided the river for nearly two miles,
wreaking havoc on unsuspecting steamboats, cargo ships, tugboats, and
other commercial and recreational vessels; and

WHEREAS, To warn mariners of the danger, after much petitioning to
the United States Congress, an appropriation of $35,000 to begin
construction on the Hudson City Light, now known as the Hudson-Athens
Lighthouse, was approved in 1872; its inaugural oil lamp was lighted by
the first lightkeeper, Henry Best, in 1874; and

WHEREAS, The Hudson-Athens Lighthouse is in the center of the Hudson
River, accessible only by boat and equidistant from the City of Hudson
and the Village of Athens; it is one of seven remaining lighthouses on
the Hudson River and one of two remaining lighthouses surrounded by
water; and

WHEREAS, The eight-room Hudson-Athens Lighthouse is an engineering
marvel with its northern corner shaped like a ship's prow to deflect ice
floes and its granite foundation blocks resting on 200 wooden pilings
driven 50 feet into the riverbed, packed with protective mud, and held
in place by huge boulder rip rap; this shining icon is documented by
nine architectural drawings in the Library of Congress; and

WHEREAS, The United States Coast Guard automated the Hudson-Athens
Lighthouse's lamp in 1949, eliminating lightkeepers and ending building
maintenance; and

WHEREAS, Over the decades, neglect, weather, and river conditions
have taken a toll on the Hudson-Athens Lighthouse; it now faces an
existential threat from unintended damage caused by commercial vessels
passing in the nearby navigation channel which is maintained by the
United States Army Corps of Engineers; and

WHEREAS, In 1982, a small group of citizens formed the nonprofit
Hudson-Athens Lighthouse Preservation Society with the mission to save
the lighthouse and share its rich history, leasing it in 1984 from the
United States Coast Guard and receiving ownership in 2000; and

WHEREAS, The Hudson-Athens Lighthouse is now an active, chartered
New York State museum and is listed on the New York State and National
Registers of Historic Places; and

WHEREAS, The Hudson-Athens Lighthouse continues to be enjoyed by the
community, providing popular tours for school children, residents, and
visitors from near and far; and

WHEREAS, On May 1, 2024, the National Trust for Historic
Preservation designated the Hudson-Athens Lighthouse as one of 11 Most
Endangered Places because of the imminent threat to the lighthouse as
well as its historic value and multi-faceted role in the identities of
its communities, the region, and the State of New York; and

WHEREAS, Together with individual, local, state, and federal
partners, the Hudson-Athens Lighthouse Preservation Society is
relentlessly working to secure necessary funds to preserve, restore, and
protect the Hudson-Athens Lighthouse, from the riverbed to its tower
light, for another 100 years; and

WHEREAS, On June 1, 2024, a Hudson River flotilla of more than 100
vessels of all shapes, sizes, and purposes will mark the 150th
Anniversary of the Hudson-Athens Lighthouse and launch a summer of
celebratory activities and events; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when
individuals and organizations of such noble aims and accomplishments are
brought to our attention, they should be celebrated and recognized by
all the citizens of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 150th Anniversary of the Hudson-Athens Lighthouse; and
be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the Hudson-Athens Lighthouse Preservation Society.