Hudson River Lighthouses
The Hudson River was once home to dozens of lighthouses and lights. Today - only seven remain (eight if you count the Statue of Liberty, which yes, was a lighthouse from 1886 to 1902!). To learn more about the remaining lighthouses, their histories and keepers, and how to visit them, visit www.hudsonriverlighthouses.org.
As part of the RiverWise project, the Hudson River Maritime Museum will be creating a series of documentary films about Hudson River Lighthouses, including each of the remaining lighthouses. We are fundraising to support these documentary films. Any amount you can give is greatly appreciated.
As part of the RiverWise project, the Hudson River Maritime Museum will be creating a series of documentary films about Hudson River Lighthouses, including each of the remaining lighthouses. We are fundraising to support these documentary films. Any amount you can give is greatly appreciated.
Films
Of the dozens of lighthouses and lights that once dotted the Hudson River, only seven remain. This iconic American river, at the heart of the rise of New York City and westward expansion into the interior of the continent, was also a transportation super highway long before automobiles were invented. Throughout it all, the lighthouses kept watch, guarding the safety of the Hudson’s waterborne traffic.
But no comprehensive history of these lighthouses exists. Until now.
The idea for this film has grown out of decades of Hudson River lighthouse interpretation, including research, exhibits, articles, short films, presentations, and the book.
Together with filmmaker Jeff Mertz of Moonbow Imaging, the Hudson River Maritime Museum is creating a feature-length documentary film: “Seven Sentinels: Lighthouses of the Hudson River.” This beautifully shot film will place the lighthouses in historic context, tell the fascinating stories of the buildings themselves and their keepers, and outline how these seven have survived to the present day, and how to preserve them for generations to come.
But no comprehensive history of these lighthouses exists. Until now.
The idea for this film has grown out of decades of Hudson River lighthouse interpretation, including research, exhibits, articles, short films, presentations, and the book.
Together with filmmaker Jeff Mertz of Moonbow Imaging, the Hudson River Maritime Museum is creating a feature-length documentary film: “Seven Sentinels: Lighthouses of the Hudson River.” This beautifully shot film will place the lighthouses in historic context, tell the fascinating stories of the buildings themselves and their keepers, and outline how these seven have survived to the present day, and how to preserve them for generations to come.
Approximately forty years ago, these remaining lighthouses were in grave danger. Watch the ABC News documentary below for an idea of the uphill battle Hudson Valley residents have fought to save them:
Today, the remaining lighthouses have been fully or partially restored and you can visit most of them for guided tours (once reopened to the public). here to edit.
For some history of the Saugerties Lighthouse, check out this documentary film:
For some history of the Saugerties Lighthouse, check out this documentary film:
And from the North Hudson Voyage, a little tour of the exterior of the Hudson-Athens Lighthouse.
Lectures
In 2017, HRMM Director of Education Sarah Wassberg Johnson discussed the roles of female lighthouse keepers and women who grew up in lighthouses on the Hudson River, with special emphasis on Catherine Murdock, keeper of the Rondout Lighthouse for over 50 years.
In 2018, Hudson River Maritime Museum volunteer and Lighthouse docent Frank Almquist gave a lecture at the museum, "Lighting the Lighthouse." The history of lighthouse lighting was discussed from the earliest “fire on a hill” to new LED light sources in a tower. The talk concentrated on the Fresnel lens, its developed in the 1850s, and its implementation around the globe as the primary lighthouse tool to project light beams across the water. Growth of electric lighting eliminated the flame based lamps using the Fresnel lens. The lighthouse today is historical artifact, used but not required due to current navigation technology.
Books
In June, 2019 the Hudson River Maritime Museum published the book Hudson River Lighthouses with Arcadia Publishing's Images of America imprint. Chock full of photos and maps, it is the first book to fully catalog all of the Hudson River lighthouses and stake lights.
"Hudson River Lighthouses" is available on Amazon and wherever books are sold. All proceeds benefit the Hudson River Maritime Museum.
We'll be updating this pages frequently in the coming weeks with video interviews and tours of the Hudson-Athens, Saugerties, and Rondout Lighthouses, so keep your eyes peeled!
