Letters from the Lighthouse, Vol. 1

Photography by David Oliver

As we head into a new season on the Hudson, we’re looking forward to sharing more regular updates with you. Our new Letters from the Lighthouse updates are designed to help us all stay connected throughout the year.

The Hudson-Athens Lighthouse has always been sustained by the people around it, including volunteers, supporters, and neighbors who care deeply about this beacon.

Read on for a spotlight on a member of our community, an update on our recent volunteers event, what we’ve been up to in the off-season, and a look at what’s ahead.

Lighthouse Lover: Loretta Stillman

Each month, we’ll highlight members of the HALPS community as our Lighthouse Lover of the month. You might think of it as a community beacon, recognizing those who help keep the Lighthouse going.

Our first spotlight features longtime volunteer Loretta Stillman.

What first inspired you to volunteer with HALPS?

Several years ago, I was lucky enough to go on one of the Lighthouse Saturday Tours. It was a fascinating and informative tour, but it wasn’t the tour that got me to volunteer. It was Carol Gans, sitting at a table on the shore. Carol is a past president of HALPS and an enthusiastic supporter of all things HALPS. Her devotion to the Lighthouse was contagious, and I signed on.

What experiences as a volunteer have felt the most rewarding or memorable?

The most rewarding part of being a volunteer is joining a community of dedicated, hard-working folks trying to save a treasured local icon. By volunteering, you get to learn about and experience the realities of everyday life in a 1930’s family Lighthouse. Even better, you get to pass on this experience to visitors who you hope will join the effort to restore and protect this beautiful and historic building.

How does the lighthouse help bring people together and build community?

Unlike many other historical structures, the Hudson-Athens Lighthouse is not a preserved stately home where you must stay behind the ropes. It isn’t a “look, but don’t touch” sort of place. It feels like the home of ordinary people, living ordinary lives in an extraordinary place. Local visitors passing through the Lighthouse feel that connection to their past and hopefully want to protect their heritage.

Volunteer Brunch & Learn

Earlier this month, we held a volunteer kickoff at The Spark of Hudson's Community Space, welcoming more than 30 attendees, including many new faces.

The morning included a shared brunch and an overview of the many ways to volunteer at the lighthouse this season. It takes captains, deckhands, shore hands, docents, event planners, grant writers, and others to keep the lighthouse alive!

Volunteers also heard from members of the HALPS community, including Kristin Gamble, who shared the vision for the season ahead; Van Calhoun, who provided a restoration update; and Bob Taylor, who spoke about mentoring future docents. Additional updates highlighted upcoming events, including Magic on the River on August 2.

It was a strong start to our season and a reminder of how much this work depends on people showing up for the Lighthouse and our community. 

We’re putting out a call for volunteers interested in learning about and supporting the grant-writing process. This is an area where your support can make a real difference.

If you’re interested in volunteering, simply respond to this email.

An Update on the Roof Restoration

Over the past year, we’ve completed critical restoration work, including the recent copper and slate roof restoration. This work helps protect the structure and extend its lifespan as we continue planning for larger stabilization efforts ahead. The film Another 150 Years: The Hudson-Athens Lighthouse, by Spencer Thielman, shares more.

Hear from the skilled craftsmen leading the project:

“I grew up in the Hudson Valley and was always drawn to the river—but I never thought I’d end up helping preserve one of its landmarks. The work we’ve done here will outlast us, and that’s a pretty amazing feeling.”

— Scott Larson, Hudson Valley, New York

Scott also attended our recent volunteer event, which inspired him to support our community as a boat volunteer this season.

Looking Ahead: Strategic Planning

This spring, HALPS is beginning its first strategic planning process.

Our work will focus on setting clear priorities for the next several years for how we approach preservation and on strengthening the Lighthouse’s role as a cultural and community resource. We are grateful to Hudson River Bank & Trust Foundation for making this dream possible!

We’ll share updates as this process moves forward.

Thank you for being part of this community.