Letters from the Lighthouse, Vol. 3

Photography by David Oliver

Summer has arrived on the Hudson River, and with it, one of the most exciting seasons at the Lighthouse. As we prepare to welcome visitors back for tours and community events, we're also looking ahead to Magic on the River on August 2.

This month brings exciting news about the preservation of the lighthouse! Thanks to Governor Kathy Hochul, NYS Senator Michelle Hinchey, Assemblymember Didi Barrett, and the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation, the 2026 NYS budget includes $375,000 for the US Army Corps of Engineers to conduct a Feasibility Study. This study will produce the design for the 100-year fix of installing a sea wall around the lighthouse. We are so much closer to protecting the Lighthouse for generations to come. Thank you, New York State!

In this month’s blog:

👋 Meet HALPS Board Member Kathleen Tan and learn why she's excited about this year's Magic on the River fundraiser

🗣️ Join a community conversation about the future of the lighthouse at Waterfront Wednesdays on July 15th

🎟️ Reserve your tickets for Magic on the River this August

⚓️ Saturday tours are back! Learn more below and save the date for our upcoming tours

📌 If you haven’t already, take our quick survey about the content you want us to share

Lighthouse Lover: Kathleen Tan

This month, we're featuring HALPS Board Member Kathleen Tan, the driving force behind this year's Magic on the River fundraiser. Kathleen shares how she became involved with HALPS and why community events play such an important role in preserving the Lighthouse.

How did you become involved with HALPS?

Growing up in Manila, I was always fascinated by lighthouses. Finding Hudson and discovering it had a lighthouse was actually a happy accident. In 2018, Kristin Gamble invited me to get involved, and after moving here full-time during the pandemic, I became even more active with HALPS.

How do events like Magic on the River help people connect with the Lighthouse?

The Lighthouse is one of only seven remaining lighthouses on the Hudson River and one of just two located directly in the water.

Our goal isn't only to preserve this historic landmark but to continue bringing the Hudson and Athens communities together through the guiding light it represents.

In a time when people often feel divided, I hope events like Magic on the River help strengthen community connections and inspire future generations to become stewards of these places we all cherish.

What can attendees look forward to this year?

We chose a circus theme to create a fun and memorable experience for everyone. Guests will enjoy live entertainment, great food, specialty cocktails, and plenty of opportunities to connect with neighbors and friends while supporting the Lighthouse.

A Tale of Two Lighthouses

Join us at Henry Hudson Riverfront Park for Waterfront Wednesdays on July 15, from 5 - 7 PM. We’re hosting a special conversation about the future of the Hudson-Athens Lighthouse.

As we begin our strategic planning process, we're inviting community members to share what the Lighthouse means to them and what they hope to see in the years ahead.

Your ideas and experiences will help shape our priorities for preservation, education, and community engagement. Our goal is to ensure the voices of our community serve as a guiding light for the Lighthouse's future.

Saturday Tours Are Back for the Season

This year's tours will take place on July 11 (free of cost), July 25, August 8, August 22, September 12, September 26, October 10, and October 24. Visitors will travel to the Lighthouse aboard boats operated by our transportation partner, Catskill Charters, and enjoy guided tours of one of the Hudson River's most iconic landmarks.

To provide a more personal experience, tours will be offered in smaller groups with departures scheduled throughout the morning, giving visitors more time to explore the Lighthouse and connect with our volunteer guides.

Online ticket reservations will open in July, so stay tuned for additional details and booking information.

Thank you for being part of our lighthouse community.