NYSPL Announces 2020-2021 Seven to Save

This morning, the Preservation League of New York State announced its 2020-2021 list of Seven to Save. Of greatest interest and importance, for us here in Hudson, is the inclusion of the Hudson-Athens Lighthouse.

The press release from the Preservation League includes this information:

Hudson-Athens Lighthouse

Threat: Deterioration, lack of public awareness, loss of visual/architectural integrity

The National Register-listed Hudson-Athens Lighthouse was constructed in 1874 and is one of only seven remaining Hudson River lighthouses (of the original 14). While the US Coast Guard maintains the light, the nonprofit Hudson-Athens Lighthouse Preservation Society stewards and maintains the structure. Many think the Coast Guard has building maintenance responsibility beyond the light, presenting fundraising challenges for the nonprofit, which has completed some building stabilization projects. After almost 150 years of providing direction, the lighthouse suffers from deterioration and its caretakers need additional visibility to spotlight its importance and unique preservation challenges. This Seven to Save designation will bring increased attention, awareness, and assistance to the lighthouse, so that the Lighthouse Preservation Society can preserve the building for years to come.

"We are delighted with the designation of the Hudson-Athens Lighthouse as one of the Seven to Save by the Preservation League of NYS," said Carol Gans, President, Hudson-Athens Lighthouse Preservation Society. "This recognition will be a big boost to our efforts to build awareness of the need for structural repairs, new volunteers and new donors for the future of the Lighthouse. Our objective is to build on this icon's role in the history of our communities by giving it a new and more connected role for today and the future."

Since 1999, the Preservation League has highlighted New York's threatened historic sites through the Seven to Save list. The sites included on the list receive enhanced services from the League to bolster visibility and build support for preservation. Threats to dozens of at-risk buildings, landscapes, downtowns, and neighborhoods have been reduced and in many cases eliminated by the Preservation League's listing and subsequent actions.

In addition to the Hudson-Athens Lighthouse, the 2020-2021 list of Seven to Save includes:

• New York State Barge Canal System  Threat: Development pressure, lack of public awareness, loss of visual/architectural integrity

• Richard Lippold's Orpheus and Apollo, New York City Threat: Development pressure, lack of public awareness

• Central Technical High School, Syracuse Threat: Deterioration, development pressure, lack of public awareness, loss of visual/architectural integrity, vacancy

• Parrott Hall, Geneva Threat: Demolition, deterioration, loss of visual/architectural integrity, vacancy

• Elmhurst African American Burial Ground, Queens Threat: Development pressure, lack of public awareness

• Sag Harbor Hills, Azurest & Ninevah Subdivisions, Sag Harbor Threat: Demolition, deterioration, development pressure, lack of public awareness, loss of visual/architectural integrity, vacancy

Jay DiLorenzo, Preservation League president, said of the designations, "Our 2020-21 Seven to Save list helps tell the story of the many people who made our state unique. A sacred burial ground, a vulnerable lighthouse, a re-imagined high school, a susceptible beachside enclave, an iconic canal system, a para-architectural installation, an imperiled research center; each site speaks to what makes our state special."

More information about the seven sites can be found here.