[title]
Even a beloved children’s book character needs a little maintenance after 146 years. The Little Red Lighthouse, the pint-size Washington Heights landmark tucked beneath the George Washington Bridge, is getting a restoration backed by an initial $13 million investment from the city.
The Historic House Trust of New York City has announced plans to preserve the lighthouse’s historic cast-iron structure, improve accessibility and spruce up the surrounding stretch of Fort Washington Park. Preservation firm Henson Architecture is leading the design, with plans to make Manhattan’s only remaining historic lighthouse easier to visit and explore.
At just 40 feet tall, the lighthouse has spent more than a century holding its own beside some considerably larger infrastructure. Originally built in Sandy Hook, New Jersey, in 1880, it was relocated to Jeffrey’s Hook on the Hudson River in 1921. Ten years later, the George Washington Bridge opened overhead, eventually making the lighthouse’s navigational work redundant.
The Coast Guard decommissioned it in 1947 and the little tower faced demolition. Fortunately, it had an unusually devoted fan base: readers of Hildegarde H. Swift and Lynd Ward’s 1942 children’s book, The Little Red Lighthouse and the Great Gray Bridge. Their campaign helped save the structure, which became city park property in 1951.
Now, its next chapter includes upgraded safety features, better signage and connections from public transportation, improvements for visitors with disabilities and more opportunities for free public tours. The project also calls for historical and artistic interpretation, plus enhancements to nearby parkland and recreational areas.
“This beloved landmark tells a uniquely New York story: one of purpose, reinvention, and the power of people to influence change,” said Giulietta Fiore, executive director of the Historic House Trust.
Before you start plotting a grand reopening visit, a few details are still to come. Design is underway, but the announcement does not include a construction schedule, completion date or total project cost. The $13 million is an initial investment and the trust is seeking additional support to expand landscape improvements and the visitor experience.
In the meantime, you can explore the lighthouse through a new virtual 3D experience. The trust is also collecting personal memories through its “Letters to the Lighthouse” campaign, inviting New Yorkers to help document the landmark’s place in city life.