Manhattan’s Little Red Lighthouse is getting a makeover
Photo by Pfgelfan on Wikimedia
The Historic House Trust of New York City this week announced plans to restore the Little Red Lighthouse, a landmark in Washington Heights made famous by the 1942 children’s book “The Little Red Lighthouse and the Great Gray Bridge” by Hildegarde H. Swift. Originally built in 1880 in New Jersey, the 40-foot structure moved to Fort Washington Park in 1921. After more than a century on the Hudson River, the lighthouse, the last remaining in Manhattan, is getting a renovation that will preserve its historic cast-iron architecture while improving accessibility and the surrounding park space.
The lighthouse was constructed on Sandy Hook in 1880, where “it used a 1,000-pound fog signal and flashing red light to guide ships through the night,” according to the city’s Parks Department. After being dismantled, the lighthouse, known then as Jeffrey’s Hook Lighthouse, was reconstructed by the U.S. Coast Guard and moved to Fort Washington Park in 1921.
When the George Washington Bridge opened a decade later, the bridge’s bright lights made the lighthouse obsolete, and the Coast Guard decommissioned it in 1947. The structure was nearly demolished, but fans of “The Little Red Lighthouse and the Great Gray Bridge” stepped in to save the lighthouse. The 1942 story follows the construction of the massive bridge that towers over the small lighthouse, focusing on the idea that small things can also be important.
The ownership was transferred from the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey to the city’s Parks Department in 1951. The lighthouse was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1979 and is a member of the Historic House Trust.
Preservation architecture firm Henson Architecture is leading the project, which will restore the “historic fabric” of the lighthouse, make it more accessible, upgrade safety features, improve signage, and enhance the surrounding parkland.
The project also aims to make the landmark more open to the public. Currently, access is limited to tours with the Parks’ Urban Park Rangers and during the annual Little Red Lighthouse Festival.
According to a press release, an initial $13 million investment will move the design process forward, but no timeline or total cost was announced.
“This beloved landmark tells a uniquely New York story: one of purpose, reinvention, and the power of people to influence change,” Giulietta Fiore, executive director of the Historic House Trust, said.
“Relocated to the banks of the Hudson more than a century ago, the Little Red Lighthouse has become a symbol of our city’s history, imagination, and resilience. It is my hope that generations to come will look upon this little lighthouse, find their own meaning in its story, and see it standing tall amid an ever-changing city.”
This year’s festival takes place on Saturday, October 3, from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. The event will include readings of the children’s book, live music, and activities for all. Tours of the lighthouse will be limited to the first 200 attendees, so get there early if you want to take a look inside.
“The Little Red Lighthouse is a unique and irreplaceable piece of the landscape of Fort Washington Park and the story of the Hudson River,” Merritt Birnbaum, president & CEO of Riverside Park Conservancy, said.
“We’re thrilled to see this beloved landmark restored for the delight of future generations, and we’re excited to welcome New Yorkers to join us for more free programs like the annual Little Red Lighthouse Festival.”
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