Last October, we wrote about the Hudson-Athens Lighthouse’s $7.5 million restoration project on the occasion of its 150th anniversary. When a barge struck the historic lighthouse on April 30, damaging the structure’s stairway and access dock, it threatened to halt a years-long restoration effort just as it was gaining momentum.
But the community responded swiftly—with action fueled by heart, heritage, and a shared sense of responsibility. Among the first to act was Keith Flinton of KTF Dock Worx. The moment he heard about the collision, he felt a personal connection—his father had built and donated the original dock to the lighthouse decades ago. “I knew I had to do something,” Flinton says. In a moving tribute to his father’s legacy, he offered to build and donate a temporary dock, free of charge.
The barge that hit the lighthouse was operated by Carver Marine Towing, which took responsibility for retrieving the damaged dock from the river and delivering it to Flinton’s workshop earlier last week. Using it as a pattern, Flinton worked quickly to fabricate the temporary replacement.
In a feat of goodwill and collaboration, the new dock was installed on Thursday, May 8, just a week after the collision. The temporary dock was floatetd to the lighthouse where it was assembed by a team including Flinton, the Hudson Power Boat Association, AG Construction, and the Hudson-Athens Lighthouse Preservation Society (HALPS). The temporary dock restores crucial access so that preservation work can resume, though plans for a permanent dock are still in the works.
Divers have already completed an underwater inspection to assess potential foundation damage. The information gathered will be combined with additional assessments and data collected over the past five years to create a more accurate picture of the damage.
The US Army Corps of Engineers has signed on to help fix the foundation, comprised of 200 wooden pilings, so HALPS is in the process of visioning, strategic planning, and fundraising for the restoration of the house itself and the future museum.
An additional project includes constructing a “curtain wall” to surround the lighthouse and protect it from future damage caused by boat traffic.
The Hudson-Athens Lighthouse, which has stood sentinel at the meeting point of Greene and Columbia counties since 1874, remains a symbol of shared heritage and resilience. Now, with the help of generous local businesses and volunteers, its restoration efforts continue.
“This isn’t just a project—it’s a living story of care, community, and continuity,” says Van Calhoun of the Lighthouse Restoration Committee. “Thanks to Keith, and everyone pitching in, we’re still on course.”
You can contribute or learn more about the project at HALPS.org.
