Powering the (Holiday) Lights
Photo by Jonathan Simons
While the most vital part of the Hudson-Athens Lighthouse is undoubtedly its navigation beacon, there is another set of lighthouse lights that Columbia and Greene County residents cherish. Thanks to ongoing financial support from the Bank of Greene County, the Hudson-Athens Lighthouse Preservation Society has decorated the Lighthouse with string lights every holiday season for the past 20 years. The decorative trim and electric candles set in each window make the Lighthouse look like a gingerbread house in the middle of the Hudson River.
Photo by Joe Keneally
Until recently, these lights were powered by an underwater electric cable that ran from the Athens shore to the Lighthouse. The cable, installed way back in 1946, provided general electricity for the Lighthouse, helped operate the two TVs HALPS uses during tours, and ran the all-important composting toilet. Unfortunately, in September of 2019, the cable malfunctioned. Without electricity, HALPS could not host tours, exhibit TV programs about the life of Emily Brunner (the daughter of the last civilian lighthouse keeper), or light the interior for cleaning projects. The navigation beacon, the only part of the lighthouse maintained by the U.S. Coast Guard, was unaffected. The flashing green light is independently powered by a small solar panel and rechargeable batteries.
Photo by Joe Keneally
The cable failure jeopardized HALPS’ ability to provide public access to the Lighthouse, a big issue as HALPS is funded mainly by tour proceeds and donations! At the time of the failure, HALPS still had two public tours left in its fall season and the holiday lights were all set up. Without scuba suits and a hefty amount of cash, HALPS was not going to be replacing the underwater cable anytime soon. In the short-term, HALPS volunteer Bill Palmer set up a small, portable gasoline-run generator to provide electricity for the tours. However, the holiday lights were still in limbo.
A team of HALPS volunteers interested in solar power started to research, talking to local solar businesses and electrical engineers, figuring out where the panels could be placed for low visual impact, and determining how much electricity would be required, even on the cloudiest days. The volunteers concluded that the south-facing side of the Lighthouse would be ideal. The solar panels would face downriver, as to not impact the views from either the Hudson or Athens side, and would not interfere with any existing docks or staircases.
Photo by Joe Keneally
The next phase was a race against the elements. As the Hudson River can freeze during the winter, HALPS brings its dock ashore to protect it from ice damage. Without a dock, and with dangerous, icy conditions for boating, the installation of the solar panels before the holiday season would be impossible. Thankfully, the solar batteries arrived before the ice could! The installation phase was underway.
With help from the Hudson Power Boat Association, HALPS volunteers carried three 150-pound solar batteries from the pontoon boat moored at the base of the Lighthouse and up to the first floor deck. Dollies, good gloves, and high spirits were required. Next, the solar panels were mounted on a railing overhanging the Hudson River. The new solar system was completed on November 22, 2019, just in time for the holiday season. Regarding the installation, volunteer and 35-year HALPS member Joe Kenneally wrote, “Six men went out to the lighthouse Saturday morning...eight hours later, six tired, hungry men returned happy, knowing the tradition of the Christmas lights on the river continues.”
The Hudson-Athens Lighthouse all lit up for the holidays
It’s hard to picture the icy river and the glowing Lighthouse in the middle of July, but we hope you come around this winter to see the Hudson-Athens Lighthouse in all of its holiday season glory.