Manhattans only lighthouse, made famous in childrens book, to get $13M facelift

Quick, let your light shine again!Manhattan’s only remaining lighthouse — made famous in an 84-year-old children’s book — is finally being treated to a $13 million facelift.The 146-year-old Jeffrey’s Hook lighthouse beneath the George Washington Bridge, better known as the “Little Red Lighthouse,” will be restored to its former glory as part of the “once-in-a-generation” makeover, the Historic House Trust announced this month.“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 Trust.“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,” Fiore added.

“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.” The city-owned lighthouse will get a full restoration that includes reworking the prefabricated cast-iron components riveted together in the structure’s innards, the Trust said.The project will also make it easier for visitors to walk inside the living time machine and climb the winding staircase to the lantern room.There will also be upgrades to boost accessibility for disabled visitors, new safety features and new signage.The goal is to make the tiny but mighty lighthouse look like it did when it was first brought to the Hudson River spot.It’s not clear how long the city-funded $13 million project will take, but visitors have been warned that the only way to view the historic landmark will be through a virtual 3D experience for the foreseeable future.As part of the project, the Trust is asking members of the public to share memories of the landmark through its “Letters to the Lighthouse” campaign.“The Little Red Lighthouse has inspired generations to look a little closer at the h...