News Release

Historic Preservation Work to Begin January 22 at Fire Island Lighthouse

Date: January 19, 2018
Contact: Kelly Fellner, 631-687-4759
Contact: Dave Griese, 631-321-7028

Patchogue, NY - A project to complete historic preservation and annual maintenance at the Fire Island Lighthouse will begin on Monday, January 22. Facilities at the lighthouse, including the tower and museum, will be closed to the public from January 22 to February 2, 2018 while work is underway. The nature trail and beaches will be accessible during the two-week period.

"Just like past lighthouse keepers who manned Fire Island Lighthouse from 1826 to 1973, preserving and maintaining the 160 year old present lighthouse takes constant work," said Dave Griese, Executive Director of the Fire Island Lighthouse Preservation Society. 

The National Park Service and Fire Island Lighthouse Preservation Society will work together to complete necessary preservation and annual maintenance projects including the continued restoration of the tower steps and watch room ladder, refinishing the floors in the keepers quarters museum and gift shop, and installation of new displays in the lens building. 

In 2017, the southwest corner of the Fire Island Lighthouse terrace, undermined in 2012 during Hurricane Sandy was rehabilitated and the lighthouse tower landing under the copper flooring was rebuilt. In both cases the work demanded preserving and placing the original materials of stone or copper in exact position to preserve the architectural history. National Park Service Preservation Specialist Dennis Mott, who oversaw the terrace project, is looking forward to, "devoting two full weeks of uninterrupted time roll up our sleeves and work on the tower interior step by step." An insider perspective on historic preservation will be shared via social media while the project is underway. You can follow the progress on Facebook 
Facebook @FireIslandLH or @FireIslandNPS.


The Fire Island Lighthouse is operated by the Fire Island Lighthouse Preservation Society under a cooperative agreement with the National Park Service and dedicates annually over $50,000 on preservation projects and 21,000 volunteer hours. The site offers exhibits, a nature trail, and interpretive and curriculum-based programs. The lighthouse is located on the west end of Fire Island National Seashore and is accessible year-round by car. Parking is available at Robert Moses State Park in parking field #5. For more information on visiting the lighthouse please contact 631-661-4876.