Officials Celebrate Reopening Of Montauk Lighthouse After $44M Project

MONTAUK, NY — Elected officials gathered recently to celebrate the completion of a project that will keep the iconic Montauk Lighthouse safe for generations.

New York State Governor Kathy Hochul, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers New York District, the Montauk Historical Society, and others celebrated the reopening Wednesday of the newly restored Montauk Point Lighthouse — and the completion of a major coastal resiliency project to protect the historic lighthouse.

The Lighthouse underwent an extensive multi-year renovation and will now be significantly protected from waves and coastal storms due to a new stone revetment that will prevent erosion and degradation of the site, Hochul said.

"Extreme storms can have a devastating impact on so many communities and resources, especially here at the coastal Montauk Lighthouse complex," Hochul said. "New York State is proud to complete this project with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to implement this critical shoreline resiliency project so that the beautifully renovated lighthouse buildings and grounds are protected and enjoyed for generations to come."

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, or USACE, coastal storm damage risk management project included the reconstruction of approximately 1,000 linear feet of stone revetment, including removal and reuse of existing armor stones, and delivery and placement of new armor stones weighing anywhere between 10 to 20 tons apiece. The project is designed to protect the historic Montauk Point lighthouse, complex, bluff area and associated cultural resources by stabilizing the site and protecting it from future coastal storms.

The cost of the overall effort to restore and protect the historical landmark was approximately $44 million, which included the award of a construction contract to H&L Contracting of Bay Shore in 2021.

The project was cost shared between USACE and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. DEC allocated $15.4 million in NY Works funding as the project's non-federal sponsor, Hochul explained. The local sponsor, the Montauk Historical Society, will maintain the site for continued use as a tourism attraction and educational center.

The Montauk Point Lighthouse is the oldest lighthouse in New York State, authorized in 1792 by the Second Congress under President George Washington. Construction was completed in November 1796, and it was designated a National Historic Landmark on March 5, 2012. The lighthouse is on the federal and state registers of historic places.

The Montauk Point Lighthouse was built about 300 feet from the original edge of the bluff, which became increasingly less stable over the years, leaving it extremely vulnerable to coastal storm erosion and significant damage.

Concerned Citizens for Montauk Chairman David Freudenthal lauded the improvements. "CCOM, as the leading environmental organization in Montauk for the past 53 years, thanks Governor Hochul for drawing public attention to the urgent risk faced by our vulnerable shoreline in the face of climate change and sea level rise."

In addition to the completion of the shoreline stabilization work, the Montauk Historical Society completed $2 million in renovations to the historic lighthouse and keeper’s residence. The lighthouse restoration work was undertaken concurrent with the revetment work and supported by more than $435,000 in New York State funding.

The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation awarded a $313,500 historic preservation grant and Empire State Development awarded a $125,000 Capital Grant, recommended by the Long Island Regional Economic Development Council in support of the Montauk Point Lighthouse.

The funding, from the Environmental Protection Fund through the Regional Economic Development Council, addressed damage to the lighthouse tower’s stone façade and secured the long-term structural integrity of the historic structure.

Additional private funds were secured by the Montauk Historical Society to help support the restoration of the 1796 lighthouse tower, 1860 keeper’s residence, and the newly refurbished Oceans Institute, a museum focusing on the health of the ocean. Among the new features is an interactive virtual aquarium that is filled with local sea creatures, from scallops to whales.

"With the reopening of the renovated Montauk Point Lighthouse, a beacon of history and culture on Long Island illuminates once more. New York State takes great pride in providing a place where families, history enthusiasts, and cultural explorers can come together and create cherished memories that will shine far into the future," Empire State Development Board Chairman Kevin Law said.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer added: "We have come a long way since 1796, and so has the historic Montauk Point Lighthouse. It was slipping ever closer to the Atlantic’s waters, but with urgent federal funds and construction complete, the shoreline protections needed to keep this beacon of Long Island pride and tourism shining for years to come have been restored."

New York State Senator Anthony Palumbo also reflected. "The Montauk lighthouse is an important symbol of the region's maritime history and a beacon for the East End's tourism and fishing industries. I applaud the efforts of our state and federal partners in protecting and preserving this historic landmark for future generations of New Yorkers and for visitors from around the world."

Assemblymember Fred W. Thiele Jr. added: "The Montauk Lighthouse has been the iconic symbol of Long Island for generations. The completion of this revetment project will ensure the integrity of this historic beacon for future residents and visitors to enjoy."

Thiele added that he was pleased to play a role in the public/private partnership that made the project possible by passing needed legislation many years ago in the state legislature.

East Hampton Town Supervisor Peter Van Scoyoc also spoke about the improvements. "The Montauk Lighthouse, where the sun first rises on New York State, is not only an iconic symbol for New York but is a cherished landmark in the Town of East Hampton, representing a part of our nautical history stemming back to the early days of our nation. Thanks to major federal and New York State funding, and the efforts of the Montauk Historical Society, the Army Corps of Engineers, and the contractors who completed this massive project of restoring the stone revetment that protects it, the lighthouse will be here for generations to come."

Montauk Historical Society President Joseph Gaviola said the Montauk Historical Society was grateful to all involved for the new revetment to protect the Montauk Lighthouse.

"This is seminal, multi-generational work and a wonderful example of a public/private partnership that worked to preserve Long Island’s historic and iconic structure. As stewards of the oldest lighthouse in New York, a National Historic Landmark commissioned by George Washington, this is a dream come true," he said.