To mark the completion of the Tarrytown Lighthouse’s $3.4 million capital renovation, Westchester County Executive George Latimer held a ribbon-cutting ceremony May 23 at the light, unveiling the historic structure’s revamped, rehabilitated interior and exterior. This event also coincided with the 150th anniversary of the village of Sleepy Hollow, where the lighthouse is located
Said Latimer: “The Tarrytown Lighthouse is one of the most well-known landmarks in Westchester County, and it is the only lighthouse in the county. This capital project is another example of an existing destination that the county is restoring and refurbishing so that it can be enjoyed again by current and future residents. Having the lighthouse completed in time to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Sleepy Hollow is a great way to mark this historic occasion.”
This rehabilitation project is part of continued efforts to rebuild Westchester’s infrastructure to enhance the quality of life for those who call the county home. Similar projects include the total restoration of Memorial Field in Mount Vernon, the Miller House in North White Plains, a new Family Court building in New Rochelle, the rehab of the Sprain Ridge Pools in Yonkers, historic investment in Playland Park in Rye and other infrastructure like roads and bridges county-wide.
The restoration of the lighthouse, which has not yet reopened to the public, included exterior repairs and repainting, addressing caisson cracks, window and door replacement, cleaning and re-pointing of the foundation masonry, refurbishing of the interior plaster and painting finishes, restoring the wood floors, reconstruction of the intermediate landing between the bridge and gangway, a new security gate on the mainland and new electric exterior lighting.
The Tarrytown Light, which was built in 1883, is a “sparkplug” lighthouse, whose superstructure rests on concrete and metal caisson. The capital project restored the lighthouse to its original and most authentic rendition, which is from the time period between 1937 and ’76, when it was still in active service and its physical exterior was what it is now. The Tarrytown Lighthouse was built in response to pleas by local steamship companies for assistance in navigating dangerous shoals. It’s the only conical steel structure in Westchester to include living quarters for its keepers. Once the Tappan Zee Bridge, now the Gov. Mario M. Cuomo Bridge, was built, the lighthouse was considered obsolete and taken out of service in 1961.
