Little Red Lighthouse Gets $13 Million Restoration

Historic House Trust, New York City Parks, and Henson Architecture will restore the landmark in Fort Washington Park.

Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in National Parks

A small red cast-iron lighthouse on a rocky riverbank, with a distant suspension bridge fading into soft haze over the Hudson River. — The Historic House Trust, New York City Parks, and Henson Architecture will spend $13 million restoring the Little Red Lighthouse in Fort Washington Park to repair water and corrosion damage. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The Historic House Trust of New York City, New York City Parks, and Henson Architecture will restore the Little Red Lighthouse at a cost of $13 million. The project aims to make the lighthouse more accessible to visitors.

Why it matters

Water infiltration and corrosion of the lighthouse's cast-iron materials have deteriorated the structure over time. The restoration seeks to preserve its historic character while improving access for the public in New York City.

The restoration is budgeted at $13 million, and the lighthouse currently accommodates 300 visitors a day. The project is expected to take at least three years, and the exact scope of the capacity increase has not been finalized.

The players

Historic House Trust of New York City

A New York City organization that works to preserve and steward the city's historic houses and landmarks.

New York City Parks

The municipal agency responsible for managing the city's parks, playgrounds, and public green spaces.

Henson Architecture

An architecture firm contracted to lead the design and restoration work on the Little Red Lighthouse.

The details

The restoration will keep the lighthouse's historic soul and aesthetic while repairing its deterioration. The project will also improve safety for larger groups and create a bigger area for visitors with mobility disabilities.

The lighthouse was first built in the 1800s in Sandy Hook, New Jersey.
It was moved to its current Fort Washington Park location in 1921.
The George Washington Bridge opened in 1931, making the lighthouse obsolete.
The Coast Guard initially planned to sell the lighthouse in 1948.
The restoration is expected to take at least three years.

Roadmap

The Little Red Lighthouse lost its navigational purpose when the George Washington Bridge opened in 1931, and the Coast Guard even planned to sell it in 1948. This restoration reframes the structure as a public destination rather than a working aid to navigation.

Visitors planning a trip to the Little Red Lighthouse should expect the site to undergo construction over the next three years or more. Groups should check ahead, since the lighthouse currently accommodates about 300 people a day and the project aims to expand that capacity.

The takeaway

The Little Red Lighthouse shows how a structure can outlive its original purpose and find a new role as a public landmark. Visitors interested in its history can plan around the coming construction period.