Sarah Trafton is reporting for Columbia-Greene Media the Hudson-Athens Lighthouse has been named to the Preservation League of New York State's 2020-21 Seven to Save list. Built in 1874, the Hudson-Athens Lighthouse was one of 14 original Hudson River lighthouses, of which seven remain. Its existence is now threatened by deterioration, a lack of public awareness and a loss of visual and architectural integrity, according to a report released by the league. The lighthouse structure is maintained by the nonprofit Hudson-Athens Lighthouse Preservation Society, while the U.S. Coast Guard maintains the actual light. “We are delighted with the designation of the Hudson-Athens Lighthouse as one of the Seven to Save by the Preservation League of New York State,” Hudson-Athens Lighthouse Preservation Society President Carol Gans said. Decades of exposure to the elements have taken their toll on the lighthouse, Gans said. Other sites to make the list include the state’s barge canal system, Richard Lippold’s Orpheus and Apollo in New York County, Central Technical High School in Syracuse, Parrot Hall in Geneva, Elmhurst African American Burial Ground in Elmhurst and Sag Harbor Hills Azurest and Ninevah Subdivisions in Sag Harbor. Gans hopes the designation will bring new awareness of the lighthouse, as it embarks on the next phase of its restoration. She said next on the agenda is to conduct a new underwater study to check on the condition of the pilings that were replaced 11 years ago and then restore the rip-rap to protect the pilings. The lighthouse will be open to the public for tours in 2020 on July 11, August 8, September 12 and October 12. Read the full story at HudsonValley360 [dot] com.