27TH ANNUAL LITTLE RED LIGHTHOUSE FESTIVAL: TOURS, BOOK READINGS, MUSIC, AND MUCH MORE

27TH ANNUAL LITTLE RED LIGHTHOUSE FESTIVAL: TOURS, BOOK READINGS, MUSIC, AND MUCH MORE

DATE:                        Saturday, October 5, 2019

TIME:                          12:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

LOCATION:               Little Red Lighthouse

Fort Washington Park

W 178 St. & the Hudson River

MANHATTAN

DETAILS:                   Celebrate Manhattan’s only remaining lighthouse, located in picturesque Fort Washington Park on the Hudson River, with free activities that highlight the tiny beacon’s history and preservation. The annual Little Red Lighthouse Festival features readings of the eponymous children’s book, fishing clinics, live music, food and art vendors, Urban Park Ranger presentations, and free activities for all ages.

The Jeffrey’s Hook Lighthouse, erected in 1880 and later moved to its current site in 1921, is Manhattan’s only lighthouse. The 40-foot-high structure is known as the Little Red Lighthouse thanks to the beloved 1942 children’s book, The Little Red Lighthouse and the Great Gray Bridge by Hildegarde Swift. The lighthouse was slated for demolition after the Coast Guard decommissioned it in 1948. Hearing this news, thousands of children who had loved the book started a nationwide campaign to save the Little Red Lighthouse. Today the icon is celebrated as a reminder of our city’s history and the lesson of the book—that even small things can be important.

This event is presented by NYC Parks and Summer on the Hudson. The Little Red Lighthouse is owned by the City of New York under the jurisdiction of NYC Parks and is a member of the Historic House Trust of NYC.