Photos courtesy of Richard Lewin Professional Photography (soniboy@aol.com)
The Montauk Historical Society (MHS) gave a cocktail party on July 14th to launch a public capital campaign for the Montauk Point Lighthouse restoration. Work on restoring the tower began in 2019, and is scheduled to be completed by next year.
Hosted by Gurney’s Star Island, the party celebrated important donors who, together, have contributed over $1.5 million towards repairing the 225-year-old tower and the 161-year-old Keeper’s Residence, which houses the Lighthouse Museum.
Nick Racanelli, chairman of the MHS capital campaign committee, thanked major benefactors: the Robert David Lion Gardiner Foundation, lead corporate sponsor Northwell Health, Dime Community Bank, Bank United, United Genmar, M&T Bank, McBride Consulting & Business Development Group, Forchelli Deegan Terrana, Wilmington Trust, Installations Specialty Group, Uihlein’s Marina, and the Andrew Sabin Family Foundation. He also recognized generous individual donations, including a major gift from Sarah and Maurice Iudicone, and important contributions from Dick White, the Gilmartin Family, and Lauren & Peter Feld. The New York State Office of Parks & Empire State Development Program, which provided an early and important grant, was gratefully acknowledged.
Kathryn Curran, executive director of the Gardiner Foundation, acknowledged her Foundation’s pleasure in awarding such an important grant to the lighthouse project, and Steve Bello, Eastern Region Executive Director of Northwell Health explained how the safety and comfort provided by the Montauk Point Lighthouse echoes the goals of Northwell Health.
Getting into the spirit of the fundraising, Andy Sabin offered a $100,000 challenge grant, saying he would match any new pledges made that evening up to a total of $100,000. This was immediately taken up by Sarah and Maurice Iudicone, who added to their already sizable gift; Karen Legotte Langdon, who made a significant donation; and several other generous attendees.
The Montauk Point Lighthouse is owned by the Montauk Historical Society, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, which funds its maintenance and improvement through entry tickets, gift-shop sales, grants, and generous donations.
