Fire Island Lighthouse open despite shutdown, but tours canceled

The Fire Island National Seashore was closed this weekend due to the federal government shutdown, but hundreds of visitors were able to flock to the iconic lighthouse because it is operated by a private organization under an agreement with the National Park Service.

More than 300 visitors, drawn by balmy temperatures and mostly sunny skies, visited the lighthouse on Saturday, said David Griese, executive director of Fire Island Lighthouse Preservation Society.

“We are just as busy today,” Griese said Sunday.

The lighthouse gift shop was open during the weekend, and so were its restrooms — good news for visitors, since nearby National Park Service bathrooms were closed as a result of the government shutdown.

Tours of the lighthouse tower were canceled, however, because the volunteers who lead the tours are insured against accidents through government worker compensation.

“Some people are disappointed,” Griese said. “But a lot of people are thankful that we are able to be open on such a beautiful day.”

Mark Carl of West Babylon said he was frustrated in his plan to take a tour of the lighthouse tower with his wife, Melissa, daughter, Sophia, and 6-year-old granddaughter, Arianna. “We can always come back,” he said later, calling it an “inconvenience.”

Unrelated to the government shutdown, the tower and museum will be closed to visitors starting Monday, for about two weeks for annual upkeep.

By Feb. 2, workers will restore the tower steps and watch room ladder, as well as floors in the keepers’ quarters, museum and gift shop, officials said.

As a result of the shutdown, the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island were closed Saturday, but New York Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo said the state will open them Monday. Operating the sites will cost the state $65,000 a day, the governor’s office said.

Some National Park Service sites in other parts of the country were completely closed during the weekend, while others were able to accommodate visitors. Among the closed was Baltimore’s Fort McHenry, where a flag flying during the War of 1812 provided inspiration for the poem that became “The Star-Spangled Banner.”

Yosemite National Park in California shut down nonessential functions early Saturday, but the gates remained open, and so did its restaurants, retail outlets, lodging, shuttle buses and ice rink. In Arizona, Gov. Doug Ducey said the state will provide up to $100,000 to keep lodging, campgrounds and restaurants at Grand Canyon National Park open.