Fire Island Lighthouse open, but 'a lot of unknowns' persist

Dozens of people, from international visitors to local school groups, visited the Fire Island Lighthouse on Wednesday, which remained open despite the government shutdown.

The lighthouse is owned by the National Parks Service yet operated by the nonprofit Fire Island Lighthouse Preservation Society.

It is unclear if the lighthouse is to remain open as the shutdown continues, and the society and volunteers are taking things day by day.

"Right now we have no concrete guidance on how our nonprofit can operate going forward," society executive director Jonathon Gaare said. "So a lot of unknowns right now. We’re hoping to remain open for the public and the visitors and the school groups that have been all excited all summer to come."

Unlike the grounds of the William Floyd Estate, it is on open parkland and more difficult to keep visitors out.

Volunteers and staff were unsure Tuesday night if the lighthouse would open the following day.

Gaare said he did not know of the service’s decision until a meeting Wednesday morning. The society has paid staff but heavily relies on about 100 federal volunteers who dedicate their time to guests each day.

Staff would not be affected by furloughs, but federal volunteers would, Gaare said.

The lighthouse last shut its doors during the 2018 entire government shutdown for 35 days. Each year, lighthouse staff hold their breath at the threat of a shutdown.

The lighthouse receives about 500 visitors per weekday and 1,000 on weekend days, Gaare said.

On Wednesday afternoon, staff discussed how to organize two upcoming fundraisers if the lighthouse is forced to close.

The events include a walking lantern tour on Friday and one of the lighthouse’s biggest fundraisers, Light-Haus Keeper's Craft Tasting on Oct. 11, which sold out in six minutes after tickets became available, Gaare said.

The nonprofit relies on donations to operate the lighthouse and hopes the shutdown will not affect fundraising.

"We’ll get through this shutdown," Gaare said .”We hope to keep going strong after that, and we need all of the support we can get."

Janeen Mitchell, of upstate Warwick, 61, had taken a walk with a friend to the lighthouse from their vacation house in Saltaire on Wednesday.

They were unsure if it was open for the season but happy to learn it was open year-round and despite the government shutdown.

“I’m glad that the Democrats are sticking together and not giving in,” Mitchell said. “The threat to health care and the increase in premiums for people because of funding the government is too much to accept."

The recently retired fifth grade teacher said at the same time she feels bad for federal workers and hopes a compromise comes sooner rather than later.

“I love nature, and I've been to many national parks, and already what's happening to the National Park Service. All the defunding of the National Park Service is criminal,” Mitchell said. “I’m just really disgusted by what’s going on in the country right now.”