National Lighthouse Museum Presents the 11th Annual Lightkeeper’s Gala

 lighthousemuseum.org/events

Staten Island, NY—The National Lighthouse Museum is located on the site of the US Light House Service General Depot. Partnering with government agencies, non-profits, and corporations promote historical, educational, and recreational activities at the site, and maintain the navigational and maritime heritage of lighthouses worldwide. Through donations from events, the National Lighthouse museum preserves and documents historical and technological objects of lighthouses in the US and maintain an archive of artifacts related to lighthouses.

The National Lighthouse Museum will host the 11th Annual Lightkeeper’s Gala, taking place at the recently renovated Historic Pavilion on the Terrace (est. 1835) on Saturday, August 7th, 2021. As the main event of the gala, The National Lighthouse Museum is proud to present the Wind in Our Sails Award in memory of Betsy Dubovsky, Founding Executive Director of the Staten Island Foundation; the Past Light Keeper Award in memory of Ole Anderson, past Light Keeper of the Twin Lights; the Lighthouse Research Award to Thomas Tag for his continual commitment, dedication, and community service to the National Lighthouse Museum and lighthouses nationwide; and the Community Lamplighter Award to Pam Silvestri, Food Editor for the Staten Island Advance, for her support and dedication to the National Lighthouse Museum and her help in founding Fig Fest.

Betsy Dubovsky’s career was dedicated to the not-for-profit community. Dubovsky was the Executive Director of the Staten Island Foundation from 1998 – 2021. The Staten Island Foundation, whose efforts focus on promoting equity and improving health, education, the arts and community programs, has been an invaluable supporter of the National Lighthouse Museum. Dubovsky was the recipient of numerous awards and honors throughout her service, and in 2013 was awarded the degree of Doctor of Humane Letters, honoris causa, by the College of Staten Island in recognition of her Island-wide impact. Dubovksy’s husband will receive the award in her memory.

Ole Anderson was the Light Keeper of the Twin Lights from 1903 – 1928. He started as the 1st Assistant and was later promoted to Principal Lighthouse Keeper in 1917. The Twin Lights (est. 1862), located in New Jersey, overlooks Sandy Hook and the New York skyline, and is a significant part of New York maritime history. Anderson’s career as a Light Keeper started in 1898 as the 2nd Assistant at the Statue of Liberty, and he was transferred and promoted in 1899 to Principal Lighthouse Keeper at Orient Point in Suffolk, NY. Anderson’s family will receive the award in his memory.

Thomas Tag has been involved with lighthouse research for 20-plus years. He has done scholarly research concerning lighthouses and has written numerous technical articles, including articles for The Keeper’s Log. Tag is the Technical Advisor to the United States Lighthouse Society and serves on their Board of Directors, and is chair of the American Lighthouse Council Artifacts & Technical Advisory Panel. Tag is a holder of the Ross Holland Award from the American Lighthouse Council.

Pam Silvestri is a successful journalist and Food Editor for the Staten Island Advance. She is one of the founders of Fig Fest, which is a gathering of local fig growers and fig aficionados. Fig Fest has become an anticipated annual event at the museum, and is an integral part of the museum’s fundraising efforts. Silvestri is one of the founders of Uncorked! Food & Wine Festival, an event hosted by Historic Richmond Town, and has an award named in her honor as part of the annual event.

Tickets are on sale for $200 per guest. To purchase tickets or to become a journal sponsor, please visit https://lighthousemuseum.org/events/. For more information on the museum, volunteer opportunities, donations or our lighthouse artifacts please contact Linda Dianto our executive director.