ABOUT
America's Oldest Lighthouse Tender
LILAC is a retired Coast Guard cutter that carried supplies to lighthouses and maintained buoys from 1933 to 1972. USCGC LILAC is America's only surviving steam-powered lighthouse tender and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
LILAC is a museum ship owned and operated by the non-profit Lilac Preservation Project and is open for tours, exhibits and events while undergoing restoration.
Founded in 2003, the Lilac Preservation Project is a non-profit educational foundation. Its Board of Trustees and Museum Director are ably assisted by a non-voting Council of Advisors. Our leadership is made up of mariners, historians and professionals dedicated to bringing life to America's last steam-powered lighthouse tender.
You can help by volunteering, making a donation, or coming by and learning more about the ship and maritime history.
LILAC in the news
The New York Times documented a joyful waterfront wedding reception on board LILAC in A Voyage That Is Finally Complete
Kindergartners visit LILAC every year to learn about the job of a tender from Captain Mary
Columbia Magazine profiled LILAC’s Museum Director
LILAC went to Staten Island in November 2020 and the trip was covered by Tugster and Tribeca Trib
Leaders of Lilac Preservation Project were honored by the National Maritime Historical Society at its 2020 virtual gala and with a special award in 2013
Riveting news in Sea History magazine reported on LILAC’s 87th birthday during COVID-19
Kindergartners from PS 234 learn about lighthouse and buoy tending during spring field trips
The launch of Captain Mary's Story Hour captured the attention of the New York Times
View a beautiful photo essay by Tony Larsen on the Tribeca Citizen blog
$9.99 with Dave Evans featured LILAC in season 10, episode 8, Get Educated