Boy Scout Joseph Luft rebuilds steps on Vanderbilt Museum Trail

Northport Boy Scout Joseph Luft rebuilt the steps on a steep trail at the Suffolk County Vanderbilt Museum as part of his project to become an Eagle Scout.

Joseph, a junior at Northport High School and member of Troop 41, reconstructed the hill and the steps leading from the Wishing Well Garden at the Vanderbilt Mansion down to the boathouse on the waterfront. He said the process taught him a lot about how to organize fundraisers and write professional-sounding emails.

“I also learned something about time management and how strong a community Northport is when it comes to people supporting each other,” he added.

Jim Munson, the Vanderbilt’s operations supervisor, said the old steps had begun to fail and became a safety concern. Joseph noticed the deterioration on a Troop 41 trip to the museum in 2020 and decided he wanted to make the trail his Eagle project, Munson said.

“We’re grateful to Joe for his important contribution to the Vanderbilt,” said Elizabeth Wayland-Morgan, the museum’s executive director. “The rebuilt hill, steps, and trail are crucial not only to the beauty and accessibility of the estate grounds, but also to the enjoyment and safety of visitors who hike the trail.”

Joseph chose the project because he loves hiking, and started planning it a year ago. He began work on the trail in August with assistance from his family and troop, and thanked “14 incredible scouts” for both their fundraising efforts and helping him complete the trail.

“The most surprising aspect of the project,” Joseph said, “was how willing people were to lend a hand whenever I needed help or volunteers. Whether it was purchasing supplies or scrubbing down cars, someone was always there with me to help make sure it was done right. The people at the Vanderbilt were incredibly flexible with timing and with occasionally lending us one of their golf carts to haul tools.”

Joseph, who is about to complete the Eagle Scout requirements, said it felt “amazing” to finish the project: “It was a huge weight lifted off my shoulders, a lot of stress and work. But the project was finally done and all I could do was sit back and look at everything accomplished with a smile.”