Gay lighthouse

On November 7, 1799 the light was turned on for the first time.

Gayhead, October 25, 1805

Sir: Clay and Oker of different colours from which this place derived its name ascend in a Sheet of wind pened by the high Clifts and catch on the light House Glass, which often requires cleaning on the outside – tedious service in cold weather, and additional to what is necessary in any other part of the Massachusetts.

In 1844, the tower was moved back from the edge of the eroding bluff about seventy-five feet, but the much-needed new lighthouse and dwelling for Gay Head were not provided until after the formation of the Lighthouse Board in 1852.

Early in the nineteenth century, the tower at Gay Head was lowered fourteen feet to reduce the probability of its light being obscured in fog.

Here we were surprised by a unique and splendid spectacle. Ebenezer Skiff, the first European to live in the town of Gay Head, made the inaugural lighting of the spider lamp inside the tower’s lantern room on November 18, 1799. The lighthouse came to rest atop its new foundation at 11:10 a.m. Richard and Joan became the Keepers for the Martha’s Vineyard Museum, and during President Barack Obama’s 2009 vacation on the island he and his family were given a personal tour of the lighthouse by Joan LeLacheur.

On April 8th, 2010 keeper Skidmore entered the Lighthouse grounds and found 40 feet of split rail fence missing.

The Spring of water in the edge of the Clift is not sufficient. Where damage from water seepage was found it was repaired.
Also, the interior stairway landings were childproofed by the addition of historically accurate balusters again fabricated and installed by ViewPoint.

Care for this venerable monument will proceed, as there is approximately one-million dollars of structural and historical renovation needed for long-term preservation of the tower.

Between 1986 and 1990, various Assistant Keepers were appointed by the light’s Principal Keeper, William Waterway Marks, including the appointment of Charles Vanderhoop, Jr., son of Charles W. Vanderhoop, Sr. (Gay Head Light Principal Keeper 1930-33).

Keeper Charles Vanderhoop, Jr. became renown for his lighthouse tours with island school children.

Public tours resumed under the direction of the Martha’s Vineyard Museum shortly thereafter. As in other similar lighthouse removal projects, the United States Coast Guard would dismantle or raze the existing lighthouse and, if deemed necessary, replace the light with a low-maintenance iron spindle structure top-mounted with a strobe light.

The three threatened lights on Martha’s Vineyard were saved through the objecting federal petition and Congressional testimony of Vineyard Environmental Research Institute (VERI) founding President William Waterway Marks, and VERI Chairperson John F.

Bitzer, Jr.  In 1984, VERI received the support of Senator Ted Kennedy and Congressman Gerry Studds during and after the Congressional hearings to save the three island lighthouses from being dismantled and/or razed.

The keepers gathered a crew of Indians to reach the steamer using a lifeboat kept at the station. There is no well of water on the premises. This lighthouse license gave complete control over the management and maintenance of Gay Head Light structure (except the aid to navigation) and its surrounding grounds.

After the building was completed, Paul Revere provided some copper and tin used to augment the weatherproofing of the Light.

In 1844, the octagonal wooden light tower was moved back 75 feet from the eroding clay cliffs by John Mayhew of Edgartown at a cost of $386.87. Before being shipped to the United States, the Fresnel lens commissioned for the Gay Head Light was exhibited at the 1855 Paris Exhibition of Industry, and won first-prize.

In 1986 lighthouse tours and public lighthouse sunset gatherings once again became available to the community and visiting tourists. All 6 Island Towns had contributed substantial funds to the move effort, and there was  $350,000 in grant monies. Truly, it was an Island-wide effort.

Preparation of the site for the move began, and by May 28th International Chimney and Expert House Movers were ready to move the 400 ton brick Light.

By May 30th, 2015 the Light was 134 feet from where it had been built, its safety assured for well over 100 years.

On August 11th, 2015, Gay Head Light was re-lit at its new location.