The future home of the Gay Head Light in Aquinnah will be about 190 feet inland from the westernmost tip of the Island.
More Coverage of Lighthouse Move
For almost 160 years, the Gay Head Light has stood at the westernmost part of Martha's Vineyard, a familiar and often beloved icon. But the clay cliffs underneath the lighthouse have proven less enduring, with erosion slowly bringing the lighthouse closer to the edge. This spring, after more than two years of planning and preparation, the 400-ton, 51-foot-tall lighthouse will be moved about 129 feet to a new location.
As part of the Gay Head Light summer solstice celebration, William Waterway will be reading from and signing copies of his new book Gay Head Lighthouse.
Len Butler has mostly stayed out of politics during his 43 years as a Gay Header. But as Aquinnah looks at moving the Gay Head Light, he stands out as a quiet leader in the ongoing effort.
A level-funded budget, a possible name change for State Road and a major spending request for the relocation of the Gay Head Light will come before Aquinnah voters at their annual town meeting Tuesday night.
It will mark the last annual town meeting on the Vineyard this year.
The Aquinnah selectmen voted to hire International Chimney to relocate the lighthouse. The Buffalo, N.Y., company was the sole bidder and is already known on the Island, where it moved the Schifter home on Chappaquiddick last summer
The current Gay Head Lighthouse has been standing sentinel on the clay cliffs of Aquinnah since 1856. It is now in danger and it desperately needs the entire Island community to help save it.
With erosion eating away at the Gay Head Cliffs, a historian for the National Park Service recognized the urgency in transferring ownership to the town. The lighthouse will be moved sometime in the next year.
The town of Aquinnah moves one step closer to owning the Gay Head Light this week, submitting a comprehensive application for ownership after months of preparation.
The country music legend will come to the Vineyard this summer to play a benefit concert on July 1. Flatbread will donate the venue. Planning is still in the early stages.
