The historic Fresnel lens that once sat atop the Gay Head Light will not be moved to Aquinnah, the Martha’s Vineyard Museum confirmed this week.

Aquinnah resident Michael Stutz initiated discussions with the museum last year about possibly moving the lens from Edgartown to Aquinnah when the museum relocates to the former marine hospital in Vineyard Haven. Despite the museum’s lack of interest at the time, voters at the annual town meeting in May agreed to formally invite the museum to return the lens to a spot near the lighthouse.

On June 21 this year the museum board voted formally not to relocate the lens to Aquinnah.

Board chairman Stever Aubrey notified the Aquinnah selectmen of the decision in a July 11 letter.

Museum executive director Phil Wallis said this week that returning the lens to Aquinnah was off the table, mostly as a result of Coast Guard requirements that he said were out of his hands. But he added that the museum remains committed to preserving both the Gay Head Light and the culture of Aquinnah, and that a replica lens, or even another original, might someday reside at the Cliffs.

“I continue to try to figure out a way to interpret that Fresnel technology, and work closely with the residents and community to figure out how to honor that,” he said. “It’s an important part of our Island.”

The museum acquired the lens in 1952 and considers it the centerpiece of its collection. The lens now sits atop a miniature brick lighthouse on the museum’s Edgartown campus.

Mr. Stutz said he would likely take another stab at the request with a public petition.

“I’m hoping that the museum board of directors will reconsider,” he said.