Aquinnah voters will be asked to set aside money for repairs to Gay Head Light, new town vehicles and the town’s grant writer at this week’s special town meeting. 

On Friday the lights went dark at the Gay Head lighthouse as the town began a six-month renovation project to fix its curtain wall, lantern deck and replace the existing lantern with an LED bulb.

Beneath the Gay Head Lighthouse Sunday, Islanders celebrated the life of late Aquinnah resident Len Butler, known to many as “the man who moved the lighthouse.”

Aquinnah officials say the town stands to gain hundreds of thousands of dollars from offshore wind energy developers that are required to mitigate the effects of offshore wind farms on Aquinnah Circle and Gay Head Light.

Standing at the top of the Gay Head Light you can see for miles, a 360-degree view of the Atlantic Ocean, Noman’s Land, the Elizabeth islands, fishing boats trawling the waters, tourists below looking out at the same view.

The town of Aquinnah will receive nearly $50,000 from the state to complete a walking path that connects the shops at the cliffs with the lighthouse overlook

Since the opening of the original wooden Gay Head Light in 1799, no keeper has served longer than Richard Skidmore.

Keepers of the Light, a documentary about the Gay Head Light, will be shown by American Public Television on public stations nationwide.

We learn from Samuel Flanders, Esq., that a light house is to be erected at Gay Head the coming fall. It is to be located about five or six rods back of the present one. The light, at an altitude of 60 feet, will be seen by mariners over Noman’s Land, which will be of great service. A new dwelling house is also to be erected. An appropriation of $13,000 was made at the last session of Congress to cover the expense of constructing these buildings.

Keepers of the Light will premiere on WGBH 2 on Thursday, Nov. 15 at 9 p.m. and again on Nov. 17, 18 and 21. It will also appear on WGBX on Nov. 16, 17 and 18.