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Gay Head Lighthouse in Aquinnah, moments before being re-lit following move from eroding cliff.
AQUINNAH – The Gay Head Lighthouse on the far western edge of Martha’s Vineyard has been a beacon of safety for mariners for more than 160 years.
The iconic light in Aquinnah resumed that mission Tuesday as it was re-lit following a structure-saving 185-foot move away from a quickly eroding cliff.
The Save the Gay Head Lighthouse Committee raised more than $3 million for the move. The re-lighting ceremony ended the longest period of darkness in the history of the beacon.
“The real complexity in this project was the planning, the permitting, the contracting and most importantly, acquiring the ownership of this light,” said Gay Head Light Relocation Subcommittee Chairman Len Butler.
The Coast Guard will continue to operate the light, while the new foundation will own the structure.
CCB MEDIA PHOTO
The Gay Head Lighthouse stands in its new location away from an eroding cliff.
The Gay Head Lighthouse, listed as one of America’s Most Endangered Historic Places in 2013, was just 46 feet from falling into the Atlantic Ocean, before it was moved earlier this year.
The light was turned off on April 16 in preparation for the move.
“When people visit Gay Head Light, they are there for the view and the history,” said lighthouse keeper Richard Skidmore.
The Aquinnah Wampanoag Tribe worked with relocation committee to ensure there was minimal damage to their ancestral land.
“It has been amazing to see how the entire Aquinnah community, tribe and town, as well as all of the island community came together for a common purpose to preserve an important part of our island’s history,” said Tribal Chairman Tobias Vanderhoop.
A lighthouse has stood watch at Aquinnah since 1799. The current brick structure was built in 1854.
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