Gay Head Lighthouse’s original first order Fresnel lens, on display at the Martha’s Vineyard Museum, 2/17/2024. (See my previous post for photos of the lighthouse itself.)

Photo 1: The lens — beautifully displayed.
Photo 2: The lens from the lower floor, with the clockwork mechanism visible.
Photo 3: The much smaller electric light that replaced the original Fresnel lens, and remained in use until 1989, when it was replaced by the current optic.

The museum includes an exhibit about the 2015 project that moved the Gay Head Light away from the eroding clay cliffs, as well as lots of other Vineyard-related exhibits. Neat museum, beautiful building and grounds.

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Edgartown Harbor Lighthouse, 2/17/2024. This was our third stop on our Martha’s Vineyard trip last year. This cast iron lighthouse was originally built in 1881 and served as a rear range light on Crane’s Beach in Ipswich, Massachusetts, but was dismantled and moved to Edgartown Harbor when the hurricane of 1938 destroyed the lighthouse that had stood there since 1828. Today, it is managed by the Martha’s Vineyard Museum, and while still an active aid to navigation, it is the centerpiece of a Children’s Memorial to remember and honor children from around the world who have passed: the children’s names are carved in granite cobblestones that are placed into the foundation of the lighthouse. It is a very accessible lighthouse that, in the warmer seasons, is open for tours. We visited in the heart of the off season, so we were able to admire it from the outside only. The pictures don’t do it justice: it is an incredibly beautiful spot.
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