After sitting dark for two and a half months, the red and white beacon inside the Gay Head Light shone again Tuesday night, illuminating the cliffs of Aquinnah. The iconic lighthouse had been moved 120 feet back from an eroding cliff face in May, and last night's ceremony under a tent next to the lighthouse marked the end of an island-wide effort to save it.
It was weather tailor-made for a lighthouse -- blustery winds, driving rain and poor visibility. Local dignitaries and many of those who helped coordinate the move huddled in rain gear under a tent, its sides flapping in the wind as torrents of rain beat down.
Former Aquinnah Selectmen Beverly Wright, one of the key organizers of the move to save the lighthouse, addressed the crowd.
“Somewhere along the way, the phrase ‘the little town that could’ has become our mantra. And now, we are ‘the little town that did,’” she said.
Len Butler was Construction Coordinator for the project. He said that since the move in May, workers have been busy shoring up the lighthouse’s new foundation, and grading the new site.
“We created this beautiful stone wall, which is a re-creation of the original stone wall here from 1860, all from material that was excavated here from the site during the relocation,” said Butler.
Butler says he’s glad to see this day finally arrive.
“I'm very gratified for all the efforts that have culminated in this momentous day when the lighthouse will realize its true purpose-to be an aid to navigation,” said Butler.
Derril Bazzy from Aquinnah was part of the team that designed new landscaping around the lighthouse’s new location. He said they relied on a number of historic resources to do the job.
“The other really amazing thing about seeing this happen was that it happened with all Island support. It wasn't just Aquinnah,” said Bazzy.
Right next to the tent, the 400-ton red brick structure stood atop its new foundation, a giant red ribbon tied around its base. Just after 6 PM, the ribbon was cut, and the re-lighting countdown began.
Len Butler flipped a switch, and the familiar red and white beacon came back to life, to the delight of everyone present.
After a lifesaving move away from the edge, and secure at its new home, the Gay Head Light finally got back to work last night. And many a mariner was breathing a little easier.