The Edgartown Harbor Lighthouse stands at the entrance of Edgartown Harbor on Martha’s Vineyard, marking the channel into one of the great whaling ports of 19th-century America. The current 45-foot cast-iron tower has a remarkable provenance: originally built in 1881 as the Ipswich Rear Range Light at Crane Beach, it was dismantled, floated by barge nearly 80 miles to Edgartown in 1939, and re-erected on the foundation of its predecessor — which had been destroyed in the Great Hurricane of 1938. Since 2001, the tower has also served as the Martha’s Vineyard Children’s Lighthouse Memorial.
History of Edgartown Harbor Lighthouse
Martha’s Vineyard, like nearby Nantucket, developed a thriving whaling industry in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Between them, the two islands owned roughly a quarter of America’s whaling fleet by the time of the Revolution, and by the 1820s more than 100 Edgartown men were captains of whaling ships. On May 23, 1828, Congress appropriated $5,500 to build a pier and lighthouse at the Point of Flats, the entrance to Edgartown Harbor. A few weeks later, the federal government purchased the building site from Seth Vincent for $80, and contractor Mr. Bowker — working under the well-known Boston lighthouse contractor Winslow Lewis — erected the first tower: a two-story Cape Cod-style wooden dwelling with a side-gabled roof and a lantern room centered on top, with three rooms on the first floor and two on the second. The structure was built on wooden pilings about a quarter mile from shore, on what amounted to a small man-made island.
The first keeper, Jeremiah Pease, lit the lamp in 1828 and would serve in two separate stints (1828–1841 and 1843–1849), as political patronage often dictated lighthouse appointments. As a Democrat, Pease was replaced when the Whig Party held power and reinstated when the Democrats returned. For the lighthouse’s first two years, Pease and visitors had to row across a short stretch of water to reach the tower. In 1830, Congress appropriated funds to construct a wooden causeway with a walkway on top, eventually known by the colorful nickname “the Bridge of Sighs.” This wooden bridge was replaced in 1847 by a more durable rap-and-stone causeway. After the keeper’s house was damaged by fire in 1856, it was rebuilt and the light was upgraded to a fourth-order Fresnel lens.
By 1931, principal keeper Henry L. Thomas had transferred to Edgartown after a dozen years at Cape Poge Light on nearby Chappaquiddick. Despite a century of repairs and improvements, the original lighthouse’s days were numbered. On September 21, 1938, the Great Hurricane — one of the most destructive storms in New England history — struck the island with gusts up to 100 mph, destroying the waterfronts at Menemsha and Edgartown, knocking out island-wide power, and severing communication with the mainland. The lighthouse and its causeway were both severely damaged, and the structure was closed to public access.
When the U.S. Coast Guard took over administration of the nation’s lighthouses in 1939, it initially planned to demolish the damaged Edgartown structure and replace it with a prefabricated steel skeleton tower. Town residents rallied against the idea. As a compromise, the Coast Guard dismantled the disused 1881 cast-iron Ipswich Rear Range Light at Crane Beach (today part of the Crane Estate, owned by The Trustees of Reservations), removed its brick lining, and floated the tower by barge to Edgartown. The relocated 45-foot conical tower was re-erected on the original Edgartown foundation and lit for the first time on June 16, 1939, with an automated red light flashing every six seconds. With automation came the end of resident keepers and a 50-year period during which the lighthouse was closed to public access.
The Coast Guard refurbished the tower in 1985, and in 1990 a solar-powered modern plastic optic replaced earlier lighting. In August 1991, Hurricane Bob caused severe damage to the rap-and-stone causeway leading to the lighthouse; the Vineyard Environmental Research Institute (VERI) raised funds from property owners abutting Lighthouse Pond to restore it. In 1994, the Coast Guard granted a 30-year lease to the Martha’s Vineyard Historical Society (now the Martha’s Vineyard Museum), which restored public access. In 2001, the Martha’s Vineyard Children’s Lighthouse Memorial was established at the site, with stones engraved with the names of children who have passed away and the poem “A Remembrance of an Unforgotten Vineyard Summer” by Thomas Napoleon. In 2007, with funding from the town through the Community Preservation Act, a major renovation added new windows and an interior spiral staircase — before then, the only way to climb the tower was via a 40-foot ladder.
On June 15, 1987, Edgartown Harbor Light was added to the National Register of Historic Places (part of the Lighthouses of Massachusetts thematic submission). In May 2011, the Coast Guard declared the lighthouse no longer critical to its mission. The Town of Edgartown applied for ownership in January 2013 under the National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act, and in January 2014, the town officially took possession for the symbolic sum of one dollar. The Martha’s Vineyard Museum continues as steward of the lighthouse today, while the Coast Guard maintains the active aid to navigation.
Edgartown Harbor Lighthouse Architecture and Design
The lighthouse is a 45-foot conical cast-iron tower, tapering slightly toward the top in the Italianate style typical of late-19th-century U.S. Lighthouse Service designs. Painted white with a black lantern, the tower sits on a masonry foundation and features three windows and four portholes. When it was relocated from Ipswich in 1939, the original brick lining was left behind — an unusual choice that reduced the barging weight but meant the tower’s interior was reconfigured for its new role. A spiral staircase, installed during the 2007 renovation, replaced the original 40-foot ladder and now allows visitors to ascend to the lantern room and balcony.
Originally illuminated by a fourth-order Fresnel lens, the lighthouse now operates a solar-powered modern optic installed in 1990, producing a flashing red light every six seconds, visible up to five nautical miles. The tower’s focal plane stands roughly 46 feet above mean high water. Cape Poge Light, four miles to the east, has historically served as the primary navigational beacon guiding vessels toward Edgartown, with Edgartown Harbor Light marking the inner harbor entrance — a relationship noted as far back as Lt. Edward W. Carpender’s 1838 lighthouse inspection report.
Location and Surroundings
Situated at the north end of North Water Street in Edgartown, the lighthouse is surrounded by Lighthouse Beach, a serene spot popular among locals and tourists alike. Although the original 1828 lighthouse stood a quarter mile offshore, sand has accumulated around the stone causeway since 1939, gradually filling in the area until the tower today essentially sits on a beach. The area offers panoramic views of Edgartown Harbor, Chappaquiddick Island, and the Atlantic Ocean.
The nearby historic district of Edgartown boasts well-preserved 19th-century homes, boutique shops, and dining establishments, reflecting the town’s whaling-era prosperity. Visitors looking to explore the island’s other beacons can pair Edgartown Harbor Light with a visit to Cape Poge Light on Chappaquiddick, just across the channel.
Famous Tales and Recognition
Edgartown Harbor Light has accumulated a remarkable body of stories in its 200-year history:
- Floated by Barge from Crane Beach (1939): The current cast-iron tower was originally built in 1881 as the Ipswich Rear Range Light at Crane Beach in Essex County. Dismantled (minus its brick lining) and floated nearly 80 miles by barge to Edgartown, it was re-erected on the original foundation and lit for the first time in its new home on June 16, 1939.
- The Bridge of Sighs: The original 1830 wooden causeway connecting the lighthouse to the mainland was nicknamed “the Bridge of Sighs” — a colorful piece of Vineyard maritime lore that endured until the wooden walkway was replaced by a rap-and-stone causeway in 1847.
- Martha’s Vineyard Children’s Lighthouse Memorial (2001): Since 2001, the lighthouse has served as a children’s memorial, with engraved stones surrounding the base bearing the names of children who have passed away, alongside the poem “A Remembrance of an Unforgotten Vineyard Summer” by Thomas Napoleon.
- The Steel Skeleton That Wasn’t: After the 1938 hurricane, the Coast Guard initially planned to replace the damaged Edgartown lighthouse with a prefabricated steel skeleton tower. The town rallied against the idea, and the relocated Ipswich tower was the compromise — preserving Edgartown’s lighthouse as a piece of architectural heritage.
- The $1 Town Acquisition (2014): In January 2014, after a year-long application process under the National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act, the Town of Edgartown officially took ownership of the lighthouse from the federal government for the symbolic sum of one dollar.
- National Register of Historic Places (1987): Listed on June 15, 1987, as part of the Lighthouses of Massachusetts thematic submission, recognizing the structure’s architectural and historical significance.
- The Cape Poge Connection: Principal keeper Henry L. Thomas served at Cape Poge Light for a dozen years before transferring to Edgartown in 1931 — one of several keeper career arcs linking the Vineyard’s historic beacons.
Visiting Edgartown Harbor Lighthouse
The lighthouse is a cherished landmark, offering visitors a blend of historical insight and scenic beauty.
Getting There
From downtown Edgartown, head north on North Water Street until it ends near the lighthouse. Limited parking is available on North Water Street. Alternatively, the Vineyard Transit Authority (VTA) buses drop off on Church Street in Edgartown, from which it’s a 15-minute walk to the lighthouse.
By Tour
Visitors who prefer a guided experience can take the Martha’s Vineyard Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour, which includes Lighthouse Beach and the historic district of Edgartown alongside the gingerbread cottages of Oak Bluffs, Inkwell Beach, and Jaws filming locations — a great way to put Edgartown Harbor Light into the larger context of the island’s landmarks.
Visiting Hours
The lighthouse is open to the public during the summer months. Typically, it’s accessible on weekends from late May to early October, with additional weekday hours in July and August. It’s advisable to check the Martha’s Vineyard Museum‘s website or contact them directly for the most current information.
Admission
Admission is $5 for adults, while children 12 and under can enter for free. Members of the Martha’s Vineyard Museum also enjoy free admission. The Museum acts as steward of the lighthouse year-round, while the U.S. Coast Guard maintains the active light.
Guided Tours
During visiting hours, a lighthouse keeper is available to provide information about the lighthouse and answer any questions during your visit.
Visitor Guidelines
- Respect all signage and barriers to protect the lighthouse and its surroundings.
- Stay on designated paths to prevent dune erosion.
- Be mindful of changing tides and coastal conditions when visiting the nearby beach.
- Approach the Children’s Lighthouse Memorial stones with the quiet respect they deserve.
- Follow local regulations to ensure a safe and enjoyable visit.
Plan Your Visit
A trip to the Edgartown Harbor Lighthouse offers a unique blend of history, architecture, and natural beauty. Whether you’re a maritime enthusiast, a history buff, or simply seeking picturesque views, the lighthouse provides a memorable experience. Combine your visit with a stroll through Edgartown’s historic district, relax on Lighthouse Beach, and immerse yourself in the charm of Martha’s Vineyard.