59 School Street, Box 1310, Edgartown MA 02539 - 508.627.4441
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A Finding Aid to the Lighthouses Collection, 1799-2002, undated

Descriptive Summary

Repository Martha's Vineyard Museum, Gale Huntington Research Library
59 School Street
P.O. Box 1310
Edgartown, MA 02539
(508)627-4441
Call Number RU 212
Title Lighthouses Collection
Date [inclusive] 1799-2002, undated
Extent 6 boxes (3.024 cubic feet)
Location For current information on the location of these materials, please consult the library's staff.
Language The materials are predominately in English. Some materials are in French and indicated at the file level.
Abstract The Lighthouses Collection is a compilation of published pamphlets, newspaper and magazine articles, 19thcentury bills and receipts, lighthouse journals, and research notes. The history and a time line for each lighthouse, on Martha’s Vineyard or the Elizabeth Islands, is included in each series.

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Administrative Information

Access Restrictions

There are no restrictions.

Use and Reproduction Restrictions

Requests to reproduce material from this collection should be directed to the library's staff. Reproduction fees may apply.

Preferred Citation

Martha's Vineyard Museum, RU 212, Lighthouses Collection.

Acquisition Information

Examples include the following:

  • The immediate source of acquisition and date of accession are unknown.

Publication Information

Martha's Vineyard Museum

Gale Huntington Research Library
59 School Street
P.O. Box 1310
Edgartown, MA 02539
(508)627-4441

Revision Description

 Addition to the Collection; Addition of Series IV, Subseries E: Journal Entries, [CJ]. Addition to the Collection; Addition of Box 2, Folder 4, Gay Head Lighthouse: Journal of Lighthouse, [CJ],  August 2015

Processing Information

Finding aid prepared by Julia Novakovic in 2011 and machine-encoded by Clint Johnson in August 2015

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Related Materials

Related Materials

  • See also, RU 207, Whaling and the Vineyard.
  • See also, RU 329, Pease, Joseph Thaxter Papers, 1814-1897.
  • See also, RU 540, Maritime Related Collection, 1638, 1770-1942, undated.
  • See also, Indices of the Museum's quarterly publication, The Dukes County Intelligencer for numerous articles and photographs of Vineyard lighthouses.

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Index Terms

Genre(s)

  • Bills of sale
  • Clippings (information artifacts)
  • Correspondence
  • Histories (literature genre)
  • Lecture notes
  • Logs (records)
  • Payroll records
  • Petitions
  • Picture postcards
  • Receipts (financial records)

Geographic Name(s)

  • Cuttyhunk Island (Mass.)
  • Dukes County (Mass.)
  • Edgartown (Mass.)
  • Elizabeth Islands (Mass.)
  • Gay Head (Mass.)
  • Homes Hole (Mass.)
  • Marthas Vineyard (Mass.)
  • Tisbury (Mass. : Town)

Personal Name(s)

  • Fresnel, Augustin Jean, 1788-1827
  • Pease, Joseph Thaxter

Subject(s)

  • Chatham Light (Mass.)
  • Cuttyhunk Light (Mass.)
  • Fresnel lenses--History
  • Gay Head Light (Mass.)
  • Gay Head Light (Mass.)--History
  • Lighthouses--Massachusetts--Cape Cod--History.
  • Lighthouses--Massachusetts--Martha's Vineyard--History.
  • Nobska Lighthouse (Mass.)
  • Tarpaulin Cove Light (Mass.)

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Biography/Historical Note

In 1796, a man from Nantucket petitioned the new American republic to build a lighthouse at Gay Head on the Vineyard Sound. President John Adams granted this proposal in 1799 and the first lighthouse on the Island was built. Over the next seventy years, four more of these beacons were constructed along the coast of Martha’s Vineyard: at Cape Poge, West Chop, Edgartown, and East Chop. These structures utilized different energy sources over the past two centuries to light the way for ships, including sperm whale oil, reflecting lamps, Fresnel lenses of various orders, and eventually electricity and solar power. During the 20th century, the U.S. Coast Guard Service became the authority for lighthouses in America, and soon replaced light keepers with automatic beacons. West Chop was the last Island light to become automated in 1976. In 1994, the Martha’s Vineyard Historical Society acquired stewardship of the Gay Head, Edgartown, and East Chop lighthouses. The Coast Guard still maintains the light signals.

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Scope and Content of Collection

The Lighthouses Collection is a compilation of published pamphlets, newspaper and magazine articles, 19th century bills and receipts, lighthouse journals, and research notes. The 2.75 cubic feet of information is an artificial collection, created by many donors during the 20th century.

A summarized history and a time line for each lighthouse, on Martha’s Vineyard or the Elizabeth Islands, is included in each series. The Gay Head Lighthouse, perhaps the most famous of the Island lighthouses, makes up a large portion of this assemblage. A letter in 1799 by President John Adams wrote about the construction of this light. In addition to the information and history of the Gay Head Lighthouse, there is also a section on the relocation of the 1856 Fresnel Lens from Gay Head to the Dukes County Historical Society campus in Edgartown in 1952.

Also of note are the Keepers’ Journals within the Cape Poge section of this collection; they begin in 1872 and end in 1940, documenting daily occurrences, repairs, weather, and other events that happened at the lighthouse. There are also two keepers’ journals from Gay Head along with visitor registers. Additionally, this collection comprises the lighthouses of Cuttyhunk and Tarpaulin Cove on the Elizabeth Islands, as well as Chatham and Nobska on Cape Cod.

Arrangement

  • Series I: Lighthouse Reference
    • Subseries A: General
    • Subseries B: Martha’s Vineyard
  • Series II: Gay Head Lighthouse
    • Subseries A: Reference
    • Subseries B: Letters
    • Subseries C: Bills and Receipts
    • Subseries D: Newspaper and Magazine Articles
    • Subseries E: Relocation of Lens to Edgartown [DCHS] in 1952
    • Subseries F: Logbooks
  • Series III: Fresnel
    • Subseries A: Biographical Information
    • Subseries B: Publications
  • Series IV: Edgartown Lighthouse
    • Subseries A: Reference
    • Subseries B: Bills and Receipts
    • Subseries C: Newspaper and Magazine Articles
    • Subseries D: Guest books
    • Subseries E: Journal Entries
  • Series V: Cape Poge Lighthouse
    • Subseries A: Reference
    • Subseries B: Bills and Receipts
    • Subseries C: Newspaper and Magazine Articles
    • Subseries D: Logbooks
  • Series VI: East Chop Lighthouse
    • Subseries A: Reference
    • Subseries B: Documents
    • Subseries C: Newspaper and Magazine Articles
  • Series VII: West Chop Lighthouse
    • Subseries A: Reference
    • Subseries B: Letters
    • Subseries C: Bills and Receipts
    • Subseries D: Newspaper and Magazine Articles
  • Series VIII: Holmes Hole Beacon Lights
  • Series IX: Elizabeth Islands Lighthouses
    • Subseries A: Cuttyhunk Lighthouse
    • Subseries B: Tarpaulin Cove Lighthouse
  • Series X: Cape Cod Lighthouses
  • Series XI: Vineyard Light Vessels
    • Subseries A: Reference
    • Subseries B: Documents
    • Subseries C: Bills and Receipts
    • Subseries D: Newspaper and Magazine Articles
  • Series XII: Administrative Papers
    • Subseries A: Letters
    • Subseries B: Bills and Receipts
  • Series XIII: Miscellaneous

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Contents of Collection

Series I: Lighthouses Reference

Subseries A: General

Scope and Content

This Subseries contains information on the general history of lighthouses from across the globe. A lengthy article from National Geographic in 1913 gives great descriptions of notable lighthouses along the American coastline. A bound copy of “Instructions to Light-Keepers” explains the expectations of keepers, their salaries, and reference and directions for special signals, storms, and other events.
Box Folder

General History and Information on Lighthouses, 1913, undated 

 1 1

Instructions to Light-Keepers, 1881 July 
Author/Creator:  U.S. Lighthouse Board

 1 2

Subseries B: Martha’s Vineyard Lighthouses

Scope and Content

This Subseries contains newspaper articles and other information relating to all five of the Vineyard lighthouses: Edgartown, Gay Head, Cape Poge, East Chop, and West Chop. Shoreline Sentinels, a publication of the MVHS, gives a brief history and chronology, as well as illustrations, of each lighthouse.

Box Folder

Lighthouses on Martha’s Vineyard: Overview, undated 

 1 3

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Series II: Gay Head Lighthouse

Scope and Content

This Series contains information on the history of the Gay Head Lighthouse and its famous Fresnel Lens. The first subseries holds pamphlets, timelines, and the U.S. Department of Commerce, Lighthouse Service description of the Gay Head Light Station from 1922. The second subseries has letters regarding the lighthouse’s history, including one from John Adams in 1799 concerning the building of a light at Gay Head. Receipts and bills from the Gay Head Lighthouse [1810-1849] are contained in the third subseries. The fourth subseries includes newspaper and magazine articles on the lighthouse. The majority of the Gay Head series comes from the next subseries: the relocation of the 1856 Fresnel Lens from Gay Head to the Dukes County Historical Society in 1952. Within this section, there are the plans for relocation, newspaper and magazine articles documenting the controversy surrounding this move, two donor registers, publications by the Dukes County Historical Society in the 1950s concerning its new exhibit, and an inspection report on the condition of the lens in 2000. Finally, four logbooks complete this series: two visitor registers and two keepers’ journals. Visitors Logs from 1873-1877 and then 1878-1889 document the names of guests who came to see the famous Gay Head Lighthouse. Also, the light-keepers maintained records of daily occurrences in their journals; this subseries holds two such journals from Gay Head, dated 1889-1900 and 1908-1916.

Subseries A: Reference
Box Folder

Head Lighthouse: General Information and History, 1922 

 1 4

Subseries B: Letters
Box Folder

Gay Head Lighthouse: Letters, 1799-1982 

 1 5

Subseries C: Bills and Receipts
Box Folder

Gay Head Lighthouse: Bills and Receipts, 1810-1849 

 1 6

Subseries D: Newspaper and Magazine Articles
Box Folder

Gay Head Lighthouse: Newspaper and Magazine Articles, 1799-2001 

 1 7

Subseries E: Relocation of Lens to Edgartown [DCHS] in 1952
Box Folder

Gay Head Lighthouse: Plans for Relocation to DCHS, 1952 

 1 8

: Gay Head Lighthouse: Newspaper Articles regarding Relocation of Lens to DCHS, 1950-1957 

 1 9

Gay Head Lighthouse: Children’s Register, transcription, 1952 

 1 10

Gay Head Lighthouse: Lens Fund Contributors, transcription, 1951-1952 

 1 11

Gay Head Lighthouse: DCHS Publications and Data on Lens, circa 1952 

 1 12

Gay Head Lighthouse: Inspection Report for Fresnel Lens at MVHS, 2000 

 1 13

Subseries F: Logbooks
Box Folder

Gay Head Lighthouse: Visitors Log, 1873-1877 

 2 1

Gay Head Lighthouse Visitors Log, loose pages, 1875-1878, 1880-1882  

 2 2

Gay Head Lighthouse: Visitors Log, 1878-1889 

 2 3

Gay Head Lighthouse: Journal of Lighthouse, 1845 

 2 4

Gay Head Lighthouse: Journal of Lighthouse, 1889-1900 

 2 5

Gay Head Lighthouse: Journal of Lighthouse, 1908-1916 

 2 6

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Series III: Fresnel

Scope and Content

This Series contains periodical and book excerpts on Augustin Fresnel, the creator of the famous Fresnel Lens. The first subseries holds biographical information and explanations regarding the “science of the lens.” The next section houses a publication by Fresnel himself from a reading at the Academy of Sciences in Paris in 1822. This book is in French, and explicates his research and reasoning behind the creation of this important optical and luminous device.

Subseries A: Biographical Information
Box Folder

Fresnel: Biographical Information and Science of the Fresnel Lens, undated 

 2 7

Subseries B: Publications
Box Folder

Fresnel: Mémoire sur Un Nouveau Système d’Éclairage des Phares [  Report on a New System of Lighting Lighthouses], 1822 
Author/Creator:  Fresnel, Augustin

 The materials are in French.

 2 8

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Series IV: Edgartown Lighthouse

Scope and Content

This Series contains information on the history of the Edgartown Lighthouse. The first subseries holds pamphlets, timelines, and the U.S. Department of Commerce, Lighthouse Service description of the Edgartown Light Station from 1931. Receipts and bills from the Edgartown Lighthouse [1845-1847] are contained in the second subseries. The third subseries includes newspaper and magazine articles on the Edgartown Lighthouse and the Children’s Memorial located there. Finally, a guest book of visitors’ names from 1893-1894 completes this series.

Subseries A: Reference
Box Folder

Edgartown Lighthouse: General Information and History, 1931 

 3 1

Subseries B: Bills and Receipts
Box Folder

Edgartown Lighthouse: Bills and Receipts, 1845-1847 

 3 2

Subseries C: Newspaper and Magazine Articles

Box Folder

Edgartown Lighthouse: Newspaper and Magazine Articles, 1938-2002 and undated 

 3 3

Subseries D: Guest books
Box Folder

Edgartown Lighthouse: Visitors Register, 1893-1894 

 3 4

Subseries E: Journal Entries
Box Folder

Edgartown Lighthouse: Journal of Lighthouse, 1845 

 3 5

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Series V: Cape Poge Lighthouse

Scope and Content

This Series contains information on the history of the Cape Poge Lighthouse. The first subseries holds pamphlets, timelines, and the U.S. Department of Commerce, Lighthouse Service description of the Cape Poge Light Station from 1929. Receipts and bills from the Cape Poge Lighthouse [1845-1847] are contained in the second subseries. The third subseries includes newspaper and magazine articles on the Cape Poge Lighthouse. The majority of this series is the collection of journals from Cape Poge, ranging from 1872-1916. These records were kept by the light-keepers there, marking daily events, repairs, weather, ships, and more.

Subseries A: Reference
Box Folder

Cape Poge Lighthouse: General Information and History, 1929 

 3 6

Subseries B: Bills and Receipts
Box Folder

Cape Poge Lighthouse: Bills and Receipts, 1845-1847 

 3 7

Subseries C: Newspaper and Magazine Articles
Box Folder

Cape Poge Lighthouse: Newspaper and Magazine Articles, 1801-1999 

 3 8

Subseries D: Logbooks
Box Folder

Cape Poge Lighthouse: Journal of Lighthouse, 1872-1881 

 3 9

Cape Poge Lighthouse: Journal of Lighthouse, 1881-1889 

 3 10

Cape Poge Lighthouse: Journal of Lighthouse, 1889-1894 

 4 1

Cape Poge Lighthouse: Journal of Lighthouse, 1895-1898 

 4 2

Cape Poge Lighthouse: Journal of Lighthouse, 1898-1902 

 4 3

Cape Poge Lighthouse: Journal of Lighthouse, 1902-1906 

 4 4

Cape Poge Lighthouse: Journal of Lighthouse, 1906-1912 

 4 5

Cape Poge Lighthouse: Journal of Lighthouse, 1912-1916 

 5 1

Cape Poge Lighthouse: Journal of Lighthouse, 1921 

 5 2

Cape Poge Lighthouse: Journal of Lighthouse, 1922-1930 

 5 3

Cape Poge Lighthouse: Journal of Lighthouse, 1931-1940 

 5 4

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Series VI: East Chop Lighthouse

Scope and Content

This Series contains information on the history of the East Chop Lighthouse. The first subseries holds pamphlets, timelines, and the U.S. Department of Commerce, Lighthouse Service description of the Edgartown Light Station from 1927. A transfer of sale for the lighthouse from Silas Daggett to the United States government is housed in the second Subseries. The third subseries includes newspaper and magazine articles on the East Chop Light.

Subseries A: Reference
Box Folder

East Chop Lighthouse: General Information and History, 1927 

 5 5

Subseries B: Original Documents
Box Folder

East Chop Lighthouse: Transfer of Sale from Silas Daggett to U.S. Government, 1876 

 5 6

Subseries C: Newspaper and Magazine Articles
Box Folder

East Chop Lighthouse: Newspaper and Magazine Articles, 1926-1994 

 5 7

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Series VII: West Chop Lighthouse

Scope and Content

This Series contains information on the history of the West Chop Lighthouse. The first subseries holds pamphlets, timelines, and summaries of its history. The second section houses letters regarding construction and repair on the lighthouse from 1846. Receipts and bills from the West Chop Lighthouse [1845-1847] are contained in the third subseries. The last subseries includes newspaper and magazine articles on the lighthouse.

Subseries A: Reference
Box Folder

West Chop Lighthouse: General Information and History, undated 

 5 8

Subseries B: Letters
Box Folder

West Chop Lighthouse: Letters regarding West Chop Lighthouse, 1846 

 5 9

Subseries C: Bills and Receipts
Box Folder

West Chop Lighthouse: Bills and Receipts, 1845-1847 

 5 10

Subseries D: Newspaper and Magazine Articles
Box Folder

West Chop Lighthouse: Newspaper and Magazine Articles, circa 1950-1995 

 5 11

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Series VIII: Holmes Hole Beacon Lights

Scope and Content

This Series contains information on the history of the beacon lights used in the Holmes Hole harbor from 1854-1860.
Box Folder

Holmes Hole Beacon Lights: General Information and History, 1854-1860 

 6 1

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Series IX: Elizabeth Island Lighthouses

Subseries A: Cuttyhunk Lighthouse

Scope and Content

This Subseries contains information on the Cuttyhunk Lighthouse [located on Cuttyhunk Island of the Elizabeth Islands], as well as bills and receipts pertaining to upkeep of the lighthouse and salaries of its keepers from 1845-1847.
Box Folder

Cuttyhunk Lighthouse: General Information and History, undated 

 6 2

Cuttyhunk Lighthouse: Bills and Receipts , 1845-1847 

 6 3

Subseries B: Tarpaulin Cove

Scope and Content

This Subseries contains information on the Tarpaulin Cove Lighthouse [located on Naushon Island of the Elizabeth Islands], as well as bills and receipts pertaining to upkeep of the lighthouse and salaries of its keepers from 1845-1847.
Box Folder

Tarpaulin Cove Lighthouse: General Information and History, undated 

 6 4

Tarpaulin Cove Lighthouse: Bills and Receipts, 1845-1847 

 6 5

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Series X: Cape Cod Lighthouses

Scope and Content

This Series contains information on the Chatham and Nobska Lighthouses, two important beacons along the coastline of Cape Cod.

Box Folder

Chatham Lighthouse: General Information and History, undated 

 6 6

Nobska Lighthouse: General Information and History, undated 

 6 7

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Series XI: Vineyard Light Vessels

Scope and Content

This Series contains information on the light vessels that served in the Vineyard Sound and other waters surrounding the Island for more than a hundred years. The first Subseries holds general information and diagrams of these vessels. The second Subseries houses bills and receipts pertaining to the upkeep and salaries of the keepers of the light vessels. Newspaper and magazine articles on the Vineyard Light Vessels complete this series.

Subseries A: Reference
Box Folder

Vineyard Light Vessels: General Information and History, undated 

 6 8

Subseries B: Bills and Receipts
Box Folder

Vineyard Light Vessels: Bills, Receipts, and Petition, 1841-1847 

 6 9

Subseries C: Newspaper and Magazine Articles
Box Folder

Vineyard Light Vessels: Newspaper and Magazine Articles, 1955-1991 

 6 10

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Series XII: Administrative Papers

Scope and Content

This Series contains papers from Joseph Thaxter Pease, the Superintendent of Lighthouses for the district including Martha’s Vineyard. The first subseries holds his professional correspondence with the government and some of the Island’s light-keepers from 1842-1849. Also, bills and receipts pertaining to the upkeep of lighthouses as well as keepers’ salaries are housed in the second section.

Subseries A: Letters
Box Folder

Administrative Papers, District of Edgartown: Letters to Superintendent Joseph Thaxter Pease, 1842-1849 

 6 11

Subseries B: Bills and Receipts
Box Folder

Administrative Papers, District of Edgartown: Bills and Receipts from Superintendent Joseph Thaxter Pease, 1843-1855 

 6 12

Administrative Papers, District of Edgartown: Payroll from Third Quarter of 1846., 1846 

 6 13

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Series XIII: Miscellaneous

Scope and Content

This Series contains an assortment of items. The first folder houses receipts and bills of various lighthouse and buoy repairs. Also included in this series is a visitors register to an unidentified lighthouse [although it may be from Edgartown]. Then a set of lecture note cards by an unknown author are held in the last folder, giving the reader a good overall history of both worldwide and Martha’s Vineyard lighthouses. Finally, a set of 3 postcards depicting Gay Head Lighthouse.
Box Folder

Miscellaneous: Receipts and Bills, Upkeep of Lighthouses on MV, 1845-1847 

 6 14

Miscellaneous: Unknown MV Lighthouse Visitors Register, 1862-1864 

 6 15

Miscellaneous: Set of Lecture Note Cards on Lighthouses, General and MV, undated 

 6 16

Miscellaneous: Gay Head Lighthouse postcards, 1903, undated 

 6 17

General Martha's Vineyard Lighthouse newspaper clippings, 1984 July 24-1993 

 6 18

General Martha's Vineyard Lighthouse correspondence, 1984 May 17-1995 July 7, undated 

 6 19

Lighthouse Testimony, 1986 April 30 
Author/Creator:  Bitzer, John F., Jr.

 6 20

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