Excavation for Gay Head light move scheduled to begin when the ground thaws. – Photo, Peter Simon
A detailed plan for moving the Gay Head Light has been approved by the Aquinnah conservation commission and planning board, and extensive landscaping plans and other elements of the project are quickly taking shape.
International Chimney Corporation, along with civil engineer George Sourati, has developed plans to relocate the historic lighthouse about 190 feet from eroding cliffs. If all goes well, excavation of the site will begin as soon as the ground thaws, with the move completed by Memorial Day.
“It’s actually a fairly level excavation,” said lighthouse advisory committee member Len Butler, who presented an update to the Aquinnah selectmen on Wednesday. A path will be dug to the new location, which is a few feet lower in elevation, but will be raised to accommodate the difference. An original granite foundation will be re-exposed, adding about a foot to the height of the lighthouse.