<<back to Massachusetts>> | <<back to Map>>

West Chop Light

Martha’s vineyard, ma

The original lighthouse was built on this site in 1817 and was replaced by this beautiful lighthouse station with a fifty-two foot tower ( 84’ ASL) that shows an oscillating light every four seconds and can be seen for eleven miles.

This lighthouse guards the west side of the entrance to Vineyard Haven and has very pleasant memories for my family.  We often went by this light on our way into Vineyard Haven or on our way to Edgartown for some great sailboat racing. There is another light on the east side of the entrance called East Chop Light.

I painted this light on a request from a Ms. Seamond Roberts*, who was a lighthouse keeper’s daughter at this lighthouse from 1946-1957.  She was full of great stories about  growing up at the lighthouse.  What moved me the most was how much she loved and missed this old place.  Because she lives down south, she was afraid she would never see the light again.  Fate had other plans. 

Seamond was able to get back to the Vineyard, and wrote, that she was so happy that after she hugged all her friends and hugged all their dogs, she went out and hugged her beloved lighthouse.  She couldn’t stop the tears of joy that followed.

*Seamond Roberts is an author and writes some great stories.