Martha's Vineyard Museum

Martha's Vineyard Museum will conserve its original 1854 Fresnel lens used at Gay Head Lighthouse from 1854 to 1952 and reinstall it in its new permanent location in Vineyard Haven. The 18-foot-high and 9-foot-wide lens is used to interpret the lore and history of maritime industries, optics, and the tradition of navigation, and is considered the single most important object in the museum's collections. The lens requires conservation treatment to alleviate corrosion, stabilize cracked panels, and replace damaged or missing elements. The entire lens will also receive a thorough cleaning. The lens is central to the museum's mission, and the object's care and maintenance will remain a top priority. With the lens installed within the new facility, its condition will be more easily monitored and its routine maintenance will be achievable in a way that is not possible in the current situation.