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The Martha's Vineyard Museum
The Martha's Vineyard Museum as caretaker of the Edgartown Light received Community Preservation funds from the Town of Edgartown for restoration and renovation of the lighthouse. Work commenced at summer's end. As a result, the Ceremony was not held this year.
This is an extensive project. My understanding ist that it covers everything from metal integrity to paint to the installation of a spiral stair instead of the present, rather intimidating, hand over hand ladder hanging in mid air.
In part, due to the generosity of the Blum family who have given funds to the Museum to ensure public access access to the lighthouse. The lighthouse will have a lighthouse keeper to give tours and allow the public inside. This means we should be able to climb to the top. From there we can look down on the cobblestones and out across the water; our eyes traveling the same path as the beacon of light.
As of November 2007, restoration is not quite complete, but the Memorial can be visited. However, due to the construction, it would be best to check with Betsey Mayhew at the Museum before visiting from off island.
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The Ceremony of Remembrance
is usually the second Saturday after Labor Day each September, at the Lighthouse in the early afternoon.
It's a wonderful opportunity for families and friends to come
together to remember, mourn and celebrate the lives of their children.
The last few years there has been a weather contingency or rain date of the following Saturday. In case of severe weather, the Martha's Vineyard Museum makes the decision whether
or not to hold the ceremony by 5:00PM on the Friday before the Ceremony. A recorded message will be placed on the phone system, and can be
accessed "after hours".
The phone number is 1-508-627-4441.
For people coming from off Island,
the lighthouse is a short walk from Edgartown Harbor. One of the
passenger ferries, the Pied Piper, goes between Falmouth and Edgartown
Harbor several times a day.
The other ferries go to Oak Bluffs and Vineyard
Haven. You can catch a shuttle bus from those towns to Edgartown
or take a taxi. It's only a few miles. On our Travel
page there are links to the ferry schedules and other information
about traveling to and staying on Martha's Vineyard or Cape Cod.
Because the lighthouse is on the beach, in the sand,
it is unfortunately not handicap/wheelchair accessible. Nor can
it be driven to.
The Ceremony for 2006, was held on a beautiful Saturday September afternoon. Betsey Mayhew, the staff and volunteers of the Museum, continued to make it a wonderful and memorable day. Different things have been tried over the last few years. This ceremony was intentionally quieter, calmer than the others.
It is felt that even though there is comfort gained from the presence of others
and given to others in return, it is very much a private time for families. Each of us caught in our own recollections and memories.
This year it was a time for few speeches, a loving prayer, music that touched hearts and a chance for reflection or contact with friends. It ended as it often does, with the flyover by Dick Sherman in his vintage plane, Warbird. It is a moment that is always a fitting and breathtaking closing, all eyes raised watching, mesmerized as he circles the Lighthouse.
The Ceremony for 2005, originally scheduled for September 17, 2005 was postponed and held on its rain date of September 23rd.
Tropical Storm Ophelia brought strong winds, rain and heavy seas to Martha's Vineyard and the surrounding area on Friday the 16th, with an uncertain forecast for Saturday.
The weather cooperated nicely the following weekend and despite the rescheduling, a number of families were able to attend. It was a little bit lower key, but people said it was still a wonderful opportunity and they were glad it was able to be held.
Sadly, the Ceremony for 2004, had to be canceled
because of bad weather. The remnants of Hurricane Ivan, intermixed
with a cold front, brought gale force winds and rain to Martha's
Vineyard the weekend of September 18th.
On Saturday there were torrential rains and the
wind remained through Sunday. One family I heard from made it
to the Island Saturday morning, but did not get to Edgartown and
spent much of their day just trying to get back to Hyannis. Other
families made their way to the lighthouse on Friday or Saturday
morning, early, before the rain, and a few ventured down there
during the periods of heavy rain.
Weather is an important
part of life on the Island. At the Memorial that weekend, with
the rain flying sideways, stinging my face, I was reminded me
what an important role the Edgartown lighthouse has played in
the lives and history of Martha's Vineyard. In the middle of the
nineteenth century, the light could be seen fourteen miles out
to sea. For a community where so many
lives were tied to the water, in little wooden boats, it not only
meant home and safety. Sometimes it meant life itself. Now those
children and their stones are a part of that. And that, I think,
is a good thing.
"Leaving on the
Porch Light", by John Budris, was featured in the
printed program, both years. It's an extraordinarily moving and
fitting tribute to the inspiration and hard work that went into
creating the Memorial.
Saturday, July 13th at 4PM
(photos, click here to see them)
Program:
Matthew Stackpole,
Executive Director, Martha's Vineyard Museum
Rick Harrington
Roberta Hoffman
Caroline Delicata
Judith Smart
Craig R. Dripps,
Lighthouse Committee Chair
Matthew Stackpole opened the ceremony. He spoke
of the effect of the Memorial upon so many, families and visitors
alike.
Rick Harrington introduced parents, Roberta
Hoffman, Caroline Delicata and Judith
Smart. They spoke and shared a little of their loss, their
child and what the Memorial represents to them. (you may click
on their names to read their remarks).
Craig Dripps closed the ceremony, telling us a little
of Dick Sherman, his vintage plane, "Warbird", and his
son who is honored with a stone. This year, as last year, the
ceremony ended with Dick circling the lighthouse in his plane.
It was a beautiful summer day, the sky was a brilliant blue, we
all raised our eyes, turned and followed the path of the plane
as it paid tribute to his son, to all of the children and to the
people who had gathered there that day to celebrate and remember.
I've noticed both years, that everyone, when they
mention the ceremony, talks about the plane and how wonderful
it was. It's their favorite part. It seems to capture the spirit
of the day for them more than anything else.
One of the parents, writing to me, expressed it
beautifully. She said she...."loved the last touch of the
airplane circling the lighthouse ~ like a circle of love ~ with
a trail of smoke. It was so moving and symbolic, just like all
these deceased children who had flown into their parents and families
lives for a very brief, yet stunning period of time and then left
on a cloud over the horizon, never to be seen again".
For more information, on events or any other questions,
please contact:
The Martha's Vineyard Museum
59 School Street
P.O. Box 1310 (mailing address)
Edgartown, MA 02539
508-627-4441 telephone
508-627-4436 fax
click here
to email the MVM
click here
to email the web site
top of page
the memorial, design,
adding a child
history, resources,
contact,
home
the names of the children who are at the memorial
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Ceremony
September 2006 
September 2004