A collection of images celebrating the five Martha’s Vineyard lighthouses, plus additional selections from Nantucket and Cape Cod, from photographer Alison Shaw.
In the spring of 2011, photographer Alison Shaw began shooting the five Martha’s Vineyard lighthouses on assignment for Martha’s Vineyard Magazine. Though Alison had been a visitor to the Island since childhood and a resident there since she graduated Smith College in 1975, the Martha’s Vineyard lighthouses were one subject she had scarcely photographed. But once she began the project, photographing the lighthouses quickly evolved into a passion—and her book To the Harbor Light, published by Vineyard Stories.
To the Harbor Light is the result of 1,500 miles of trekking: 60 miles over sand and more than 300 over water. While some lighthouses, like Oak Bluffs’ East Chop were right in Alison’s backyard, others were nearly unreachable. At times, Alison had to wait hours for the tide to recede before being able to cross the stone breakwater that leads to Provincetown’s Wood End lighthouse, and when shooting in late fall and early the winter, Alison constantly had to monitor weather conditions.
Please enjoy this collection of images celebrating the five Martha’s Vineyard lighthouses, plus additional selections from Nantucket and Cape Cod, from To the Harbor Light.
Great Point Light, Nantucket. Photo Credit : Shaw, AlisonGay Head Light, Aquinnah. Photo Credit : Shaw, AlisonWest Chop Light, Vineyard Haven. Photo Credit : Shaw, AlisonWood End Light, Provincetown. Photo Credit : Shaw, AlisonEdgartown Light. Photo Credit : Shaw, AlisonWings Neck Light, Pocasset. Photo Credit : Shaw, AlisonCape Poge Light, Chappaquiddick. Photo Credit : Shaw, AlisonRace Point Light, Provincetown. Photo Credit : Shaw, Alison
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Stage Harbor Light, Chatham. Photo Credit : Shaw, AlisonBrant Point Light, Nantucket. Photo Credit : Shaw, AlisonSankaty Head Light, Siasconset. Photo Credit : Shaw, AlisonLewis Bay Light, Hyannis. Photo Credit : Shaw, AlisonWest Chop Light, Vineyard Haven. Photo Credit : Shaw, AlisonSankaty Head Light, Siasconset. Photo Credit : Shaw, AlisonLong Point Light, Provincetown. Photo Credit : Shaw, AlisonNobska Point Light, Falmouth. Photo Credit : Shaw, AlisonTo the Harbor Light: Lighthouses of Martha’s Vineyard, Nantucket, and Cape Cod. Photo Credit : Shaw, Alison
Do you have a favorite of the many Cape Cod, Nantucket, and Martha’s Vineyard lighthouses?
See more of Alison’s work as well as information about this book and her other titles, at: alisonshaw.comThis post was first published in 2012 and has been updated.
I know a lady that taught school somewhere on Cape Cod and had a summer job at Daniel Webster Inn, where she worked in their gift shop. She was allowed to rent, for a very reasonable fee, I might add, the Lightkeepers’ house at Wings Neck Light in Pocasset, MA for the summer months. It might not have had heat, I don’t remember. The house has a very interesting layout, I remember, and she took us into the lighthouse, we climbed to the top of the stairs in it. That light has very simple construction. I can’t imagine being up there during a violent thunder storm!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I will never forget that visit. It was really fun.
Where is the photo of Sandy Neck Light in Barnstable? It ranks as one of the most photographed lighthouses on Cape Cod, and often with the context of the cottage colony at the tip of Sandy Neck.
I know a lady that taught school somewhere on Cape Cod and had a summer job at Daniel Webster Inn, where she worked in their gift shop. She was allowed to rent, for a very reasonable fee, I might add, the Lightkeepers’ house at Wings Neck Light in Pocasset, MA for the summer months. It might not have had heat, I don’t remember. The house has a very interesting layout, I remember, and she took us into the lighthouse, we climbed to the top of the stairs in it. That light has very simple construction. I can’t imagine being up there during a violent thunder storm!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I will never forget that visit. It was really fun.
Great story Mimi – loved it!
Where is the photo of Sandy Neck Light in Barnstable? It ranks as one of the most photographed lighthouses on Cape Cod, and often with the context of the cottage colony at the tip of Sandy Neck.
Very beautiful photos of Lighthouses, I hope to see all of them.
Lewis Bay Light, Hyannis, is a generic replica lighthouse – not an authentic lighthouse.