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Of the six lighthouses on Martha’s Vineyard I think the Gay Head lighthouse in Aquinnah has the most dramatic and beautiful setting.
This picture of Gay Head lighthouse was taken by me around 1960. I believe the building is the Coast Guard station which was being removed as it was too close to the edge due to the erosion of the cliffs.
This picture is from 2010.
According to the book “Guide to Martha’s Vineyard” the original lighthouse was one of the first revolving ones in the country; often the wooden works became swollen in damp weather, and the keeper or his wife was obliged to turn the light by hand all night long. In 1856 this was replaced by a larger steel structure that housed a stronger light with a Fresnel lens. In 1952 the present automatic light was erected, and the old lens was given to the Vineyard Museum.”
I stayed a few times at the Daggett House Inn before it was renovated and turned into a private residence. One of the things I remember most is their famous Grape Nut bread/toast.
On the lower level of the inn was the breakfast room. According to the Guide to Martha’s Vineyard:
“The room was the first tavern on Martha’s Vineyard to sell beer and ale. In 1660 the taverner, John Daggett, was fined five shillings for “selling strong liquor.” In 1750 the Daggett House was added to the building. Through the years the Daggett House was a custom’s house, a sailor’s boardinghouse, a store, and during the whaling era, a counting house. ”
An interesting feature of the Daggett House was its secret room. I’m not sure what it was used for in the 1600′s or so but during the past years as a B&B it was a guest room, provided they could find the secret door and providing the GHOST wasn’t in residence!!!
The back of the Daggett House had a nice expanse leading to the edge of Edgartown Harbor. A perfect place to have a breakfast or sit and read.
I stayed at the Daggett House twice… once in the main house and once in the charming 2 room house in the garden. It was one of the nicest bed and breadfasts, and now is one of the nicest looking homes in Edgartown.
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Grapenut Bread from the Daggett House.
(This recipe was a staple of the Daggett House Bed & Breakfast on Martha’s Vineyard until it closed. They used to readily hand out recipe cards so I’m assuming there are no copyright issues. But just in case there is, I’m giving full credit here to the inn as it’s their recipe)
Makes 2 loaves
Mix:
2/3 c Grapenuts
1/3 c wheat germ
3 T butter
1/4 tsp salt
1/3 c dark brown sugar
1 1/3 c boiling water.
Stir and let cool to barely warm.
Then, combine 1 T yeast, 1 tsp sugar and 2/3 c warm water, and let stand until bubbly.
Add yeast to the dry mixture. Add 4 c all-purpose flour.
Knead until soft and smooth, then return to bowl and let rise, covered, until double in volume.
Punch down and divide into two loaves, knead for a few minutes, and put into greased loaf pans. Let rise until double in size.
Bake at 350 degrees for 50 minutes.
UPDATED 6/18 to include picture of freshly baked Grape-Nut bread…yum
This is my 4 year old Kodak C743, it is my first digital camera and the one I’ve used to take ALL the pictures on this blog and on my photo blog Through Jersey Eyes (click here). I love this camera and have it with me all the time, it’s small, light weight and takes beautiful pictures.
My daughter Deb just treated herself to a new camera and generously gave me her Nikon D40. I know what gorgeous pictures this camera takes and am looking forward to playing with it. First thing I did with it was take the picture of my Kodak camera because obviously I’ve never been able to do that before.
These are some shots I took in my neighborhood on our first outing.
I’m really looking forward to taking it to the Vineyard because a new camera means new pictures of my favorite places. How’d that picture of West Chop Lighthouse get on one of the Bandstand pages?
Think cool thoughts…
Eighth in the series of Vineyard trivia posts is another picture one. CLICK HERE for previous trivia posts. (You can click on pictures to make them larger)
1 – where is this bike rack
2 – what up-Island town is this
3 – what is this building and what town is it in
4 – name this ferry
5 – where is this beach
6 – what is this building and where is it
7 – where is this church
8 – what lighthouse is this
Think you know the answers? Leave a comment to find out 
