Gayloon is a private beach off Moshup Trail in Aquinnah, on the far western end of Martha’s Vineyard. Located near the Painted House and a hundred yards southeast of the old Lillian Hellman beach shack, the property is surrounded by dunes, beach roses, inlets, and views of Nomans Land and the Elizabeth Islands. Purchased on July 30, 1960, the association was formed in 1978 as a 501c7 by Lagoon Heights residents. A portmanteau of Gay Head and Lagoon, Gayloon remains in their families today and is managed by a multigenerational board of directors.

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Board of Directors

Jean Berman (Treasurer), Stephen Chance, Alex Wilcox Cheek (President), Janna Kaplan (Clerk), Robert Klein, Stephen Perlman, Dan Walker

Past Directors

Christopher S. Pitt, Susan Mead, Bill Peterson, B. Carter White Jr., Varnum R. Mead, Libby Sturke, Ed Kaplan, Katherine Stern, Nan Rheault, Elizabeth J. MacDonald, Caroline Y. Rheault

Founding Members, 1964

Marion Beaven, Harold and Ruth Berman, Leo and Bernice Frank, Helen Gardner, Harold and Elizabeth Harlow, Albert and Sylvia Klein, Joseph and Lily Laufer, Mariam Mabee, Samuel and Katherine Perlman, Maurice and Ida Schatz, Philip and Elizabeth Stafford, Paul and Helen Williams