Martha's Vineyard

Martha's Vineyard, often called the Vineyard, is an island in Massachusetts, just south of Cape Cod. It is the 58th largest island in the U.S. and the third-largest on the East Coast, with an area of about 96 square miles. The island is part of Dukes County, Massachusetts and includes the peninsula Chappaquiddick Island.

The island's year-round population has grown since the 1960s, reaching 20,530 in 2023. During the summer, the population swells to over 200,000 people. Many homes on the island are only used during the summer.

The island was likely named after Bartholomew Gosnold's wealthy mother-in-law, Martha (Judde) Golding, who helped fund his expedition in 1602. It was originally known as Martin's Vineyard by some maps, but today it is officially called Martha's Vineyard, one of five U.S. place names that includes a possessive apostrophe.

History

Pre-European settlement

The island was first home to the Wampanoag people. They called the island Noepe, meaning "land amid the streams." In 1642, there were about 3,000 Wampanoag on the island. By 1764, their numbers had dropped to just 313.

Colonial era

European settlers arrived when Thomas Mayhew bought Martha's Vineyard, Nantucket, and the Elizabeth Islands from two New England settlers. He got along well with the Wampanoag and respected their land rights. His son, also named Thomas Mayhew, started the first settlement in 1642 at Great Harbor, later called Edgartown.

During King Philip's War, the Wampanoag on Martha's Vineyard did not join the fight against the colonists, thanks to the good relationship the Mayhews built.

19th century

In the 1800s, Martha's Vineyard became known for whaling. Ships traveled the world to hunt whales for oil. But when petroleum was discovered in Pennsylvania, it made whaling less important. After a railroad reached Woods Hole in 1872, the island started to become a popular summer spot for visitors.

Modern era

During World War II, Martha's Vineyard was used for military training. In 1969, a car accident on Chappaquiddick Island made news nationwide. The island became famous when director Steven Spielberg filmed the movie Jaws there in 1974.

In 2022, the island made headlines again when two planeloads of migrants were brought there by the governor of Florida. Local residents helped the migrants with supplies and shelter.

African American history

Martha's Vineyard has a long history with issues of fairness and equality. In 1700, a seasonal resident was one of the first in New England to speak out against unfair treatment. In 2020, Edgartown Harbor was recognized for its role in helping people escape unfair treatment.

Hereditary deafness and sign language

For many generations, a number of families on Martha's Vineyard had members who were unable to hear. This led to the development of a special way of communicating used by both people who could hear and those who could not. This sign language was used until the middle of the 20th century.

Climate

Martha's Vineyard has a mild climate, thanks to the nearby Atlantic Ocean that helps keep temperatures comfortable throughout the year. Winters are cool but not too cold, with average January temperatures just above freezing. Snowfall is light, averaging about 25 inches each year. Summers are warm and humid, with temperatures usually in the 70s°F, and only occasionally reaching into the 90s°F.

Spring and fall are pleasant transition seasons, with fall often feeling a bit warmer than spring. The island receives about 47 inches of rain each year, spread fairly evenly across all seasons. This makes Martha's Vineyard a great place to visit or live, with comfortable weather most of the year.

Towns

Martha's Vineyard has six towns, each run by a group of leaders called a Board of Selectmen, chosen by voters. These towns work together on some important jobs, like schools and safety, and there is talk about working even more closely in the future.

The towns are:

• Tisbury, which includes Vineyard Haven and West Chop. It is the main place for people and goods to arrive, and it is home to the Martha's Vineyard Museum.
• Edgartown, including Chappaquiddick Island and Katama. Edgartown is known for its history with whales and is the largest town.
• Oak Bluffs, famous for its colorful gingerbread cottages and busy streets. It was once called Cottage City and has a lively night scene. Oak Bluffs has been a favorite spot for many visitors, including African Americans, since the early 1900s. It also includes East Chop, Lagoon Heights, and Harthaven.
• West Tisbury, where farming is important, and the Martha's Vineyard Agricultural Fair is held each August.
• Chilmark, a quiet area with hilly land and the fishing village of Menemsha. It is where George Claghorn, who built the famous ship USS Constitution, was born.
• Aquinnah, previously named Gay Head, where the Wampanoag Indian tribe lives and there are tall clay cliffs.

Transportation

Before highways and airplanes, people took trains from New York City or Boston to Woods Hole or Hyannis to get to the island by ferry. Today, the Martha's Vineyard Transit Authority runs buses all year round across the island.

You can reach Martha's Vineyard by ferry. The Steamship Authority runs ferries from Woods Hole year-round, and this is the only ferry that can bring cars to the island. There are also ferries from Falmouth, Hyannis, and New Bedford in Massachusetts, North Kingstown in Rhode Island, and sometimes from New York City to New Jersey.

The main airport is Martha's Vineyard Airport. Cape Air flies there all year from Boston and New York City, with seasonal flights to places like Hyannis, New Bedford, Nantucket, White Plains, New York, Washington-Reagan, New York-LaGuardia, Philadelphia and Charlotte. JetBlue, Delta, American Airlines, and Elite Airways also offer seasonal flights from New York City and Boston.

Education

Martha's Vineyard has several schools to help children learn. Each town has its own school for younger students, and all the towns come together at one high school for older students. There is also a special school called a charter school that anyone on the island can attend from kindergarten all the way through high school.

Tourism and culture

Martha's Vineyard has a long history of attracting visitors. During the time when whaling was popular, wealthy sea captains built big homes there with their profits. Today, it is a favorite place for people to spend their summers, and many famous people visit regularly.

The island has about 20,530 people living there all year, but during the summer, the number jumps to around 200,000 with many more visitors coming and going on ferries. The busiest time is around July 4 and the Agricultural Fair in late August. Summer usually lasts from June through Labor Day weekend.

Martha's Vineyard is also known for its special wine area, where grapes grown on the island can be used to make wine labeled as coming from Martha's Vineyard. The island has many fun things to do, like the Grand Illumination in Oak Bluffs, film festivals, a carousel, and a skatepark. It is also a place where artists, writers, and musicians live and work. Many famous people have spent time there, enjoying its quiet and peaceful atmosphere.

Media

Local newspapers and magazines

• Martha's Vineyard Magazine
• Vineyard Gazette
• The Martha's Vineyard Times

Radio

FM

• WMVY/88.7-Edgartown: Adult Album Alternative
• WBUA/92.7-Tisbury: Public radio (relays WBUR-FM Boston)
• WVVY-LP/96.7-Tisbury: Community radio

Television

Over-the-air

Television broadcasts are available from nearby cities using different methods.

• From Boston via U.S. satellite providers, Comcast Xfinity, and RCN Cable providers.
• Or via over-the-air television stations from: Boston, New Bedford and Providence, Rhode Island; with reception methods powerful enough to receive it.

Cable

• MVTV: Martha's Vineyard Community Television (Comcast Channels 6, 8, 9)