Martha's Vineyard

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. The island is part of Dukes County, Massachusetts and includes the peninsula Chappaquiddick Island.

The island's population has grown since the 1960s. In 2023, about 20,530 people live there year-round. During the summer, many more people visit, and the population grows to over 200,000. Many homes are only used in the summer.

The island was likely named after Bartholomew Gosnold's mother-in-law, Martha (Judde) Golding. She helped pay for his trip in 1602. It was once called Martin's Vineyard, but today it is officially Martha's Vineyard.

History

Pre-European settlement

The island was first home to the Wampanoag people. They called the island Noepe, meaning "land amid the streams."

Colonial era

European settlers arrived when Thomas Mayhew bought Martha's Vineyard, Nantucket, and the Elizabeth Islands from two New England settlers. 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.

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. The island became famous when director Steven Spielberg filmed the movie Jaws there in 1974.

African American history

Martha's Vineyard has a long history with 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.

Hereditary deafness and sign language

For many generations, some 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 because of the nearby Atlantic Ocean. This helps keep the weather comfortable all year.

Winters are cool but not very cold. January temperatures are just above freezing, and there is only about 25 inches of snow each year. Summers are warm and sometimes humid, with temperatures usually in the 70s°F. It only gets into the 90s°F sometimes.

Spring and fall are nice seasons for change. Fall often feels a bit warmer than spring. The island gets about 47 inches of rain each year, spread evenly through all seasons. This makes Martha's Vineyard a great place to visit or live, with comfortable weather most of the time.

Towns

Martha's Vineyard has six towns. Each town is run by a group of leaders called a Board of Selectmen, chosen by voters. These towns work together on important jobs, like schools and safety.

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 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 reach the island by ferry. Today, the Martha's Vineyard Transit Authority runs buses all year across the island.

You can get to Martha's Vineyard by ferry. The Steamship Authority runs ferries from Woods Hole all year, 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 long been a place people like to visit. In the past, when whaling was popular, rich sea captains built large homes there. Today, many people enjoy spending their summers on the island, and famous visitors often come too.

The island has about 20,530 people who live there year-round, but in the summer, the number grows to around 200,000 with many visitors arriving on ferries. The busiest times are around July 4 and the Agricultural Fair in late August. Summer usually runs from June through Labor Day weekend.

Martha's Vineyard is famous for its special wine area, where grapes are grown to make local wine. The island offers many fun activities, such as the Grand Illumination in Oak Bluffs, film festivals, a carousel, and a skatepark. It is also a home for artists, writers, and musicians. Many famous people have enjoyed the island's quiet and peaceful surroundings.

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 come 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)