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Martha's Vineyard History

A popular Martha's Vineyard museum and historical attraction is the Flying Horses Carousel.Sometimes when on vacation you learn something new. Maybe it’s trying a new activity or new type of cuisine at a local restaurant, and sometimes you learn something new about the area you’re visiting. Located in Edgartown, Vineyard Square Hotel & Suites is surrounded by Martha’s Vineyard history, and the best way to experience it is by visiting an area museum.

A Guide to Top Museums and Historical Landmarks

For being a small island, Martha’s Vineyard is filled with history. Learning about this history can give you a deeper understanding and appreciation for this popular New England destination.

  • While not a single museum, the African-American Heritage Trail of Matha’s Vineyard is comprised of 30 sites dedicated to the once unrecognized contributions of those of African descent to the island. Spend some time following the map to learn about the sites and their significance. 
  • Wander Martha’s Vineyard Museum, featuring historic buildings filled with exhibits from pre-Colonial to modern times. Hours vary depending on the season, so be sure to check opening and closing times before visiting this museum
  • Visit the oldest surviving one-room schoolhouse on the island when you stop by the Nathan Mayhew Schoolhouse. Built in 1828, this building was once used as a maritime museum.
  • See a 1927 and 1952 Mack fire truck at the Edgartown Fire Museum, which is open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. May until October. 
  • Located in nearby Oak Bluffs, the Mariposa Museum looks at American history and experience through the work of storytellers, artists, and scholars of color. This museum is open seasonally, so be sure to check current hours before visiting.
  • See what life on the island has been like throughout four centuries by exploring the Vincent House & Gardens. This house was built in 1672 and moved to its current location in the late 1970s.
  • Constructed in 1976 and moved to Oak Bluffs in 1884, the Flying Horses Carousel is the oldest platform carousel in the county. In fact, it’s only one of two Dare carousels still in existence. 

Talk with our knowledgeable concierge staff for more recommendations on historical points of interest.

Take a Step Back in Time during a New England Getaway

Helpful front desk staff at a hotel like this one can help point you in the direction of a nearby Martha's Vineyard museum.Overlooking the historic waterfront district of Edgartown, Vineyard Square Hotel & Suites is the perfect home base for a quintessential New England vacation. Be close to everything Martha’s Vineyard has to offer, including historic landmarks, captivating museums, and sandy beaches

Our luxurious accommodations come in a range of price points, which means you can find something that fits your budget. During your stay, be sure to take advantage of our on-site amenities, including board games, bike rental, in-season continental breakfast, and more. To learn more about our Edgartown hotel and current offers, call 508-627-4711

Visit Local Farms on Martha’s Vineyard
The Best Things to Do in Martha’s Vineyard for Solo Travelers
What to Know about the Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival
Plan a Visit to the Martha’s Vineyard Food and Wine Festival
Where to Get the Best Pizza on Martha’s Vineyard Near Edgartown
Explore Memorable Things to Do & See in West Tisbury
Spend a Day at the Manuel F. Correllus State Forest
See the Next Big Thing at a Martha’s Vineyard Film Festival

Time by Michael Fillion-resized-600

I had to do some soul searching this month.  Martha’s Vineyard seemed to be over-run with people who I haven’t seen in 6+  years – it gave me pause as I realized that, while they are all living in different cities, doing different jobs and living very different lives than they were when I last saw them, my life here on the Vineyard is pretty much the same as it was when they left.  I’m in the same job, married to the same man, hanging in more or less the same places with many of the same folks as I was 6 years ago.  In fact, this past week saw my 9 year anniversary working at the Colonial Inn.
At first this made me feel a little sad – ‘Gosh my life is so boring’ and then I realized – ‘Hey, I live on Martha’s Vineyard! Predictability is our strength!’.  Don’t you love it when you visit and the same person is there to check you in at the Inn as you remember from your last stay? You get the same waitress in your favorite restaurant (and the restaurant is still there with your favorite dish still on the menu!). It feels good to know that you can go to your favorite coffee shop, your favorite store and favorite beach and it will be just the way you remember it.  This is why so many people come to Martha’s Vineyard every year, and have done for many years – you feel right back at home!  I LOVE when a family checks in at the Inn who first stayed with us as honeymooners and now they are bringing their kids on their first visit to the Vineyard. Then we see the kids grow up, heck, we even recruit some as staff eventually!
I love the fact that so many of our guests greet us as old friends.  We sit down for a coffee and catch up on the year’s happenings, how the kids and dogs are and what books we have all been reading.  The familiarity and comfort are what make this place great.  Go on, I dare you to watch Jaws and not spend your time pointing out locations that look just as familiar to viewers now as they did when the movie was released in 1974.
More than that, I love that I go into the coffee shop and they ask how my visit with my mom was, I go to the bank and they ask how the dog is doing and predictably I go to a bar where everybody knows my name.  I’m at home, Scottish by birth but on Martha’s Vineyard on purpose.  I don’t want to be another face in the crowd, a cubicle dweller in the city.  I like my familiar, less dramatic life. Martha’s Vineyard is a bit like your favorite faded jeans – sure you’ve changed a little over the years, there’s a bit more (or less) of you than before, the shape is a little different but it still fits!  Now don’t get me wrong, sometimes there’s a little extra glitter here, or a new style there but essentially, in the heart of it all, the Vineyard is just the same as it ever was and it is great!

 

Visit Local Farms on Martha’s Vineyard
The Best Things to Do in Martha’s Vineyard for Solo Travelers
What to Know about the Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival
Plan a Visit to the Martha’s Vineyard Food and Wine Festival
Where to Get the Best Pizza on Martha’s Vineyard Near Edgartown
Explore Memorable Things to Do & See in West Tisbury
Spend a Day at the Manuel F. Correllus State Forest
See the Next Big Thing at a Martha’s Vineyard Film Festival

Whaling Church1-resized-196Have the kids not come up with a theme for “What I Did on my Summer Vacation”, or are you just not up to another day at the beach? The Martha’s Vineyard Preservation Trust, in partnership with the Martha’s Vineyard Museum, have come up with a solution to not only these dilemmas, but many others as well. Grab the family or a friend, buy a $15 ticket for entrance to their Edgartown properties, and spend an educational and fun day soaking in some of Martha’s Vineyard’s past and present.

The pass will get you into The Martha’s Vineyard Museum, where you could easily spend the entire day making your way through the historical objects, documents, books, photographs, paintings and exhibits.

You can also enjoy The Old Whaling Church on Main Street. It is a magnificent Greek Revival structure, originally built for the Methodist whaling captains and which now serves a perfect venue for weddings, concerts, and lectures.

Next to the church, stop in at The Dr. Daniel Fisher House, an elegant1840 Federal style residence, now used for private parties, and many of the receptions for the church’s weddings.

Stroll through the manicured, vast grounds back to The Vincent House, the Island’s oldest residence, which has been restored to its original beauty with period antiques that represent life on Martha’s Vineyard during the last four centuries.

Now make your way to the harbor and peruse the exquisite art of Island artists at The Old Sculpin Gallery, which is also a museum and historic property. In other lives it has been a sail loft, a grain store, a whale oil factory, and a boat builder’s shed. Sounds like a haven for interesting and talented ghosts to me!

Finish your tour by following the harbor down North Water Street, past all the stately old whaling captain’s homes, to The Edgartown Lighthouse, built in 1881 to safely guide the whalers back home. It’s a delightfully peaceful spot to end and reflect on your new appreciation of Martha’s Vineyard history and lore.

Editor’s Note: The Colonial Inn is offerring a Martha’s Vineyard History Package for fall that combines all of the above with 2 nights room accomodations for 2, continental breakfast, and a 2 1/2 hour narrated bus tour of the entire island.  It’s a great value!

Visit Local Farms on Martha’s Vineyard
The Best Things to Do in Martha’s Vineyard for Solo Travelers
What to Know about the Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival
Plan a Visit to the Martha’s Vineyard Food and Wine Festival
Where to Get the Best Pizza on Martha’s Vineyard Near Edgartown
Explore Memorable Things to Do & See in West Tisbury
Spend a Day at the Manuel F. Correllus State Forest
See the Next Big Thing at a Martha’s Vineyard Film Festival