Additional Information About Martha's Vineyard
The first inhabitants of the Island were Native Americans and archaeological remains indicate that they have inhabited the Island for at least 5,000 years. The Wampanoag people whom the white settlers found established on the Island in the early 1600s had a sound economy based on agriculture and fishing. Some of their descendants still live on the Island. The name Wampanoag means 'Easterners' while the Wampanoag name for the Island is Noepe, which means 'island in the streams.'
Legend has it that in 1602, the English explorer, Bartholomew Gosnold, who was charting New England waters, came upon a beautiful island where he found a perfusion of grapes growing wild. He named the island for these vines and his baby daughter, Martha.
There are six towns on Martha's Vineyard; three up-Island towns: Aquinnah, Chilmark and West Tisbury and three down-Island towns: Vineyard Haven, Oak Bluffs and Edgartown (which includes Chappaquiddick). The terms up-Island and down-Island are nautical references to digress of longitude designated on a maps and charts.
Aquinnah (Gay Head) is home to the Wampanoag Tribe, the only federally recognized Native American tribe in Massachusetts. This recognition has resulted in a government-to-government relationship between the United States and the Wampanoag Tribal Council. On May 14, 1997 voters in the town of Gay Head decided to change the name of the town to Aquinnah. This change was signed into law on May 7, 1998.
Chilmark is known for its rolling hills and unmatched coastline. Before the days when the Coastguard looked out for shipwrecked vessels, Vineyarders took it upon themselves to form volunteer groups that provided assistance to sailors in times of need. The open dories, one of which was provided by the Massachusetts Humane Society, were launched into stormy seas from Squibnocket Landing, the only beach on the south shore shallow enough for boats to be landed or launched in heavy weather.
Edgartown was the Island's first colonial settlement and has been the county seat since 1642. The town is renowned for its stately, white Greek Revival and Federal houses built by whaling captains. The distinctive architecture preserves the ambience of the 19th century seaport to the present day.
Oak Bluffs, formerly known as Cottage City from the many gingerbread cottages which are still found there, is also home to the Flying Horses Carousel, the oldest operating merry-go-round in the United States. The horses were hand-carved in New York City in 1876. This Historic Landmark is maintained by the Martha's Vineyard Preservation Trust that manages this and several other historic sites on the Island.
The town of Tisbury, also known as Vineyard Haven, was one of New England's busiest ports in the 1800s. At that time, the area around the harbor was known as Holmes Hole and was a convenient anchorage for ships traveling between the East Coast of the United States and Europe. In those days, most of the coastwise shipping traveled through Vineyard Sound. In 1845 13,814 vessels were counted.
West Tisbury, incorporated in 1892, was the 'industrial' heart of the Island, as it was home to the Island's grist mill, a clay works, a salt works, extensive trap fishing operations and a manufacturing center for sati net, a heavy, Island-made, woolen fabric used to make whale men’s jackets.
Martha's Vineyard is part of the County of Dukes County, which also includes the Elizabeth Islands and Noman's Land. There are seven towns in Dukes County, the six Vineyard towns and the town of Gosnold on Cuttyhunk Island, the most southerly of the Elizabeth Islands. The population of Martha's Vineyard is approximately 14,248 year round and 105,625 during the summer.
CONSERVATION AREAS
The Island has a large number of natural areas that have been conserved to protect wildlife habitat, safeguard drinking water, encourage agriculture, and foster public appreciation for our open space resources. Many of these areas are open for the use and enjoyment of residents and visitors at no charge. The Martha's Vineyard Land Bank map that shows all of the Island's conservation areas is available at the Land Bank office (627-7141) on Upper Main Street in Edgartown.
When visiting our beaches or other conservation areas, please watch out for poison ivy and be alert to ticks year-round, particularly from April to October. Protect yourself by wearing trousers tucked into your socks when walking in grassy or brush areas. Use tick repellant on pets and check both yourself and your pets for ticks when returning from nature walks.
Have you ever heard a pinkletink call? The mating call of this tiny creature is a much welcomed harbinger of spring on the Island. Also known as a spring peeper or tree frog, you can most often hear their happy chorus in wetland areas on early spring evenings.
WHERE ARE THE...
Public Bathrooms
Aquinnah: near the parking area on the Cliffs (seasonal)
Edgartown: at the Visitor's Center on Church St., just off Main St.; the Edgartown Town Hall; in the middle and at the two ends of South Beach at the changing rooms (seasonal)
Menemsha: across from the fish market (seasonal)
Oak Bluffs: next to the SSA terminal; on Kennebec Ave. near the post office; on the harbor next to Our Market (all seasonal)
Vineyard Haven: at the SSA terminal on Water St.; in the A&P parking lot off Water St. (seasonal)
West Tisbury: at the Grange Hall building next to the Town Hall (seasonal)
Showers
Edgartown: the Visitor's Center on Church Street, Edgartown Marine on Morse Street. Oak Bluffs: in the bath house at the Harbor next to Our Market and at the Wesley Hotel (both seasonal)
Vineyard Haven: shower privileges may be purchased at the Tisbury Inn Health Club on Main Street.
ATMs
Bank Boston (ATM only), Post Office Square, Edgartown;
Bank of Martha's Vineyard (A division of Sovereign Bank) -- Main Street, Vineyard Haven; Oak Bluffs Avenue, Oak Bluffs; Main Street, Edgartown; Up-Island Cronigs, State Road, West Tisbury;
Dukes County Savings, corner of Circuit and Uncas Avenues, Oak Bluffs;
Edgartown National Bank--South Water Street, Edgartown; Upper Main Street, Edgartown; Park Ave. Mall, Oak Bluffs; Main Street, Vineyard Haven;
A&P stores Upper Main Street, Edgartown and Water Street, Vineyard Haven; SSA terminal building, Oak Bluffs (seasonal);
Martha's Vineyard Cooperative Bank --Main Street, Vineyard Haven, State Road, West Tisbury, Martha's Vineyard Airport, Oak Bluffs Avenue, Oak Bluffs (next to the Flying Horses).
Visitor Information Centers
The Chamber of Commerce (508 693-0085) is located on Beach Road, Vineyard Haven. In season, the Chamber also has an information booth at the SSA terminal in Vineyard Haven. In Oak Bluffs information can be obtained at the booth located at the foot of Circuit Avenue (seasonal). The Edgartown Visitor's Center is Located on Church Street.
Bus & Shuttle Service
The Martha's Vineyard Transit Authority maintains year round, Island-wide bus routes with varying levels of service depending on the season. Major down Island terminal points include the SSA terminal and Park 'n Ride in Vineyard Haven, Ocean Park in Oak Bluffs and the Visitor's Center in Edgartown. Additionally, in season, the company provides fair weather service via the South Beach trolley from downtown Edgartown. Schedules can be obtained by calling 508 627-7448, from drivers and at information Centers. Several companies offer bus tours of the Island lasting about 2½ hours. These buses typically meet arriving ferries in season. Contact numbers are listed in the phone directory or at information centers.
Taxis
Meet every ferry and every scheduled flight to the Island.
Alcoholic Beverages
Can be served in restaurants or purchased in liquor stores only in Oak Bluffs and Edgartown only. Contact restaurants in other towns regarding their policies on bringing your own alcoholic beverages.
Emergency Numbers
Martha's Vineyard Hospital - 508 693-0410
For an Emergency you may dial - 911
For urgency, not emergency dial - 311 |
