Martha’s Vineyard | Location, History, Map, & Facts (2024)

FAQs

What's the history behind Martha's Vineyard? ›

Bartholomew Gosnold charted Martha's Vineyard for the British Crown in 1602 and is credited with naming it, supposedly after his infant daughter or mother-in-law (or both) and the wild grapes he found growing in profusion.

The oldest settlement on the island, Edgartown dates from 1642 and was incorporated in 1671 and named for Edgar, son of James II of England; the town had previously been called Nunnepog (Algonquian for “Fresh Pond”). In the 18th century Edgartown was the prosperous home port of many whaling vessels.

Martha's Vineyard is renowned for its stunning scenery – with rolling hills, wildflower fields, and miles of pristine coastline. It also has some of the best seafood restaurants in New England and numerous activities and attractions that cater to all types of interests.

Originally inhabited by the Wampanoag people, The Vineyard was purchased in 1641 by Englishman Thomas Mayhew. At the time, the island's population consisted solely of European and Native American people until enslaved West Africans arrived in the 1600s, working on the farms of European settlers.

Nearly 50 Millionaires on Martha's Vineyard: Data | Martha's Vineyard, MA Patch.

Is Martha's Vineyard privately owned? No. It is an island that is part of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Yes, there are property owners just like there are property owners in any other city, but those property owners do NOT own the island.

Nestled on the idyllic island of Martha's Vineyard, Vineyard Haven might look like a quaint coastal haven, but don't let its charming facade fool you—it's got a hefty price tag. In fact, it recently snagged the title of the most expensive place to live in the entire United States, according to a study by LendingTree.

The first Black people who came to the island were enslaved, servants, and – in the mid 1800s – whalers. (The Northeast was a prominent center of the whale oil trade at the time.) After the economy shifted towards more efficient forms of energy, Martha's Vineyard was reborn as a vacation destination.

It was caused by a recessively inherited genetic mutation that was traced to Kent county, England. Emigrants from that region, some of whom came specifically from an area called The Weald, settled on Martha's Vineyard in the late 17th century.

Some of the best sights on Martha's Vineyard are open to the public, and don't cost a thing! If you're looking to explore the Island, these are some of the best spots to have on your list: Making the trek out to Aquinnah can take a bit of time, whether you have a car, or are taking the bus.

Is Martha's Vineyard expensive? ›

As a result of its popularity and well to do visitors, Martha's Vineyard is by no means a cheap destination.

The Vineyard is home to roughly 24,000 year-round residents. During the summer months, the population increases to nearly 200,000. Approximately sixty-three percent of all homes on the Vineyard belong to seasonal residents. ​How do I get to Martha's Vineyard?

One narrative asserts that the name “Inkwell” was used as a pejorative by some whites to describe a beach in Oak Bluffs primarily populated by African Americans from the turn of the century through the Jim Crow era.

Originally called Noepe, or “land between the streams” by the indigenous inhabitants of the Wampanoag Native American Tribe, the Island was renamed in 1602 by a British explorer named Bartholomew Gosnold, who named it after his daughter Martha and the viney undergrowth found along the coast.

The Martha's Vineyard Wampanoags called the island Noepe, meaning "Dry Land amid Waters," a prescient name given their traditional endeavors of farming and fishing.

Did you know that sign language was once treasured on Martha's Vineyard? The first Deaf person settled on the island in 1694. Due to isolated communities and intermarriage, the number of Deaf people grew. The last Deaf resident passed away in 1952.

Native American camps that carbon-date to 2270 B.C.E. have been uncovered on the Island. The Wampanoag people have lived for thousands of years on the island of Martha's Vineyard. Despite the Island's declared neutrality, the people rallied to the Patriot cause and formed companies to defend their homeland.