The Martha's Vineyard Museum and Historical Society is devoted to the history and culture of this small Massachusetts island. Explore the island's fascinating past and learn about the people who lived here. The historical society first came together in 1922. Today, the museum and society are housed in historical buildings that are wonderful to walk through. Visitors to this museum can trace back their ancestry through the Historical Society's extensive genealogical services. There are special exhibits, classes, seminars, workshops, and movies hosted here throughout the year.
High atop the beautiful cliffs of Gay Head rests a magnificent lighthouse. It has been operational since 1799 and stands at a height of 51 feet (15 meters). In the year 2015 due to erosion problems, it was necessary to move the lighthouse 129 feet (39 meters) back from where it was originally built. From the top of the lighthouse you can still enjoy beautiful views of the sea, the Aquinnah cliffs and nearby areas. The lighthouse is open seasonally and is open to public only during designated hours, hence it is advisable to call before visiting.
A rustic, bright red barn is home to this popular gallery, which houses work by a number of internationally recognized artists, including the famous photographers Margaret Bourke-White, Carl Mydans, and Alfred Eisenstaedt. The gallery is known for its weekly Sunday afternoon receptions with featured artists in the courtyard sculpture garden. In addition to paintings and sculptures, the gallery offers antiques as well. Artwork may be ordered from the gallery's website but a visit to its ever-changing collection is recommended.
When you're on Martha's Vineyard and craving a pint, stop by the Offshore Ale Company for a locally-brewed beer and a bite to eat. The menu features all sorts of pub favorites like seafood, burgers and pizza, including a never-ending supply of peanuts. There's always live music and special events, so check out their schedule for the latest goings-on. Don't forget to toss those peanut shells directly on the floor - it's encouraged!
This community-based theater, built in 1833, develops, produces and presents extraordinary professional performances for the entire family. A non-profit theater company, The Vineyard Playhouse Company, Inc., makes its home here and puts on stage shows, readings, educational programs and theater for both adults and children year-round. In addition, there are special events and guest appearances, festivals and benefits. See website for schedule and cost.
The Meetinghouse is a community center for the arts. The goal is to bring the community together to support and encourage literary, visual and performing arts. The center offers free afternoon programs for young children as well as evening and weekend workshops for adults and teenagers. In addition, The Featherstone features concerts, gallery shows, art and history exhibits, lectures and performances.
Located on the second floor of the Tisbury Town Hall, the Katharine Cornell Theater is named for the great 20th-century stage actress who retired to Martha's Vineyard in the 1950s. Many of the performances are of Irish music and this small theater is the perfect intimate setting for these types of shows. There are only a handful of performances held here throughout the year, but each of them gets you in the spirit for the sounds of the Emerald Isle.
North Shore Charters offers avid fishing fans and sportsmen a great way to enjoy a day out on the water. Located on the island of Martha's Vineyard, Menemsha, a fishing village has a long history of charter fishing. North Shore Charters conducts both inshore and off shore trips for the best chances to experience a fulfilling trip. With the inshore option anglers looking to catch bluefish and striped bass can charter the boat for half day at USD650 or full day at USD1300; while off shore fishing expeditions of up to 10 hours are offered for tuna, marlin, mahi mahi and shark. For both experienced anglers as well as family and group outings, the company is perfect for a fun day out or big game fishing. The charter is operated from May to October.
The Martha’s Vineyard Sharks are the 2013 champions of the Futures League. They play their home games at the Vineyard Baseball Park, alternately known as “The Shark Tank,” on the campus of Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School. The playing field was built specifically for the Sharks, and is one of only two full sized baseball diamonds on the island of Martha’s Vineyard. The ownership of the Sharks have invested $415,000 in the building of the field and improvements to the facility. Before serving as home to the Sharks, the Cape Cod League would hold a few games per season on the island.
Guyer Art Barn situated in the heart of Hyannis is an art gallery, workspace and a common meeting point for all the artists in the neighborhood. The exhibitions at this art gallery feature the work of talented local artists giving them the opportunity to display their artistic prowess. Various workshops and art classes are organized by experts in the field for the up and coming artists in the neighborhood who wish to learn from the best. Guyer Art Barn, apart from visual arts, also promotes performing arts and plays host to theater shows and concerts on a regular basis.
The original lighthouse, constructed in 1785, was a wooden structure that was built to support the then-important port of Sandy Point. However, the historical tower was destroyed in the 1984 hurricane, and after a few years, a 70-foot (21-meter) replica was built near the site of the old tower to conserve the island's historical character. It is now part of the Coskata-Coatue Wildlife Refuge, much of which is inaccessible by road unless you have a four-wheel drive vehicle. Nature history tours are offered, wherein visitors can climb up the tower and also explore the surrounding area.