Destination Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts Cruises
Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts is an island located in the Atlantic on the southeastern coast of the state and it is about 4 miles across Vineyard Sound from the mainland. The island is 20 miles long and approximately 2-10 miles wide and it sits 311 feet above sea level. The eastern end of the island is where the ferry port is located in Vineyard Haven. The beaches are absolutely beautiful and there are so many activities like swimming, kayaking, windsurfing, and more!
The namesake Martha's Vineyard comes from early British navigators named Bartholomew Gosnold and Gabriel Archer in 1602. When they explored the island they found it had an abundance of vines, and Gosnold's daughter was named Martha. The indigenous Wampanoag Indians originally called the island Noepe which means "land amid the streams". `The island was purchased in 1641 by Thomas Mayhew and the following year it was settled. It was originally counted as part of New York but in 1962 Massachusetts ceded it.
The island is well known for its fishing and whaling enterprises out of Edgartown which was once the world's largest sperm-oil candle factory. The island is also a huge summer yachting and tourism town. In the center of the island you will find the Martha's VIneyard State Forest, and the ever popular Aquinnah historic lighthouse. The island is also known for having the country's oldest operating carousel called the Flying Horses Carousel which was built 1876.
The area has an architectural style of Carpenter Gothic cottages, lighthouses and an iconic carousel. This popular summer destination is the 58th largest island in the United States.
The island is one of the first known deaf communities in the U.S and the Martha's Vineyard Sign Language was created there.
The cost of living on the island is approximately 60% higher than the national average and 96% higher housing prices.
The namesake Martha's Vineyard comes from early British navigators named Bartholomew Gosnold and Gabriel Archer in 1602. When they explored the island they found it had an abundance of vines, and Gosnold's daughter was named Martha. The indigenous Wampanoag Indians originally called the island Noepe which means "land amid the streams". `The island was purchased in 1641 by Thomas Mayhew and the following year it was settled. It was originally counted as part of New York but in 1962 Massachusetts ceded it.
The island is well known for its fishing and whaling enterprises out of Edgartown which was once the world's largest sperm-oil candle factory. The island is also a huge summer yachting and tourism town. In the center of the island you will find the Martha's VIneyard State Forest, and the ever popular Aquinnah historic lighthouse. The island is also known for having the country's oldest operating carousel called the Flying Horses Carousel which was built 1876.
The area has an architectural style of Carpenter Gothic cottages, lighthouses and an iconic carousel. This popular summer destination is the 58th largest island in the United States.
The island is one of the first known deaf communities in the U.S and the Martha's Vineyard Sign Language was created there.
The cost of living on the island is approximately 60% higher than the national average and 96% higher housing prices.
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Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts is a Port of Call for the following New England Cruises:
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Things to do in Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts
GAY HEAD LIGHTHOUSE
The first lighthouse constructed on Martha's Vineyard was the Gay Head Lighthouse in 1796. The whaling industry was booming with maritime traffic on the rise so the need for a lighthouse was imminent. Congress allocated $570 to erect the light in 1799. For more information check out their website: http://www.gayheadlight.org/
The first lighthouse constructed on Martha's Vineyard was the Gay Head Lighthouse in 1796. The whaling industry was booming with maritime traffic on the rise so the need for a lighthouse was imminent. Congress allocated $570 to erect the light in 1799. For more information check out their website: http://www.gayheadlight.org/
OLD WHALING CHURCH
The Old Whaling Church is testament to the extraordinary wealth the whaling and fishing industry brought to Martha's Vineyard. The local mariners funded and helped build the church. For more information check out their website https://vineyardtrust.org/property/old-whaling-church/
Get to know Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts
- In 1969, Ted Kennedy drove off a bridge in Chappaquiddick and subsequently Mary Jo Kopechne perished.
- As of 2010, the population in Martha's Vineyard was approximately 15,000. In the summertime, it increases to 100,000 people.
- About 56% of the homes are occupied by seasonal
- There are no Starbucks or McDonald's on Martha's Vineyard
- Several celebrities and VIP's have summer homes on the island like Bill and Hillary Clinton, Walter Cronkite, and Henry Louis Gates.
Updated 01/13/21 - pl