Explore Martha's Vineyard Towns

Tisbury is named for Martha's Vineyard Governor Mayhew's home town in Wiltshire, England. Around 1673, the settlers of the Vineyard grew disenchanted with the governance of Governor Mayhew and petitioned the new governor of New York, appointed by William and Mary, the rulers of England at the time, for a change in leadership.  Tisbury was incorporated as a town in 1671. Vineyard Haven is a community within the town of Tisbury on Martha’s Vineyard. Vineyard Haven is the main port of entry to Martha's Vineyard, and one of the three main population centers (with Edgartown and Oak Bluffs). The Steamship Authority wharf is located in Vineyard Haven, at which ferries arrive and d... Click for more ...

6 ½ miles southwest of Vineyard Haven, 12 miles northeast of Aquinnah. Founded in the 1670’s by settlers from Edgartown, among them the son of Myles Standish and the son-in-law of the Mayflower Alden’s, West Tisbury was known for its first 200 Westernized years simply as Tisbury.  Most important among the settlement’s advantages over "Down Island" outposts was a strong flowing stream that ran into a pond, creating a perfect mill site which was a rarity on the Vineyard.  Farming, especially sheep farming, became West Tisbury’s mainstay. West Tisbury still retains its rural appeal and its rich agricultural traditions. There are several active horse and produce farms... Click for more ...

Edgartown a "down Island town"  is located about 6 miles southeast of Oak Bluffs and 9 miles southeast of Vineyard Haven (the other "down Island towns"). The Vineyard First Governor Thomas Mayhew landed in Edgartown in 1642 the town was officially named in 1651. First called Great Harbor, it was renamed for political reasons about 30 years later after the young son of the Duke of York.  Edgartown has many historic buildings lining the streets of the downtown area. The Old Whaling Church was built in 1843 as a Methodist Church, it is now used as a performing arts center and also holds the occasional town meeting.  Right next door is the Daniel Fisher House built in 1840 and ... Click for more ...

Oak Bluffs is a bustling seaside town on the Island of Martha's originally known as a farming community in 1660's when it was purchased from the Wampanoag Indian Tribe. It wasn't until the early 1830's that Oak Bluffs started becoming the famous vacation destination that it is still known as today. It started with the Methodists who began holding summer revivalist meetings in a stand of Oaks known as Wesleyan Grove, named for the father of Methodism John Wesley . As the meetings caught on Campers began to build wooden "tents" that still exist in the town's center thus creating what is known as The Martha's Vineyard Camp Meeting Association. Oak Bluffs is a diverse town that is... Click for more ...