Martha's Vineyard Travel Guide

Martha's Vineyard is an island off the southern coast of Cape Cod, Massachusetts and makes up most of the County of Dukes County, Massachusetts. (The rest of the County consists of Cuttyhunk and the Elizabeth Islands). It was home to one of the earliest known deaf communities, and as such a special dialect of sign language, Martha's Vineyard Sign Language, developed on the island. Originally inhabited by the Wampanoag Indians, it was known in their language as Noepe, or 'land amid the streams'.

Like the nearby island Nantucket, Martha's Vineyard was brought to prominence in the 19th century by the whaling industry, sending ships around the world to hunt whales for their oil and blubber. The discovery of petroleum in Pennsylvania, producing a cheaper way to fuel lights, led to an almost complete collapse of the industry by 1870. The island struggled financially through the Great Depression, but since then its reputation as a resort for tourists and the wealthy has continued to grow.

Tried to secede from the United States of America to become a independent nation along with the island of Nantucket. The movie Jaws was recorded here in 1975.

Martha's Vineyard is a "region" with several "cities" of different character, including Edgartown, Oak Bluffs, Vineyard Haven and Menemsha.  Edgartown is the largest town, and the departure point to reach Chappaquiddick (Chappy).  Memensha is a less-known fishing town that provides the feel of the rest of the island perhaps 50 years ago.  There are five picturesque lighthouses on the island, from Chappy to Aquinnah (Gay Head).

Ferries to the island leave from a number of ports, with the most departures from Wood's Hole (Falmouth).  Taking an automobile across requires an advanced reservation, and is quite expensive.