Martha's Vineyard Museum
A Finding Aid to the Tourism on Martha's Vineyard Collection, 1838-2006, undated
Table of Contents
- Summary Information
- Biography/Historical Note
- Scope and Content of Collection
- Administrative Information
- Related Materials
- Index Terms
- Contents of Collection
- Series I: 1860-1899
- Series II: 1900-1949
- Series III: 1950-1959
- Series IV: 1960-1969
- Series V: 1970-1979
- Series VI: 1980-1989
- Series VII: 1990-1999
- Series VIII: 2000 or after
- Series IX: Undated
- Series X: Additions to collection
Descriptive Summary
| Repository | Martha's Vineyard Museum
Gale Huntington Research Library 59 School Street P.O. Box 1310 Edgartown, MA 02539 (508)627-4441 |
|---|---|
| Call Number | RU 229 |
| Title | Tourism on Martha's Vineyard Collection |
| Date [inclusive] | 1838-2006, undated |
| Extent | 11.5 boxes (5.796 cubic feet) |
| Location | For current information on the location of these materials, please consult the library's staff. |
| Language | The materials are in English. |
| Abstract | This collection spans nearly 150 years’ worth of information dealing with tourism on Martha’s Vineyard. Within each series are tourist guides, newspaper and magazine articles, and additional information on the Island. Of note are the late 19th century “Souvenir Books” with early illustrations or photographs of Vineyard attractions. |
Administrative Information
Access Restrictions
There are no restrictions.
Use and Reproduction Restrictions
Requests to reproduce material from this collection should be directed to the library's staff. Reproduction fees may apply.
Preferred Citation
Martha's Vineyard Museum, RU 229, Tourism on Martha's Vineyard Collection.
Acquisition Information
- Gift of Janet Swift in 1975 (Accession no. 1975.004). [Donation]
- Gift of Virginia R. Robinson in 1989 (Accession no. 1989.039). [Donation]
- Gift of Marion W. Leavens in 1991 (Accession no. 1991.093). [Donation]
Individual folders are labeled with accession numbers when known. The immediate source of acquisition and date of accession for the rest of the material is unknown.
Publication Information
Martha's Vineyard Museum
Gale Huntington Research Library59 School Street
P.O. Box 1310
Edgartown, MA 02539
(508)627-4441
Revision Description
Addition to the Collection; Addition of Series X: Additions to collection, [CJ]. Re-housed and re-foldered some of the original material, expanded date statement, [CJ], August 2015
Processing Information
Finding aid prepared by Julia Novakovic in 2011 and machine-encoded by Clint Johnson in August 2015.
Related Materials
Related Materials
- See also, RU 429, Nantucket Tourism Collection, 1873-1964
Index Terms
Corporate Name(s)
- Martha's Vineyard Chamber of Commerce
- Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket Steamship Authority
Genre(s)
- Advertisements
- Brochures
- Clippings (information artifacts)
- Pamphlets
- Souvenir albums
- Tourist maps
- Travel guidebooks
- Viewbooks
Geographic Name(s)
- Cottage City (Mass.)
- Dukes County (Mass.)
- Edgartown (Mass.)
- Gay Head (Mass.)
- Marthas Vineyard (Mass.)
- Oak Bluffs (Mass.)
- Tisbury (Mass. : Town)
- Vineyard Haven (Mass.)
Personal Name(s)
- Eaton, Walter Prichard, 1878-1957
Subject(s)
- Boston Region (Mass.)--Guidebooks
- Cape Cod (Mass.)--Description and travel
- Cape Cod (Mass.)--Guidebooks
- Martha's Vineyard Region (Mass.)--Maps.
- Martha's Vineyard (Mass.)--Social life and customs
- Massachusetts--Description and travel
- Striped bass fishing--Atlantic Coast (New England)
- Summer resorts--Massachusetts--Guidebooks
Biography/Historical Note
Martha’s Vineyard over the years has undergone several changes in its leading industries. In the colonial days, mission work was the most lucrative. Fishing, farming, and whaling soon made their way to the forefront of Island business. However, with the decline of the whaling industry and the affordability of mass transit taking place during the late 19th century, tourism to the Vineyard developed. Many marketing campaigns were created by the early 20th century, including one that declared that Martha’s Vineyard was “the Isle of Health.” The three Down-Island towns have always had specific attractions for tourists: sea-bathing in Oak Bluffs, historic homes in Edgartown, and shopping in Vineyard Haven, among other activities. Great restaurants, fine accommodations, and the beautiful scenery added to the allure of the Island. Tourism remains the dominant industry on Martha’s Vineyard today.
Scope and Content of Collection
This collection spans nearly 150 years’ worth of information dealing with tourism on Martha’s Vineyard; it is an artificial compilation, a result of many donors over the years. The 3.5 cubic feet of material comprises printed brochures, photographic booklets, transportation schedules, maps, advertisements, and more. Within each series are tourist guides, newspaper and magazine articles, and additional information on the Island. Of note are the late 19th century “Souvenir Books” with early illustrations or photographs of Vineyard attractions, as well as the oversized tourist guides to the Island.
Arrangement
- Series I: 1860-1899
- Subseries A: Tourist Guides
- Subseries B: Souvenir Books
- Subseries C: Transportation Information
- Subseries D: Island Business Advertisements
- Subseries E: Newspaper and Magazine Articles
- Series II: 1900-1949
- Subseries A: Tourist Guides
- Subseries B: Souvenir Books
- Subseries C: Transportation Information
- Subseries D: Island Business Advertisements
- Subseries E: Newspaper and Magazine Articles
- Series III: 1950-1959
- Subseries A: Tourist Guides
- Subseries B: Newspaper and Magazine Articles
- Subseries C: Additional Island Information
- Series IV: 1960-1969
- Subseries A: Tourist Guides
- Subseries B: Newspaper and Magazine Articles
- Subseries C: Additional Island Information
- Series V: 1970-1979
- Subseries A: Tourist Guides
- Subseries B: Newspaper and Magazine Articles
- Subseries C: Additional Island Information
- Series VI: 1980-1989
- Subseries A: Tourist Guides
- Subseries B: Newspaper and Magazine Articles
- Subseries C: Additional Island Information
- Series VII: 1990-1999
- Subseries A: Tourist Guides
- Subseries B: Newspaper and Magazine Articles
- Subseries C: Additional Island Information
- Series VIII: 2000 or after
- Subseries A: Tourist Guides
- Subseries B: Additional Island Information
- Series IX: Undated
- Subseries A: Tourist Guides
- Subseries B: Maps of Martha’s Vineyard
- Subseries C: Additional Island Information
- Series X: Additions to collection
Contents of Collection
Series I: 1860-1899, 1860-1899
|
||||
Subseries A: Tourist Guides
Scope and ContentThis Subseries contains published tourist guides to Martha’s Vineyard in conjunction with Cape Cod and Nantucket. The majority of these booklets also include a history of the Island, illustrations of attractions, how to reach the Island, and advertisements from local businesses. |
||||
| Box | Folder | |||
|
Martha's Vineyard and surrounding areas tourist guides, 1870-1879 |
1 | 1 | ||
|
Martha's Vineyard and surrounding areas tourist guides, 1880-1889 |
1 | 2 | ||
|
Martha's Vineyard and surrounding areas tourist guides, 1880-1889 |
1 | 3 | ||
|
Martha's Vineyard and surrounding areas tourist guides, 1890-1899 |
1 | 4 | ||
Subseries B: Souvenir Books
Scope and ContentThis Subseries contains published “souvenir books” from late-19th century Martha’s Vineyard. While most of these “portfolios” have simply illustrations and captions, some also include more lengthy descriptions of attractions on the Island. |
||||
| Box | Folder | |||
|
Martha's Vineyard souvenir books, 1880-1889 |
1 | 5 | ||
|
Martha's Vineyard souvenir books, 1890-1899 |
2 | 1 | ||
|
Martha's Vineyard souvenir books, 1890-1899 |
2 | 2 | ||
|
Martha's Vineyard souvenir books, circa 1890 |
2 | 3 | ||
Subseries C: Transportation Information
Scope and ContentThis Subseries contains published pamphlets and timetables from railroads and steamships, with information on travelers coming to Martha’s Vineyard from New Bedford, New York City, and Boston. |
||||
| Box | Folder | |||
|
Transportation information, circa 1870 |
2 | 4 | ||
|
Transportation information, 1880-1889 |
2 | 5 | ||
Subseries D: Island Business Advertisements
Scope and ContentThis Subseries contains printed materials relating to Island businesses from the late 19th century. These include flyers for events, early “business cards,” and information on Island hotels. |
||||
| Box | Folder | |||
|
Island Business advertisements, 1870-1899 |
2 | 6 | ||
|
Island Business advertisements, circa 1890 |
2 | 7 | ||
Subseries E: Newspaper and Magazine Articles
Scope and ContentThis Subseries contains travel articles in newspapers and magazines relating to Martha’s Vineyard and tourism in the late 19th century. |
||||
| Box | Folder | |||
|
Martha's Vineyard tourism clippings, 1859-1899 |
3 | 1 | ||
|
Martha's Vineyard tourism clippings, circa 1890s |
3 | 2 | ||
Series II: 1900-1949, 1900-1949
|
||||
Subseries A: Tourist Guides
Scope and ContentThis Subseries contains published tourist guides for Martha’s Vineyard, some in conjunction with Cape Cod and Nantucket. The majority of these booklets include a history of the Vineyard, photographs of attractions, ideas for transportation to the Island, and suggestions for accommodations on the Island. This period marks the campaign for Martha’s Vineyard as “The Isle of Health.” |
||||
| Box | Folder | |||
|
Martha's Vineyard tourist guides, 1910-1929 |
3 | 3 | ||
|
Martha's Vineyard tourist guides, 1910-1929 |
3 | 4 | ||
|
Martha's Vineyard tourist guides, 1930-1941 |
3 | 5 | ||
Subseries B: Souvenir Books
Scope and ContentThis Subseries contains published “souvenir books” or “souvenir letters” from the turn of the 20th century. These items show small, reproduced photographs of points of interest from all over the Island. |
||||
| Box | Folder | |||
|
Martha's Vineyard Souvenir books, 1904-1912 |
3 | 6 | ||
Subseries C: Transportation Information
Scope and ContentThis Subseries contains published pamphlets and schedules of steamboat and bus services to the Vineyard. |
||||
| Box | Folder | |||
|
Transportation information, 1909-1940 |
4 | 1 | ||
Subseries D: Island Business Advertisements
Scope and ContentThis Subseries contains printed materials relating to Island businesses during the early 20th century. Among these items are flyers for benefits, membership booklets to the Oak Bluffs Country Club, and a brochure containing over 30 leafs of individual business advertisements. |
||||
| Box | Folder | |||
|
Island Business advertisements, 1901-1930 |
4 | 2 | ||
|
Island Business advertisements, circa 1900 |
4 | 3 | ||
Subseries E: Newspaper and Magazine Articles
Scope and ContentThis Subseries contains travel articles from newspapers and magazines relating to Martha’s Vineyard in the early 20th century. |
||||
| Box | Folder | |||
|
Martha's Vineyard tourism clippings, |
4 | 4 | ||
|
Martha's Vineyard tourism clippings, circa 1900 |
4 | 5 | ||
Series III: 1950-1959, 1950-1959
|
||||
Subseries A: Tourist Guides
Scope and ContentThis Subseries contains published booklets by the Martha’s Vineyard Chamber of Commerce. These guides include Island information, places to stay, a brief history of the Island, business advertisements, and points of interest. In addition, published guides to fishing on Martha’s Vineyard are also included, with special sections on the Striped Bass Derby. |
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| Box | Folder | |||
|
Martha's Vineyard Island Official Guide booklets, 1950s |
4 | 6 | ||
|
The Salt Water Sportsman, 1950-1952 |
4 | 7 | ||
Subseries B: Newspaper and Magazine Articles
Scope and ContentThis Subseries contains travel articles from newspapers and magazines relating to Martha’s Vineyard during the 1950s. |
||||
| Box | Folder | |||
|
Martha's Vineyard tourism clippings, 1950s |
4 | 8 | ||
Subseries C: Additional Island Information
Scope and ContentThis Subseries contains printed materials on Island businesses, maps of the Vineyard, and other brief guides to attractions or accommodations. |
||||
| Box | Folder | |||
|
Additional Island information, 1950s |
4 | 9 | ||
Series IV: 1960-1969, 1960-1969
|
||||
Subseries A: Tourist Guides
Scope and ContentThis Subseries contains published booklets by the Martha’s Vineyard Chamber of Commerce. These guides include Island information, places to stay, a brief history of the Island, business advertisements, and points of interest. |
||||
| Box | Folder | |||
|
Martha's Vineyard Island Official Guide booklets, 1963-1970 NoteIncludes Steamship authority schedule for fall of 1959. |
4 | 10 | ||
Subseries B: Newspaper and Magazine Articles
Scope and ContentThis Subseries contains travel articles from newspapers and magazines relating to Martha’s Vineyard during the 1960s. |
||||
| Box | Folder | |||
|
Martha's Vineyard tourism clippings, 1965 |
5 | 1 | ||
Subseries C: Additional Island Information
Scope and ContentThis Subseries contains printed materials on Island hotel rates and a health care directory for visitors to the Vineyard. |
||||
| Box | Folder | |||
|
Additional Island information, 1960s |
5 | 2 | ||
Series V: 1970-1979, 1970-1979
|
||||
Subseries A: Tourist Guides
Scope and ContentThis Subseries contains published booklets by the Martha’s Vineyard Chamber of Commerce. These guides include Island information, places to stay, a brief history of the Island, business advertisements, and points of interest. In addition, there are also other Chamber of Commerce guides to the Vineyard, as well as a “Best Of” booklet. |
||||
| Box | Folder | |||
|
Martha's Vineyard Island Official Guide booklets, 1970-1979 |
5 | 3 | ||
|
Additional tourist guides, 1970s |
5 | 4 | ||
Subseries B: Newspaper and Magazine Articles
Scope and ContentThis Subseries contains travel articles from newspapers and magazines relating to Martha’s Vineyard during the 1970s. |
||||
| Box | Folder | |||
|
Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby materials, 1976, 1979 |
5 | 5 | ||
Subseries C: Additional Island Information
Scope and ContentThis Subseries contains materials dealing with the Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby, as well as maps, boat schedules, and parade programs. |
||||
| Box | Folder | |||
|
Additional Island information, 1970s |
5 | 6 | ||
Series VI: 1980-1989, 1980-1989
|
||||
Subseries A: Tourist Guides
Scope and ContentThis Subseries contains published booklets by the Martha’s Vineyard Chamber of Commerce. These guides include Island information, places to stay, a brief history of the Island, business advertisements, and points of interest. Also included in this section is a guide to the arts on Martha’s Vineyard, as well as a “Menu Guide” to the Island’s many restaurants. |
||||
| Box | Folder | |||
|
Martha's Vineyard Island Official Guide booklets, 1980s |
5 | 7 | ||
Subseries B: Newspaper and Magazine Articles
Scope and ContentThis Subseries contains travel articles from newspapers and magazines relating to Martha’s Vineyard during the 1980s. |
||||
| Box | Folder | |||
|
Martha's Vineyard tourism clippings, 1980s |
6 | 1 | ||
Subseries C: Additional Island Information
Scope and ContentThis Subseries contains materials dealing with the Island’s annual Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby. |
||||
| Box | Folder | |||
|
Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby materials, 1980s |
6 | 2 | ||
Series VII: 1990-1999, 1990-1999
|
||||
Subseries A: Tourist Guides
Scope and ContentThis Subseries contains published booklets by the Martha’s Vineyard Chamber of Commerce. These guides include Island information, places to stay, a brief history of the Island, business advertisements, and points of interest. Also included in this section are restaurant guides, a guidebook to the arts on Martha’s Vineyard, and an audio tour of the Island from 1991. |
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| Box | Folder | |||
|
The Island of Martha's Vineyard: Visitor's Guide, 1990s |
6 | 3 | ||
|
Additional tourist guides, 1990s |
6 | 4 | ||
|
Martha's Vineyard Audio tour, 1991 NoteIncludes audio cassette. |
6 | 5 | ||
Subseries B: Newspaper and Magazine Articles
Scope and ContentThis Subseries contains travel articles from newspapers and magazines relating to Martha’s Vineyard during the 1990s. |
||||
| Box | Folder | |||
|
Martha's Vineyard tourism clippings, 1990s |
6 | 6 | ||
Subseries C: Additional Island Information
Scope and ContentThis Subseries contains printed materials dealing with Vineyard businesses and hotels, as well as Island maps and bus/ferry schedules. |
||||
| Box | Folder | |||
|
Additional Island information, 1990s |
6 | 7 | ||
Series VIII: 2000 or after, 2000 or after
|
||||
Subseries A: Tourist Guides
Scope and ContentThis Subseries contains published booklets by the Martha’s Vineyard Chamber of Commerce. These guides include Island information, places to stay, a brief history of the Island, business advertisements, and points of interest. Also included in this section are several “Best Read Guides to Martha’s Vineyard,” an “Island Explorer,” and information on tourism during the winter season. |
||||
| Box | Folder | |||
|
The Island of Martha's Vineyard: Visitor's Guide, 2000-2006 |
6 | 8 | ||
|
Additional tourist guides, 2000s |
6 | 9 | ||
Subseries B: Additional Island Information
Scope and ContentThis Subseries contains printed materials dealing with Vineyard businesses and hotels, as well as Island maps and bus/ferry schedules. |
||||
| Box | Folder | |||
|
Additional Island information, 2000s |
7 | 1 | ||
Series IX: Undated, undated
|
||||
Subseries A: Tourist Guides
Scope and ContentThis Subseries contains tourist guides that are undated, but are probably from the early 20th century. These booklets usually include a history of the Island, illustrations or photographs of attractions, how to reach the Island, and advertisements from local businesses. |
||||
| Box | Folder | |||
|
Martha's Vineyard tourist guides, undated |
7 | 2 | ||
|
Martha's Vineyard and surrounding areas tourist guides, undated |
7 | 3 | ||
|
Martha's Vineyard tourist guides, undated |
7 | 4 | ||
Subseries B: Maps of Martha’s Vineyard
Scope and ContentThis Subseries contains many maps of the Island that are undated; some appear to be from the early 20th century, though many are more recent. |
||||
| Box | Folder | |||
|
Martha's Vineyard maps, undated |
7 | 5 | ||
|
Martha's Vineyard maps, undated |
8 | 1 | ||
|
Martha's Vineyard maps, undated |
8 | 2 | ||
Subseries C: Additional Island Information
Scope and ContentThis Subseries contains additional undated, printed material on Martha’s Vineyard. There are publications from the Chamber of Commerce, business advertisements, pamphlets on Island organizations, and information on fishing charters. |
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| Box | Folder | |||
|
Martha's Vineyard Chamber of Commerce publications, undated |
8 | 3 | ||
|
Island Organizations, Businesses, and Fishing information pamphlets, undated |
8 | 4 | ||
|
Accommodations and Miscellaneous Island Information pamphlets, undated |
8 | 5 | ||
Series X: Additions to collection, 1800-1957, undated
Scope and ContentThe series contains material from an archival survey of the Martha's Vineyard Museum's Collections added to collection in August 2015 including tourist guides, tourist souvenir books, clippings, publications, magazines, pamphlets, and brochures relating to tourism on Martha's Vineyard. ArrangementThe series is arranged in chronological order and followed by undated material. |
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| Box | Folder | |||
|
Edgartown diary of "Miss Eliza", circa 1838 |
11 | 1 | ||
|
Southern Massachusetts tourist guide, 1868 |
11 | 2 | ||
|
Illustrated New Bedford, Martha's Vineyard, and Nantucket, 1880 NoteIncludes photocopy of map originally printed in book. |
11 | 3 | ||
|
Martha's Vineyard souvenir books, 1880-1889 |
8 | 6 | ||
|
Martha's Vineyard souvenir books, 1880-1889 |
8 | 7 | ||
|
Martha's Vineyard souvenir books, 1880-1889 |
9 | 1 | ||
|
Boston (Mass.) guidebooks, 1880s |
9 | 2 | ||
|
Martha's Vineyard Tourist guides, 1889, 1897 |
9 | 3 | ||
|
Martha's Vineyard: It's History and Advantages as a Health and Summer Resort, 1889 |
11 | 4 | ||
|
Tashmoo booklet, 1899 |
11 | 5 | ||
|
Martha's Vineyard souvenir books, 1900-1920 |
9 | 4 | ||
|
Martha's Vineyard Tourist guides, 1900-1973 |
9 | 5 | ||
|
Edgartown pocket directory, 1901 January |
11 | 6 | ||
|
Pocket Business and Social Directory of Edgartown, 1901 January |
9 | 6 | ||
|
The Cottage City Calendar, 1905 |
11 | 7 | ||
|
Martha's Vineyard Calendar, 1912 |
11 | 8 | ||
|
Dukes County To-Day, 1915 |
9 | 7 | ||
|
Gazette newspaper clippings, 1920 December 23 |
11 | 9 | ||
|
Martha's Vineyard: The Isle of Health pamphlets, 1926 |
11 | 10 | ||
|
Fall River Line Journal, 1926-1934 |
9 | 8 | ||
|
This Week in Oak Bluffs…, 1929 |
10 | 1 | ||
|
Martha's Vineyard Informer pamphlets, 1929, 1930 |
10 | 2 | ||
|
Real Estate booklets, 1929, 1931, undated |
11 | 11 | ||
|
This Week in Oak Bluffs…, 1930-1931 |
10 | 3 | ||
|
Martha's Vineyard: The Isle of Dreams and Health historic and publicity guide, 1932 |
11 | 12 | ||
|
The Edgartown Weekly, 1939 August |
10 | 4 | ||
|
Nantucket tourist book, 1952 June |
10 | 5 | ||
|
New England Journeys, 1955, 1957 |
10 | 6 | ||
|
Martha's Vineyard information fliers and map, 1963, undated |
11 | 13 | ||
|
Martha's Vineyard tourist guides, 1963-1979, undated |
11 | 14 | ||
|
Martha's Vineyard from A to Z booklet, 1969 |
11 | 15 | ||
|
The Beautiful Island, undated |
11 | 16 | ||
|
Edgartown Houses Open to Lodgers list, undated |
11 | 17 | ||
|
Martha's Vineyard and its Attractions Illustrated, undated |
11 | 18 | ||
|
Marthas Vineyard: A Pleasant Island in a Summer Sea, undated NoteIncludes numerous duplicates. |
10 | 7 | ||
|
Martha's Vineyard roadmap and business directories, undated |
12 | 1 | ||
|
Martha's Vineyard tourism brochures, undated |
10 | 8 | ||
|
Martha's Vineyard tourist guides, undated |
10 | 9 | ||
|
Martha's Vineyard maps, undated |
10 | 10 | ||
|
Martha's Vineyard souvenir books, undated |
10 | 11 | ||
|
Martha's Vineyard souvenir books, undated |
10 | 12 | ||
|
Oak Bluffs Country Club booklet, undated |
12 | 2 | ||
|
Oak Bluffs tourist guide, undated |
12 | 3 | ||
|
Picturesqe Gay Head poster, undated |
12 | 4 | ||
|
Picturesque Martha's Vineyard Illustrated, undated |
12 | 5 | ||
|
Richardson's Blue Book and Directory of Cottagers of Oak Bluffs, undated |
12 | 6 | ||
|
Vineyard Haven souvenir books, undated |
12 | 7 | ||