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Explore our ongoing, upcoming, and online exhibitions
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CURRENT EXHIBITIONS
The Saltzman Cabinet of Curiosities
Ferry Tales
In this exhibit, learn about the ferries that have gotten us here — from Abraham Chase’s sail ferry in the 18th century, to the elegance and grandeur of the White Fleet of propeller steamers of the 1920s, to the much beloved Islander which served the Vineyard for over 50 years. The exhibition features ship models, memorabilia, reproductions of historical documents and photographs, and a timeline that traces the history of ferry service to the Island from the 1700s to today.
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The Grain Family Gallery
Sailing to Freedom
Maritime Dimensions of the Underground Railroad
The Underground Railroad was not limited to land, but included a network of maritime routes along the Atlantic seaboard. This groundbreaking exhibition sheds light on how freedom was achieved by sea, including the waters around Martha’s Vineyard.
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The Adele H. Waggaman Community Gallery
Generations
A Legacy of Art and Culture
Centered around an extraordinary wampum belt made by Aquinnah Wampanoag tribal elder Donald Widdiss, this exhibition explores three generations of Widdiss family artists. Featuring wampum art, pottery, personal stories, and more, we invite visitors to reflect on the broader themes of tradition, artistry, and cultural identity.
READ MORECOLLECTION HIGHLIGHTS
Woven Bag
Contemporary Wampanoag artists and artisans help us picture the world of their ancestors, the first inhabitants of this Island, by making objects using old and new materials while drawing on old and new techniques.
Mary Norton Sampler
Mary H. Norton made this sampler in Holmes Hole (now Vineyard Haven) when she was around 12 years old.
Jagging Wheel
Though most familiar in the form of whales’ teeth carved with pictures of ships, scrimshaw was an extremely varied art.
Chappy
Mary Drake Coles learned to paint during childhood summers on Martha’s Vineyard, in her teens in Provincetown, and later at Smith College, in Paris, Majorca, Haiti, and New York.
Zeb Tilton Portrait
Benton found inspiration on Martha’s Vineyard from his first visits to the Island in the 1920s until his death in 1975.
Dancing Dolls (Brinquinho)
Mary Paiva Drouin, the daughter of a first-generation Portuguese immigrant family, recalls how her family’s cherished “dancing dolls” in traditional Portuguese dress were paraded through the streets of Oak Bluffs during the Holy Ghost Festival.
Brickman’s Shirt
One of the earliest Jewish families to settle here, the Brickmans operated a shoe business on Main Street in Vineyard Haven that became Brickman’s department store.
Dial Telephone Service Comes to Aquinnah
This photograph, staged in May 1955 to celebrate the introduction of dial telephone service in Chilmark and Gay Head, captures the tension between tradition and modernity.
Gislaine Portrait
In 2017, the Museum exhibited photographer Mila Lowe’s “Local Immigrants Project.” Lowe undertook the project to document the wide diversity of recent immigrants to the Island.
Luce Dressing Box
Captain Richard G. Luce presented this box to his daughter, Abbie Bradford Luce, upon returning from one of his many long voyages.
Life Preserver
Life preserver from the City of Columbus, which crashed on the underwater rocks of Devil’s Bridge in January 1884 when a gash was torn in the hull and seawater rushed into the steamer.
Priscilla Pearl Necklaces
Manufactured in Hyannis at the Priscilla Laboratory, these glass and herring scale “pearls” were named “Priscilla Pearls” and sold around the country through mail order and at Lina Call’s Priscilla Pearl Shop in Edgartown.
Violin
Owned by E. Gale Huntington, this violin was possibly carried around Cape Horn on a voyage by Menemsha fisherman Lyman Cottle.
Monohansett
Monohansett (1862), depicted in this painting by J. P. Winegar, was the first reliable steam ferry to serve Martha’s Vineyard.
Fall River Line Advertisement
Palatial “night boats” like Plymouth connected New York and Martha’s Vineyard.
“Enchanted Isle” Poster
This 1934 travel poster promoted the Vineyard as a playground of the rich and stylish.
Islander
Islander, which operated from 1950-2007, revolutionized ferry service to the Vineyard.
Island Queen Advertisement
Summer “excursion boats” like the Island Queen carried day tourists to Oak Bluffs.
Provincetown-Boston Airlines Timetable
Provincetown-Boston Airline was the Island’s leading air carrier for 40 years.
Islander and Island Home
Islander (1950) passes her successor Island Home (2007) in Vineyard Haven Harbor.
Satinet Sample
Hard-wearing satinet cloth: the West Tisbury woolen mill’s signature product.
Vanderhoops at Aquinnah Circle
Harrison and Selina Vanderhoop selling Wampanoag crafts at Aquinnah Circle.
King’s Paint Mill
Clay pigments from King’s Paint Mill in Chilmark tinted the houses of southern New England.
Bricks on Pier
The signature product of the Roaring Brook brickyard awaits shipment to the mainland.
Erford Burt Bass Boat
One of Erford Burt’s signature “bass boats” in the basin at Burt’s Boatyard on the Lagoon.
Model of the SS Drottingholm
Van Ryper offered its customers affordable “models of ships on which you’ve sailed.”
Dairy Cooperative Bottle
Martha’s Vineyard Cooperative Dairy helped the Island’s small farmers, but could not compete with mainland producers.
Chilmark Chocolates Sign
Chilmark Chocolates was known for its delicious product, and its community spirit.
Black Dog Catalog
The Black Dog began as a year-round restaurant, but became a lifestyle brand.
Harpoon
The ancestors of the Wampanoag people who live here now fished using harpoons such as this one, which was found along the shore in Aquinnah.
Joseph Belain Portrait
Over the course of 20 whaling voyages, Aquinnah-born Joseph Belain (1848-1926), served as harpooner, second mate, first mate, and twice as a replacement master.
Whale and Porpoise Oil Samples
Beginning in the mid-19th century and ending in the 1940s, William F. Nye Company of New Bedford refined and processed whale and porpoise oil for various purposes.
Nomansland Codfish Box
Salted and dried cod was sold to Fischer Brothers of Vineyard Haven, who packaged it in wooden boxes like this one and sold it locally as well as shipping it to New Bedford and Providence.
Eel Pot
Before the 20th century, eels were caught and eaten in great numbers by islanders, who captured them in the fall and winter using pots like this one.
Menemsha Swordfishing Fleet
Equipped by a tall mast for lookouts and a long narrow platform for the harpooner jutting out from the bow, “Sword boats” supplied a market in which swordfish was seen as a delicacy.
“Dorothy and Everett” Weathervane
Using the vessels he knew as inspiration, local fisherman Jimmy Morgan made weathervanes and sold them in his small shop in Menemsha to supplement his income.
Photograph of Fishermen
Fishermen could once make a good living selling the fish they caught in net traps along the northwest shore of the Vineyard.
Chart of Holmes Hole
This view of Holmes Hole (now Vineyard Haven) harbor in 1781 looks familiar at first glance, but a closer look reveals unfamiliar features.
The Harbor of Holmes Hole
Twelve years before this chart was drawn in 1847, the citizens of Holmes Hole blocked Bass Creek with a worn-out schooner filled with rocks, making way for Water Street and Union Wharf.
Martha’s Vineyard Railroad Train on the Beach
The Martha’s Vineyard Railroad operated from 1872 to 1896, carrying passengers from the Oak Bluffs steamer wharf to the outskirts of Edgartown, then to Katama.
1938 Beach Road Flooding
This photograph, looking down Beach Road toward Five Corners, was taken during the 1938 Hurricane.
Bathhouse Debris on Oak Bluffs Steamer Wharf
Bathhouses were a fixture of Oak Bluffs — a monument to the social customs of a bygone era — until September 1944, when the Great Atlantic Hurricane struck the Island.
Bunker on South Beach
This concrete structure, used to train World War II naval aviators, originally stood in the dunes behind the beach; by the late 1960s or early 1970s, it stood at the water’s edge.
Moving the Gay Head Light
The brick tower of the current Gay Head Light was built in 1856, and by the early twenty-first century, erosion had left it dangerously close to the edge of the cliffs.
EVENTS
Female Island Icons: Andrea Dello Russo
The Island community is full of inspiring women who have become iconic in their chosen work. Join us for a conversation with one of those incredible women, Andrea Dello Russo! Andrea started the very first female owned and operated auto repair shop on the Island. As the owner of Andrea’s Auto, she has been an advocate for female empowerment through auto repair on Island and around the country.
‘Human/Nature’ Exhibition Opening
Join us as we celebrate the opening of Human/Nature: Art and Conservation on Martha’s Vineyard. This exhibition brings together the powerful intersection of art, history, and environmental stewardship, offering visitors a unique opportunity to explore the Island’s sacred and protected open spaces through the lens of local artists. Enjoy light refreshments and remarks from exhibit curator Anna Barber.
Introduction to MV History Lecture Series: Week 5 (1920s-1970s)
Join us on Thursdays in August and September for our Introduction to Martha’s Vineyard History Lecture Series. Week 5 will focus on the 1920s-1970s.
Yoga with YogiJay
Join YogiJay (Jason Mazar-Kelly) of WholesomeMV and the Museum for our 5th season of yoga at MVM! Each Saturday morning YogiJay will lead an engaging community-based all-levels yoga class on the Lewis Lawn, overlooking Lagoon Pond. This weekly event is a great way to connect with the community and enjoy the practice of movement, meditation, and breath in one of the most beautiful spots on Island.
Sculpting an Island Legend: Rebecca Amos
Join Elaine Cawley Weintraub, co-founder of the African American Heritage Trail of Martha’s Vineyard, and famed sculptor Barney Zeitz to explore the legacy of Rebecca Amos. An African woman enslaved on Martha’s Vineyard, Rebecca’s fascinating and powerful story is brought to life through their art. Their work offers the opportunity to expand our understanding of Rebecca’s life and Barney’s sculpture will provide a permanent reminder of the life of Rebecca and her descendants. Together they will explore Rebecca’s story and share their important work.
Introduction to MV History Lecture Series: Week 6 (1970s-2020s)
Join us on Thursdays in August and September for our Introduction to Martha’s Vineyard History Lecture Series. The final week of the lecture series will focus on the 1970s to the present.
Dust is the Only Secret: Poetry in the Garden with Fan Ogilvie
Join us for poetry in the Rose Styron Garden! Rose Styron, acclaimed poet, journalist and human rights activist, will introduce Island poet Fan Ogilvie. Fan will share readings from her three book series, ‘Dust is the Only Secret: Assent to Life’. In addition, MV Poet Laureate, Claudia Taylor, will share readings of her work. Enjoy an hour of poetry with these three remarkable women in the stunning Lew French designed Rose Styron Garden.
Yoga with YogiJay
Join YogiJay (Jason Mazar-Kelly) of WholesomeMV and the Museum for our 5th season of yoga at MVM! Each Saturday morning YogiJay will lead an engaging community-based all-levels yoga class on the Lewis Lawn, overlooking Lagoon Pond. This weekly event is a great way to connect with the community and enjoy the practice of movement, meditation, and breath in one of the most beautiful spots on Island.
35 Years of Listening: A Conversation with Linsey Lee and Mara Liasson
For over 35 years, MVM’s Oral History Curator Linsey Lee has been at the forefront of capturing the essence of the Island’s community through her extensive interviews, acclaimed Vineyard Voices series, and work on Museum exhibits that showcase how every voice contributes to the rich tapestry of Island history. This evening will feature a unique, conversational interview led by Linsey’s long-time friend, Mara Liasson, national political correspondent for NPR.
Lunch Lecture: Wild Edibles with Kristina Hook
Lunch Lectures are back! Join us for October’s installment of our beloved monthly series with featured speaker, Kristina Hook. A Wampanoag Elder born and raised on Island, Kristina will share the story of her upbringing, foraging and cooking with her mother and grandmother.
Yoga with YogiJay
Join YogiJay (Jason Mazar-Kelly) of WholesomeMV and the Museum for our 5th season of yoga at MVM! Each Saturday morning YogiJay will lead an engaging community-based all-levels yoga class on the Lewis Lawn, overlooking Lagoon Pond. This weekly event is a great way to connect with the community and enjoy the practice of movement, meditation, and breath in one of the most beautiful spots on Island.
Presidential Retreats: Martha’s Vineyard as a Historical Haven
Explore the rich history of presidential visits to Martha’s Vineyard with presidential health historian, Kevin R. Loughlin. He’ll share insights into how this picturesque Island became a favored escape for America’s presidents, from the historical stays of figures like Ulysses S. Grant to the summer retreats of modern-day presidents. This talk highlights the Island’s role as a peaceful haven away from the political spotlight, with stories of presidential relaxation. From leisurely fishing trips to strategic retreats, discover how each president utilized the Vineyard for rest and rejuvenation.
Yoga with YogiJay
Join YogiJay (Jason Mazar-Kelly) of WholesomeMV and the Museum for our 5th season of yoga at MVM! Each Saturday morning YogiJay will lead an engaging community-based all-levels yoga class on the Lewis Lawn, overlooking Lagoon Pond. This weekly event is a great way to connect with the community and enjoy the practice of movement, meditation, and breath in one of the most beautiful spots on Island.
VISIT OUR CAMPUS
With an exciting slate of exhibits, guest speakers, and community events, there’s always something new to discover at MVM.
OPEN 10 – 5
TUESDAY – SUNDAY
YEAR-ROUND
100,000+
ITEMS IN
OUR COLLECTION
Explore maps, manuscripts, objects, photos, oral histories, and much more.
2,500
FEET FROM THE
FERRY DOCK
Our Vineyard Haven campus is just a 10-minute walk from the Steamship Authority terminal.
100
YEARS OF SERVING THE ISLAND COMMUNITY
We are committed to collecting, preserving, and sharing all facets of the Island’s story, from the familiar to the untold.
LEARN
We provide thought-provoking and engaging learning experiences for students of all ages.
RESEARCH
We bring the Island’s history and culture to life through research and resources that encourage curiosity and compassion.
SUPPORT & DONATE
Your support empowers us to continue inspiring, educating, and strengthening our community.
“We believe in the mission and vision of the MV Museum. We want our grandchildren to love and appreciate this Island’s history, art, and culture as much as we do, so it is very important to us that the Museum continues to grow and thrive!”
BARBARA COUCH
