142 Years of Legacy: Phoebe Ballou, Lois Mailou Jones

142 Years of Legacy: Phoebe Ballou, Lois Mailou Jones

Step back in time at Doherty Hall on Sunday, August 10, for a captivating Island story told from a new perspective.

Laurence Holland, a summer resident of Oak Bluffs for over seven decades and now a permanent resident of Edgartown, unveils rare family photographs and powerful tales of his enduring connection to Martha’s Vineyard. Journey back to 1883 with his second great-grandmother, Phoebe-Ann Moseley Adams Ballou, who arrived in Cottage City as a domestic and, against all odds, made history in 1913 as one of the first African American women to own property on the Island. Her unwavering spirit was instrumental in shaping Oak Bluffs into the cherished summer haven it is for Black families.

Her fortitude lives on through her granddaughter, the renowned artist Lois Mailou Jones, who found endless inspiration in her Vineyard summers. Today, Phoebe’s descendants continue to enrich the Island, carrying forward a remarkable heritage of resilience, creativity, and community.

MVM Member: $15; Non-Member: $25

DETAILS

---

Date	August 10, 2025
From	5:00 pm
To	6:00 pm
Type	Talk
Venue	Martha’s Vineyard Museum

Object information is a work in progress and may be updated as new research findings emerge. To help improve this record, please email collections@mvmuseum.org. Information about image downloads and licensing is available here.