Built over the winter of 1928-29 by Edgartown boatbuilder Manuel Swartz Roberts for commercial fisherman Thomas Pease and his son Oscar, the catboat Vanity worked the waters of Martha’s Vineyard for over half a century. In this exhibit, explore the life of the last working catboat of Martha’s Vineyard through artifacts, photographs, archival materials, and film footage.
Thirteen rarely-seen portraits from the Museum’s collection highlight individuals who shaped Island life over the past 100 years. Featuring works by celebrated painters and photographers.
Step inside the inspiring story of Rev. Oscar Denniston, his family, and the vibrant community he nurtured at 11 Masonic Avenue in Oak Bluffs. From its beginnings as the Oakland Mission serving immigrant families, to its transformation into the Bradley Memorial Church, this historic space was a home, a sanctuary, and a beacon of hope for people of all backgrounds.
Photographer Dan Waters captures the resilience of Vineyarders during a year of crisis, isolation, and solidarity.
Experience the Island’s response to 2020 through powerful black-and-white images.
This exhibition explores the work of photographer and writer Austin Bryant, who focuses on the connections between African American and Wampanoag communities on the Island over the past several hundred years.
In celebration of the 50th anniversary of JAWS, the Martha’s Vineyard Museum is proud to present the first-ever comprehensive exhibition dedicated to the film’s production on Martha’s Vineyard. Through photographs, oral histories, original art, and movie props, this exhibit will delve into how the Island became the fictional Amity Island, showcasing the Vineyarders who brought the movie to life and the enduring legacy of Spielberg’s blockbuster.
One of the most respected photojournalists of the 20th century, Alfred Eisenstaedt (1898-1995) captured countless iconic images, from a sailor kissing a nurse in Times Square to portraits of kings, dictators, and movie stars. This exhibition shares the story of Eisenstaedt’s Martha’s Vineyard through his own words, along with photographs and objects in the Museum’s collection.
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.
This exhibition invites visitors to explore the Island’s sacred and protected open spaces, each with its own unique story to tell. Through the work of Island artists, visitors will be immersed in these landscapes and their histories, providing a deeper understanding of the Island’s natural environment and the ongoing efforts to safeguard it.
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.
