PRESS RELEASE: Martha’s Vineyard Museum Commemorates 50 Years of Jaws with an Exclusive Exhibition and Programming
Press release: april 2025
Martha’s Vineyard Museum Commemorates 50 Years of Jaws with an Exclusive Exhibition and Programming
[VINEYARD HAVEN, MA] – April, 2025 – The Martha’s Vineyard Museum is thrilled to announce Jaws at 50: A Deeper Dive, a landmark exhibition celebrating the 50th anniversary of Jaws, one of the most
iconic films in cinematic history. Opening on May 24, 2025, and running through September 7,
2025, this exhibition invites visitors to explore how Martha’s Vineyard played a starring role in
the making of Stephen Spielberg’s film that captivated audiences worldwide.
Through rare photographs, oral histories, original artwork, and authentic movie props, the
Museum’s galleries will recount the transformation of Martha’s Vineyard into Amity Island,
highlight the contributions of Vineyarders both behind the scenes and on screen, and reflect on
the film’s enduring legacy.
“This exhibition tells the story of a movie that left an indelible mark on both the Island and the
history of cinema,” said Heather Seger, MVM Executive Director. “Fifty years later, Jaws continues
to fascinate, and we’re proud to honor the Vineyard’s role in shaping this legendary film.”
Exhibition Highlights:
- Creating a Monster (Morse Hallway): In the summer of 1975, Jaws exploded onto movie screens and into the cultural imagination. This introduction explores the making of a monster—from early storyboards to the creation of “Bruce,” the film’s mechanical shark—and sets the stage for a journey beneath the surface of Spielberg’s blockbuster and the Island that made it possible.
- Behind the Scenes, In Front of the Camera: The Islanders Who Made Jaws (Grain Family Gallery): From fishermen to photographers, local kids to carpenters, Vineyarders played key roles in bringing Jaws to life. Through photographs, oral histories, film props, and memorabilia, this section highlights the contributions of the Island community that helped make movie magic.
- The Making of Amity (Hollinshead and Fleischner Galleries): In the spring and summer of 1974, Martha’s Vineyard transformed into Amity Island. Discover how iconic scenes were filmed, explore the sets and locations, and see how the Vineyard’s landscape became a backdrop for cinematic suspense.
- A Lasting Legacy (Cox Gallery): When Jaws premiered on Martha’s Vineyard in June 1975, it launched more than a film—it launched a phenomenon. This section traces the legacy of Jaws through memorabilia, fan culture, and its lasting impact on Hollywood and the Island alike.
- The Extraordinary White Shark (Beim Gallery): Great white sharks are no Hollywood villains. This section, created in partnership with the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy, dives into the biology and behavior of these essential apex predators, exploring the science of shark senses, their role in marine ecosystems, and the urgent need for conservation through interactive displays.
- Share Your Story! (Blacklow Alcove): Share your own Jaws memories and favorite moments. Vote for your favorite character, recount the first time you saw the film, and see how others remember this cultural phenomenon.
Special Features:
- A to-scale replica of the “Amity Island Welcomes You” billboard.
- A to-scale model of the Orca’s iconic interior (June 19 – 23, 2025).
- Large-scale exterior graphics transforming the Museum into a celebration of Jaws.
- A scale model of “Bruce” the shark’s head, taken from original measurements.
Amity Homecoming Weekend: June 19-23, 2025
- As part of the 50th-anniversary celebrations, the Museum proudly presents Amity Homecoming Weekend, a five-day event featuring exclusive talks, special guests, live events, and behind-the-scenes insights into the making of Jaws. Highlights include:
- June 19 – LET’S TALK JAWS LIVE!…LIVE! (2 PM): Join the live audience for a special taping of Let’s Talk Jaws Live! as Nate Jones, Michael Smith, and Janie Jones Clark bring their popular podcast to the Vineyard—featuring surprise guests and deep dives into all things Jaws. This event is currently sold out.
- June 20 – Jaws Deep Dive: A FINatic’s Look at a Classic Film (9:30 AM – 12:30 PM): Historian and Jaws expert Bow Van Riper takes fans on an in-depth exploration of what makes Jaws a masterpiece. This event is currently sold out.
- June 21 – Growing Up with ‘Uncle Quint’: Life on the Set of Jaws and Beyond (1 PM): Author Christopher Shaw Myers, nephew of Robert “Quint” Shaw, shares stories about growing up with his legendary uncle and behind-the-scenes insights on Jaws. This event is currently sold out.
- June 21 – Wendy Benchley: Half Century Reflections From Jaws to Ocean Conservation (4 PM): Renowned ocean advocate Wendy Benchley shares stories from the Jaws set to her global conservation efforts.
- June 22 – Meet Joe Alves: Jaws and Beyond (11 AM): Legendary Production Designer Joe Alves joins biographer Dennis L. Prince to discuss his groundbreaking career and his iconic work on Jaws. This event is currently sold out.
- June 22 – On the Job with Deputy Hendricks (2 PM): Join Emmy Award-winning actor Jeffrey Kramer (Deputy Hendricks) for behind-the-scenes stories from Jaws. This event is currently sold out.
- June 22 – Reunion Day: In collaboration with the Vineyard Gazette Media Group, join us for a day-long celebration of the 50th anniversary of Jaws, featuring movie memorabilia, live performances, and meet-and-greets with Island residents who participated in the film’s production. This event is currently sold out; Museum admission tickets are still available.
- June 23 – Orca Model: FINatic Send-off with Cort Corino (11 AM): Cort Corino shares how he recreated a full-scale version of the cabin inside the Orca, detailing his three-year journey and the challenges of bringing Amity’s most famous boat back to life.
Additional Jaws events are being added all summer long and will be announced on the Martha’s Vineyard Museum’s website. This once-in-a-lifetime exhibition and event series will captivate film buffs, Island residents, and summer visitors alike, blending history, community, and art.
Additional Quotes from Museum Staff:
“We are excited to welcome Jaws fans from around the world to Martha’s Vineyard this summer. Jaws fans are a strong community, and Martha’s Vineyard has a strong community of Islanders who were involved in the film’s creation. The inspiration behind Amity Homecoming Weekend is to bring together the Jaws community from around the world together with the local Islanders’ community who were part of making the iconic film.” – Cathy Mayone, Managing Director
“There’s a special kind of magic in this exhibition—where movie history meets Island memory.” It’s a chance to see Jaws not just as a film, but as a moment shaped by this place and its people.” – Anna Barber, Curator of Exhibitions
“The impact of Jaws is indescribable…the more opportunities for people to gather and talk about it, the more that impact is revealed. Programming for Jaws is a blast because you are creating those ways to bond through storytelling.” – Laurel Redington, Director of Programming.
“Only a handful of films remain compelling after fifty years. Jaws is one of them. A lot of its power comes from the fact that it feels real, because it was shot in a real place, with real people in the background. And the best part is: It’s a place you can come visit, and experience first-hand.” – Bow Van Riper, Research Librarian
About Martha’s Vineyard Museum:
The Martha’s Vineyard Museum inspires all people to discover, explore, and strengthen their
connections to the Island and its diverse heritage. Through exhibitions, programs, and a vast
collection of artifacts, photographs, and oral histories, the Museum preserves and shares the
stories of Martha’s Vineyard—past and present. Located in Vineyard Haven, the Museum offers
year-round opportunities for learning and engagement for visitors of all ages. For more
information, visit mvmuseum.org.
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