Visit

Plan Your Visit

Experience the Vineyard’s unique history and culture.

MUSEUM HOURS

Please note, last admissions are sold one half hour before scheduled closing time.

OPEN TUESDAY – SUNDAY

10:00 am – 5:00 pm

June 6 – Oct 8, 2023

10:00 am – 4:00pm

Oct 10, 2023 – June 4, 2024

MUSEUM CAMPUS CLOSED

The Museum campus is closed for the following holidays: Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve Day, Christmas, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day.

STAFF OFFICES CLOSED

Staff offices are closed for the following holidays: Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents’ Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, 4th of July, Labor Day, Indigenous Peoples’ Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve Day, Christmas, December 26, New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day.

SPECIAL CLOSURES

The Museum will close at 3pm on July 1 and September 3, 2023.

ADMISSION

INDIVIDUAL ADMISSION

Adults: $18
Seniors: $15
Children 7-17: $5
Children 6 & Under: Free

YEAR-ROUND ISLANDER RATES

Adults: $15
Seniors $12

MV Museum members are always free.

Become a member today!

Group rates are available for parties of 10 or more.

GALLERY WALKS

Fridays & Sundays at 2pm

Learn more about the highlights of the collection on a brief guided tour of the Museum’s permanent exhibits.

Free with Museum admission.

DIRECTIONS

WALKING TO THE MUSEUM

The Museum is situated overlooking Lagoon Pond and Vineyard Sound in Vineyard Haven. The Campus is a 10-minute walk from the Steamship Authority’s Vineyard Haven terminal and a 6-minute walk from Five Corners.

TRAVELING BY BIKE

Bike racks are available for your convenience at the bottom of the stairs on Lagoon Pond Road and in the parking area at the back of the property.

TRAVELING BY CAR

Parking is available at the top of the driveway including room for bus drop-off and pick-up. There are additional parking spaces located behind Doherty Hall at the back of the property.

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION

Take Vineyard Transit Authority (VTA) routes #1, 2, 3, and 13 to the Steamship Authority terminal in Vineyard Haven. The Museum is a 10-minute walk away. If you like, ask to be let off at Five Corners, and walk up Lagoon Pond Road (keeping the Post Office on your right). For the VTA’s routes and schedules, click here.

1

Saltzman Cabinet of Curiosities

Rotating exhibit space. Visit our exhibitions page to learn what’s currently on view.
2

Hands-On History

A unique space designed for kids to engage in hands-on learning and discovery.
3

Challenge of the Sea

Ongoing exhibit exploring ship wrecks, navigation, lifesaving, and weather in Vineyard waters.
1

Main Entrance

Please enter the Museum through the Bodman Courtyard entrance to begin your visit.
2

Welcome Center

Please check in at the Welcome Center to begin your visit. Lockers are available for storing your belongings.
3

Morgan Learning Center

Multipurpose room utilized for field trips, programs, meetings, and special events.
4

Waggaman Community Gallery

Rotating exhibit space. Visit our exhibitions page to learn what’s currently on view.
5

Gift Shop

Find the perfect gift with our unique selection of books, apparel, jewelry, prints, toys, and Island-made items.
6

On This Site

Ongoing exhibit diving into the story of the site the Museum sits on.
7

History Highlights

Ongoing exhibit presenting a brief video timeline of the Island’s history.
8

One Island, Many Stories

Ongoing exhibit providing an introduction to the Island’s history and culture organized around seven core themes.
9

Linnemann Pavillion

Multi-floor pavilion showcasing the Fresnel Lens and ongoing exhibits relating to navigation, seafaring, and lighthouses.
10

Fresnel Lens

The stunning first-order Fresnel Lens, which was first installed in the Gay Head Light from 1854 to 1952.
11

Flashes Of Brilliance

Ongoing exhibit chronicling the history of lighthouses on Martha’s Vineyard.
12

First Light Café

Stop by our grab-and-go café for light refreshments in a bright and lively setting overlooking Lagoon Pond.
13

Bodman Courtyard

A courtyard space for enjoying the Museum campus and a home to outdoor programs and events.
14

Doherty Hall

Ongoing exhibit showcasing some of the Museum’s larger collection objects including boats, whaling artifacts, and carriages.
15

Rose Styron Garden

Created by renowned stone artist Lew French, this outdoor garden serves as a place for visitors to enjoy peaceful contemplation.
16

Sunbird

Created by Tim Laursen, this impressive metal bird scultpure with a seven-foot wingspan is powered by solar energy.
17

Lewis Lawn

Our grand front lawn overlooking Lagoon Pond and Vineyard Haven Harbor that is open to visitors all year long.
1

Hackney Research Library

The Library serves as a public access point for our collections and a broad range of research resources.
2

Beim Conference Room

A meeting space with beautiful views overlooking the Lewis Lawn.
3

Grain Family Gallery

Rotating exhibit space. Visit our exhibitions page to learn what’s currently on view.
4

Cox Gallery

Rotating exhibit space. Visit our exhibitions page to learn what’s currently on view.
5

Fleischner Family Gallery

Rotating exhibit space. Visit our exhibitions page to learn what’s currently on view.
6

Hollinshead Gallery

Rotating exhibit space. Visit our exhibitions page to learn what’s currently on view.

VISITOR GUIDELINES

  1. Food or drink can not be brought into the Museum. Please use proper receptacles when dining outside.
  2. Pets are not allowed, except for registered service animals.
  3. MVM is a smoke-free property. The use of tobacco or e-cigarettes is prohibited.
  4. Skateboards, hover boards, and similar recreational equipment are prohibited from the campus. Bicycle racks are provided at both the top and bottom of the driveway. Please keep bicycles off the Lewis Lawn and Bodman Courtyard.
  1. Photography is permitted for personal, non-commercial use, except where posted in certain galleries. The use of tripods, free-standing lights, and similar equipment is not permitted inside Museum buildings. Flash photography is not permitted.
  2. MVM regularly produces publications and posts content online that features the Campus, exhibits, and visitors. Your presence here constitutes your consent to be photographed, filmed, and/or otherwise recorded for the purposes of MVM communications and related outreach activities, in perpetuity.

ACCESSIBILITY

The Museum buildings, walkways, courtyard, and vehicular drop-off area are all 521 CMR compliant and accessible. Handicapped parking is available onsite including a designated spot for a handicapped van. The Museum provides complimentary non-motorized wheelchairs during your visit to those who request them. Please speak with the Visitor Services staff at the front desk at the beginning of your visit or call 508-627-4441 x110 prior to your visit to request use of a wheelchair.

DISCOUNTS & PARTNERSHIPS

BLUE STAR

Active and veteran military personnel and their families are invited to tour the Museum for free with proper identification.

BUY LOCAL ISLAND CLUB

Club members receive 10% off in the Museum Shop.

NORTH AMERICAN RECIPROCAL MUSEUM (NARM) ASSOCIATION

Members from other NARM institutions who present a current membership card validated with a gold North American Reciprocal sticker are entitled to: free admission to the Museum, 10% off in the Museum shop, and the MVM member discount on lecture/talk admission.

RECIPROCAL ORGANIZATION OF ASSOCIATED MUSEUMS (ROAM)

Members from other ROAM institutions who present a current membership card validated with a silver ROAM sticker are entitled to: free admission to the Museum, 10% off in the Museum shop, and the MVM member discount on lecture/talk admission.

MASSACHUSETTS CULTURAL COUNCIL

Holders of an EBT receive free admission to the Museum through the Massachusetts Cultural Council’s Card to Culture program.

MUSEUMS FOR ALL

Recipients of SNAP benefits receive free admission to the Museum by showing an EBT card as part of the Institute for Museums and Library Services Museum for All program.

NEW ENGLAND MUSEUM ASSOCIATION

New England Museum Association members are welcome to visit the Museum for free with their NEMA member card.

AMERICAN ALLIANCE OF MUSEUMS

American Alliance of Museums members are welcome to visit the Museum for free with their AAM member card.

AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF STATE AND LOCAL HISTORY

American Association of State and Local History members are welcome to visit the Museum for free with their AASLH member card.

MASSACHUSETTS TEACHERS ASSOCIATION

Massachusetts Teachers Association members receive half-off admission at the Museum and 10% off in the Museum Shop with their MTA Member Card.

BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS

Big Brothers Big Sisters members receive free admission to the Museum with their member card.