Martha’s Vineyard Museum. Step Back In Time.

Situated in the Historic District of Edgartown, the Martha’s Vineyard Museum is the Island’s largest repository of cultural artifacts, historic photographs, archival records and genealogical records. Maintained by the Martha’s Vineyard Historical Society, the museum brings the Island’s vibrant history alive. Our concierge can provide more directions to the museum.

The objects collections of the Martha’s Vineyard Museum, includes over 30,000 items relating to all aspects of life on Martha’s Vineyard. Specific collection categories include: agricultural tools, archaeological material, paintings, prints and sculpture, baskets, coins, costumes, decoys, hunting and fishing and shell fishing tools, ethnographic material brought back from the all over the worlds by Vineyard whalers, armament, guns and swords, furniture and household equipment, medical and scientific tools and equipment, musical instruments, fossils and botanical samples, maritime-related tools, sailor’s artwork such as scrimshaw and inlaid work, ship models, shipwreck salvage materials, Wampanoag tools, woodworking tools, toys, a whaleboat, Nomansland fishing boat, wagon, sleigh, fire engine and an 1854 first order Fresnel Lens used in the Gay Head Aquinnah lighthouse for almost 100 years.

The Library and Archive collection spans every period of the Island's complex history. Beyond the 5,000 book research library, the Martha’s Vineyard Museum’s paper collection contains materials from the 17th century through the 21st century. These collections includes such items as: manuscripts, ship logbooks, postcards, Island business account books, legal papers and land deeds, family correspondence, Island organizational records, ship account books, and scrapbooks. Additionally, the library holds 500 Island maps and 400 nautical charts. The Library collection also contains an extensive photo collection of historic images of Vineyard tourism, homes, individuals, and communities.

Spring Hours: April 10 - June 15 Wednesday, Thursday & Friday 1 - 4 PM Saturday 10 AM - 4 PM

Summer Hours: June 16 - October6 Closed July 4 Tuesday through Saturday 10 AM - 5 PM

Fall Hours: October 10 - December 22 Closed Veteran's Day, Thanksgiving weekend and Dec. 24 - Jan. 2, 2007 Wednesday, Thursday & Friday 1 - 4 PM Saturday 10 AM- 4 PM

Winter Hours: January 2 - April 10 Saturday 10 AM - 4 PM Other times by appointment.

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