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Martha's Vineyard

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The well known island called Martha's Vineyard originally operated under another title - Noepe, which means "land among the streams." It received its current name when Gosnold, the explorer from England, found it in 1602 and named it after his mother-in-law and deceased infant daughter. The island developed its importance in the 1800s when it rose with the whaling industry. After the Great Depression, it became renowned as a tourist resort, as it still is loved for. In the '70s, Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket tried to secede from Massachusetts and become the 51st state, a movement prompted by legislation that would reduce their governmental representation. Obviously, they did not succeed.

The Vineyard's pleasant summers and plentiful beaches make it a favorite vacation spot for many tourists, including famous individuals like the Clintons, Bill Gates, James Taylor, and Princess Diana. (However, the Islanders have a local custom that celebrities are to be treated just like everyone else, and paparazzi are not allowed.) Many celebrated movies have also been made on this paradisiacal part of Massachusetts.

Six towns comprise the Vineyard - Tisbury, Edgartown, Oak Bluffs, West Tisbury, Chilmark, and Aquinnah - and they each have exciting annual events, such as Edgartown's 4th of July fireworks and Edgartown Ghost Tour, and Oak Bluffs's Oak Bluffs Harbour Festival and Oak Bluffs Monster Shark Tournament. Some scenic locales to check out include Menemsha Harbor (breathtaking location of the sunset on the island), Squid Row, Edgartown Lighthouse, Katama Bay (perfect for kayaking), The Flying Horses Carousel, Martha's Vineyard Ferry Dock, Each Chop Lighthouse, and more.

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