The original inhabitants of Martha’s Vineyard were the Wampanoags, or “People of the First Light,” who called the island Noepe, meaning “land amid the waters.” Immigrants from England and Cape Verde followed, and in 1602, Bartholomew Gosnold renamed it Martha’s Vineyard. Today, over 900 Wampanoag members exist, with about 300 living on the island; mainly residing on ancestral lands in Aquinnah.

In the 17th century, Thomas Mayhew received a grant for the island from King Charles of England and his son who established the first European settlement in 1642 at Edgartown, where the Wampanoags were considered good neighbors. The islanders engaged in farming and fishing, which thrived until the early 1800s when whaling became the main economic focus. While not as prominent as Nantucket or New Bedford, many whaling captains returned home wealthy, building impressive homes.

Martha's Vineyard transitioned into a resort destination starting in 1835 with the first Methodist Camp Meeting in Oak Bluffs. From 9 tents, it grew to 250 by 1857, leading to permanent cottages by 1880 in Wesleyan Grove, which featured about 500 structures in Gothic Revival styles. Over 300 of these cottages remain today, reflecting the island’s rich history as a summer retreat with its charming beach houses and community gatherings.

We have curated a brief list of our favorite things to see and do below.