African American Heritage Trail
To order a free Visitor’s Guide, and for direct connections to all attractions, accommodations, restaurants and businesses, please visit our website at: www.mvy.com
Day 1
African American History Tour
508.693.8714
Tour Season: May through October, 90 minutes
Learn about the people, places and events in the evolution of the African American presence on Martha’s Vineyard from the early 1700s to the present through this guided tour of 12 historical sites
Martha’s Vineyard Sightseeing Tours
508.627.8687
On-line: www.mvtour.com
Year-Round, Island-wide bus tour, 2.5 hours Guided tour of the entire Island, with specific trips available to the clay cliffs at Gay Head in Aquinnah, the whaling captains’ homes in Edgartown, Oak Bluffs and Vineyard Haven
Day 2
African-American Heritage Trail of Martha’s Vineyard
508.693.4361
The African-American Heritage Trail is a series of sites that include the home of William Martin, the Island’s only African-American whaling captain, the Seaport of Menemsha, the Gospel Tabernacle, and the home of Dorothy West. This is a self-guided trail.
Gingerbread Cottages
508.693.0525
Founded by the Methodist church in 1835, this site served as the location for annual summer camp meetings, this group of more than 300 unique and quaint cottages surrounding the Tabernacle are not to be missed.
Lighthouse Tours
Martha’s Vineyard Museum
508.627.4441
The Gay Head and East Chop lighthouses are open for sunset tours from late June to mid-September
The Flying Horses Carousel
508.693.9481
America’s oldest continuously operating carousel and a national landmark.
Alternative Suggestions
Art Galleries
The Arts District, Dukes County Ave, Oak Bluffs, including:
The Dragonfly Gallery
91 Dukes County Ave
508.693.8877
On-line: www.mvdragonfly.com
Featherstone Center for the Arts
Barnes Road, Oak Bluffs
508. 693.1850
On-line: www.featherstonearts.org
The Field Gallery & Sculpture Garden
State Road, West Tisbury
508.693.5595
The Granary Gallery at the Red Barn
636 Old County Road, West Tisbury
508.693.0455
On-line: www.granarygallery.com
Cultural Attractions
The Aquinnah Cultural Center
508.645.9265
On-line: www.wampanoagtribe.net
Cultural Center for the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head
The Farm Institute
14 Aero Ave, Edgartown
508.627.7007
The Tall Ships The Black Dog, Beach Road, Vineyard Haven
508.693.1699
On-line: www.blackdogtallships.com
The Vineyard Playhouse
508.693.6450
On-line: www.vineyardplayhouse.org
Live theatrical performances set throughout the summer and autumn months
Recreational Activities: A selection if recreational activities Are available on our website: www.mvy.com
Historic Walking Tours are available in Edgartown, Oak Bluffs and Vineyard Haven
Bicycle Rentals are available in Oak Bluffs, Vineyard Haven and Edgartown. The Island has 33 miles of formal bike trails, and additional roads that are safe for adults to cycle.
Boating and fishing charters are available spring – Fall
Kayaking
Island Spirit Kayak
Oak Bluffs
508.693.9727
On-line: www.islandsspirit.com
Windsurfing
Wind's Up!
Vineyard Haven
508.693.4252
On-line: www.windsupmv.com
