Events

EXHIBITIONS

EVENTS

DIVE DEEPER INTO THE HISTORY AND CULTURE OF MARTHA’S VINEYARD

Discover the Island’s rich history and vibrant culture through engaging lectures, expert panels, hands-on family activities, and community gatherings. Whether you’re exploring the past, celebrating the present, or looking ahead to the future, our events offer something for everyone.

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21 results

Jul. 18

5:00 pm - 6:00 pm

The Whimsical World of Margot Datz

Join us on Friday, July 18th, for an intimate, joy-splashed evening with reluctant grown-up Margot Datz as she shares tales from her extraordinary artistic journey—stories as colorful and unexpected as the murals she brings to life. With a heart full of humor and hands dipped in myth and magic, she’ll take you from the shores of Martha’s Vineyard to the edges of the imagination.

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Jul. 19

5:00 pm - 6:00 pm

Decoding Climate History from Whaling Logs

Historians and climate scientists are uncovering new insights into historical weather and climate change by examining a surprising source: ship logbooks from 19th-century American whaling voyages. In this talk on Saturday, July 19th, Dr. Timothy Walker, Professor of History at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, and Dr. Caroline Ummenhofer, oceanographer at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, will present their collaborative research using these logbooks—many of which are stored in New England archives including the New Bedford Whaling Museum, Nantucket Historical Association, and Falmouth Historical Society.

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Jul. 21

4:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Tales of Edgartown: The Pond People of Pohogonot

Spend your Monday evenings in the Legacy Gardens at the historic Cooke House, where local historians and storytellers bring Edgartown’s expansive past to life. Each week features a new speaker sharing a distinct chapter of Island history and culture. Enjoy light refreshments, meaningful conversation, and the experience of an outdoor summer lecture series.

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Jul. 22

3:30 pm - 4:30 pm

Shark Smarts: Understanding Our Ocean Friends

Join Kristen Smith, Community Engagement Manager at the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy, for an interactive program that busts myths and uncovers the truth about sharks! Through a fun true-or-false activity, young participants will explore shark biology, behavior, and the latest local research happening right here in Massachusetts. A perfect program for curious kids and budding marine biologists alike!

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Jul. 22

5:00 pm - 6:00 pm

Jaws vs. Reality: The Truth About Great White Sharks

How much of Jaws is fact—and how much is fiction? Join Kristen Smith, Community Engagement Manager for the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy, for a fascinating look at how Jaws shaped public perception of white sharks and the myths it left behind. This program will explore current research and conservation efforts—including tracking technology and data collection—that are deepening our understanding of these apex predators and reshaping how we protect them. Come separate science from cinema, and walk away with a more informed view of one of the ocean’s most misunderstood species.

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Jul. 23

5:30 pm - 7:00 pm

Global Rhythms: Sol Y Canto

Celebrate the vibrant cultures that shape our Island community through music and storytelling. Each week, world-class musicians take the stage to share not only their sound, but the personal and cultural stories behind it. Join us Wednesday evenings this summer for a series that moves to the beat of connection, tradition, and discovery. THIS EVENING'S PERFORMANCE: Sol Y Canto

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Jul. 24

5:00 pm - 6:30 pm

From the Campground to the Copeland District: An Architectural History of Oak Bluffs

Join us on Thursday, July 24, for an extensively illustrated presentation that begins with a review of the distinctive features of Campground cottages and highlights several stylistic variants developed by architect Perez Mason and others in the 1860s. Mr. W. Douglas Thompson will illustrate how these designs were replicated and expanded in the Copeland District—the section of Oak Bluffs between Circuit Avenue and Nantucket Sound. He will also describe a radically new cottage type developed in the Copeland District during the 1870s under the supervision of E. P. Carpenter.

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Jul. 25

5:00 pm - 6:00 pm

Revelations in Stone: Hitchcock on the Vineyard [ONLINE ONLY]

Join us on Friday, July 25th for a live, online only program with author and biographer Robert T. McMaster for a fascinating talk about the 200th anniversary of Edward Hitchcock’s groundbreaking 1824 geological study of Martha’s Vineyard. McMaster will explore how Hitchcock’s work sparked a scientific revolution in understanding the forces that shaped the Vineyard, Cape Cod, and beyond. Drawing from Hitchcock’s unpublished writings and illustrated with historical and contemporary images, this engaging talk reveals the island's pivotal role in the history of American science.

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Jul. 29

5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

The Power of Images: A Journey Into a World on the Edge of Change

Celebrate Legacy Week on the Vineyard with an inspiring evening honoring Glenda E. Jones, a 1968 Central State University graduate and visionary photographer. Her powerful images of Ethiopia’s Omo Valley tribes capture cultures on the brink of change, bridging generations and preserving heritage. The program opens on Tuesday, July 29th with remarks from Sheryl Wesley, founder of HBCU Legacy Week and a passionate advocate for preserving Black history and culture. Sheryl will also introduce students from Showtime/MTV’s Storytellers Lab —rising voices continuing the mission of authentic storytelling.

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Jul. 30

5:30 pm - 7:00 pm

Global Rhythms: Jan Hulka

Celebrate the vibrant cultures that shape our Island community through music and storytelling. Each week, world-class musicians take the stage to share not only their sound, but the personal and cultural stories behind it. Join us Wednesday evenings this summer for a series that moves to the beat of connection, tradition, and discovery. THIS EVENING'S PERFORMANCE: Jan Hulka

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Jul. 31

5:00 pm - 6:00 pm

The House That Wouldn’t Let Go: The Story of Woogie and Mary

Join designer, preservationist, songwriter, storyteller, and part-time Island resident, Dawn Carroll for an unforgettable evening of music, memory, and rediscovered history, as she shares the powerful story of a house that once echoed with the footsteps of legends—and nearly vanished into silence. A story that started in Boston.

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Aug. 4

4:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Tales of Edgartown: Colonial Essentials: The Garden That Fed and Healed 

Spend your Monday evenings in the Legacy Gardens at the historic Cooke House, where local historians and storytellers bring Edgartown’s expansive past to life. Each week features a new speaker sharing a distinct chapter of Island history and culture. Enjoy light refreshments, meaningful conversation, and the experience of an outdoor summer lecture series.

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Aug. 6

5:30 pm - 7:00 pm

Global Rhythms: Allie and Paryss

Join us for a special edition of our Global Rhythms Summer Concert Series—a Mid-Summer Celebration filled with vibrant music, wine, and seasonal bites. Experience the soul-stirring sounds of Allie and Paryss Hayden, the dynamic Oak Bluffs duo whose genre-defying blend of gospel, soul, rock, and R&B creates an unforgettable live performance. Their music is a celebration of culture, connection, and the power of sound to move and inspire. Enhancing the evening is a curated wine tasting paired with light bites, making this not just a concert, but a summer evening to savor. Celebrate the season, the rhythm, and the joy of gathering—Vineyard style.

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Aug. 7

8:00 pm - 9:30 pm

Jaws: Stories Beneath the Full Moon

Join us Thursday, July 10th on the Museum's Lewis Lawn under the full moon for a one-of-a-kind evening that re-creates the iconic opening beach party scene from Jaws. With With Wayne Iacona who was a key crew member on JAWS, working behind the scenes to help bring Spielberg’s iconic thriller to life and Michael Haydn—the original acoustic guitarist from that unforgettable scene—strumming live tunes around a cozy faux campfire, this is your chance to step straight into movie magic.

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Aug. 11

4:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Tales of Edgartown: Beyond the 527 Feet: Peter Wells’ Story of the Chappy Ferry 

Spend your Monday evenings in the Legacy Gardens at the historic Cooke House, where local historians and storytellers bring Edgartown’s expansive past to life. Each week features a new speaker sharing a distinct chapter of Island history and culture. Enjoy light refreshments, meaningful conversation, and the experience of an outdoor summer lecture series.

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Aug. 13

5:30 pm - 7:00 pm

Global Rhythms: Molly & Mark

Celebrate the vibrant cultures that shape our Island community through music and storytelling. Each week, world-class musicians take the stage to share not only their sound, but the personal and cultural stories behind it. Join us Wednesday evenings this summer for a series that moves to the beat of connection, tradition, and discovery. THIS EVENING'S PERFORMANCE: Molly & Mark

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Aug. 18

4:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Tales of Edgartown: The Way We Wore: Island Textiles & Fashion, 1642–1850 

Spend your Monday evenings in the Legacy Gardens at the historic Cooke House, where local historians and storytellers bring Edgartown’s expansive past to life. Each week features a new speaker sharing a distinct chapter of Island history and culture. Enjoy light refreshments, meaningful conversation, and the experience of an outdoor summer lecture series.

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Aug. 19

4:00 pm - 6:00 pm

The Farmer and The Shark

On Tuesday, August 19th, don’t miss this exclusive special screening of The Farmer & the Shark, the gripping documentary that unveils the hidden story behind Martha’s Vineyard legend Craig Kingsbury and his extraordinary influence on Steven Spielberg’s Jaws. Stay for a rare and fascinating discussion with award-winning filmmaker John Campopiano, veteran producer Rick DiGregorio, Jaws historian Jim Beller, and Craig Kingsbury’s daughter, Kristen Kingsbury Henshaw, as they share never-before-heard stories and behind-the-scenes details about this iconic film’s local heartbeat.

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Aug. 20

5:30 pm - 7:00 pm

Global Rhythms: Peter Halperin and the Group Therapy Band

Celebrate the vibrant cultures that shape our Island community through music and storytelling. Each week, world-class musicians take the stage to share not only their sound, but the personal and cultural stories behind it. Join us Wednesday evenings this summer for a series that moves to the beat of connection, tradition, and discovery. THIS EVENING'S PERFORMANCE: Peter Halperin and the Group Therapy Band

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Aug. 25

4:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Tales of Edgartown: Whaling Port to Summer Resort

Spend your Monday evenings in the Legacy Gardens at the historic Cooke House, where local historians and storytellers bring Edgartown’s expansive past to life. Each week features a new speaker sharing a distinct chapter of Island history and culture. Enjoy light refreshments, meaningful conversation, and the experience of an outdoor summer lecture series.

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Aug. 27

5:30 pm - 7:00 pm

Global Rhythms: Jim Thomas Spirituals Choir

Celebrate the vibrant cultures that shape our Island community through music and storytelling. Each week, world-class musicians take the stage to share not only their sound, but the personal and cultural stories behind it. Join us Wednesday evenings this summer for a series that moves to the beat of connection, tradition, and discovery. THIS EVENING'S PERFORMANCE: Jim Thomas Spirituals Choir

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