09/19/2026
There are the Vineyard Preservation Trust properties you know well, and then there are the historic places quietly woven into the Island’s landscape. Here are five that may be a little less familiar. ➡️🌊⚓️
Norton Boathouse, Edgartown ⚓️
Built in 1840 by Captain Samuel B. Norton, the Norton Boathouse was the headquarters and waterfront retreat of the Norton family, generations of whom made their living on the sea. The Boathouse was a place for the family to relax, entertain, and watch the activity on Edgartown Harbor. Today, it holds a collection of maritime artifacts and photographs and is part of the Vineyard Preservation Trust’s historic walking tour of Edgartown.
Old Mill, West Tisbury 🌿

Set beside a quiet pond, the Old Mill offers a glimpse into centuries of Island life and industry. Once a colonial grist mill and later a woolen mill connected to the whaling era, the property reflects the relationship between work, landscape, and community. For more than 90 years, the Martha’s Vineyard Garden Club lovingly stewarded the property before it was acquired by Vineyard Preservation Trust in 2026.
Chappy Schoolhouse, Chappaquiddick đź“–
This rare one-room schoolhouse served generations of Chappaquiddick children for 75 years, with as many as fourteen students ranging from ages 4 or 5 to 21. After closing in 1920, the building was moved and eventually deeded to Vineyard Preservation Trust, which relocated it to the Historic Marshall Farmstead and restored it to its original appearance. Today, the Schoolhouse is integrated into Slip Away Farm and serves as a gathering space.
Old West Tisbury Library, West Tisbury đź“š

Built by Moses Mitchell as part of the Mitchell Boys School campus, this Second Empire building served as the West Tisbury Library until 1999. The architectural style is relatively rare on Martha’s Vineyard, making the building a particularly distinctive part of the Island’s historic landscape. Today, it is home to Circuit Arts. Circuit Arts
Nathan Mayhew Schoolhouse, Vineyard Haven ⛵️

Built in 1828, the Nathan Mayhew Schoolhouse is the Island’s oldest surviving one-room schoolhouse. The building later housed a maritime museum operated by t
