- Tourists have flocked to Martha’s Vineyard for over 100 years for summer getaways.
- Originally settled by Native Americans, the island became a wealthy enclave by the 1830s.
- By the 1950s, Oak Bluffs on Martha’s Vineyard was a popular spot for Black families.
Nothing screams summer in New England quite like a day trip to the shores of Martha’s Vineyard — something tourists have been doing for well over 100 years.
First inhabited by the Wampanoag people, Martha’s Vineyard has been a playground for the ultrawealthy ever since whaling captains began building impressive homes there between 1830 and 1845, The New York Times reported.
By the early 1900s, the island was established as a resort destination for wealthy New Englanders, and by the 1950s, Oak Bluffs on Martha’s Vineyard had become a popular destination for Black families and residents to live and vacation, according to Britannica.
Here’s a look at what it used to be like to vacation on Martha’s Vineyard.
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