Wampum: A Vineyard Tradition

The beauty of Martha’s Vineyard is not only captured in the picturesque cliffs of Aquinnah or in a Menemsha sunset but also in the shell of a Quahog clam. Wampum, which was first created by the Wampanoag Tribe of Martha’s Vineyard, has held great historical significance to islanders and visitors alike. The deep purple beads and jewelry formed from shells are just another way the natural beauty of the island is being celebrated and preserved.

Cutting out disks of color from the shell created the beads and only a few beads could be formed from each shell. Originally, Wampum was used as a form of oral tradition among the tribe. Belts were created to help to pass on the history of the tribe and certain patterns had the potential to declare peace or initiate war.

Today, the beauty of wampum is captured in jewelry found in various stores around the island.  Whether you are buying your first piece of wampum jewelry, giving a gift or adding to your own personal collection, Wampum is a great way to take the beauty and history of Martha’s Vineyard home with you.

Martha’s Vineyard Vacation Rental: Aquinnah Experience

The first time I saw this house, I was struck by three things: the way the house blends in to the land around it, the windows and the deck! The colors of the exterior effortlessly to blend in with the sand, the stone wall and the surrounding trees. The windows reflect and become part of the sky overhead.

And the windows that are so captivating from the outside, are better from the inside with views of Vineyard Sound, sunsets and star-filled Vineyard night skies. The house sits atop a hill, making the views even more breathtaking. The floor to ceiling windows also provide an extraordinary amount of light to the interior, so you’ll never be far from the Island sun.

The deck is quite luxurious and paired with the swimming pool set behind the house and this huge kitchen, this vacation rental is a great spot to entertain. The house itself sleeps eight with four bedrooms and three full baths. And, if you need more than a pool, Philbin and Lobsterville Beaches are within 1.5 miles of the house which is located on Sandcastle Lane – how much more dreamy does it get?

Contact me for more information or to book this Martha’s Vineyard waterfront vacation rental!

Martha’s Vineyard Vacation Rental: Aquinnah Beach House

One of the many things that makes Aquinnah so special is the drive. There is no instant gratification, let me put it that way. Unless you count the drive itself. Aquinnah rests at the most westernly point on Martha’s Vineyard, asking visitors to drive all the way across the island  to get there. Depending on where you start, you’ll get to see bustling towns, state forest, pastures, woodlands and shorelines on your way.

This quintessential Aquinnah beach house has everything you need for the perfect visit to this ancient, native, quiet tip of the island. The most noticeable is the Second floor viewing post. Most Aquinnah houses boast a second story balcony or deck allowing its inhabitants to see over the trees and right to the beach and this house is no exception – it actually has two off the bedrooms. The sunsets in Aquinnah are legendary as the colors bounce off the cliffs. And this house also features a large back deck for extra viewing.

Dog Fish Bar Beach is 100 yards from the house – making it perfect for playing, swimming, surfing, strolling and sunbathing whenever you want. You don’t have to pack the cooler for this trip to the surf, unless you really, really just want to lay down in the sand and not move all day!

The house is almost as beautiful as its outside setting – but nothing’s that gorgeous! Wood furniture and trim throughout are compliemented by huge windows letting in sun and ocean air. The dining room table is long and strong – ready for all of the lobsters, local tomatoes & corn on the cob and pie you care to load on top!

Contact me for rental info!

Aquinnah Cliffs image credit: Anneh632

What is Wampum and Why is it Special to Martha’s Vineyard

Wampum, that beautiful, purpley, white bead, has very significant meaning and the shells it is made from are abundant on Martha’s Vineyard.

The term Wampum comes from a word “wampumpeag”, which in Narraganset, most literally means “white string of beads”.

Wampum beads are made in two colors: white, “Wòmpi”, beads from the whelk and purple-black ,“Súki”, beads from the growth rings of the Quahog shell.

It was originally used by Indigenious Americans, Native Americans and traders as a form of currency. In the year 1637 the Massachusetts General Court officially announced that 6 beads were equal to one penny.

Wampum was also commonly used to pay taxes. But Wampum was certainly used for more than just money. It was very symbolic and often used for engagements, marriages, ceremony and condolence ceremonies. The creamy white colored shell beads of the symbolized internal energies of peace, harmony, and contentment. In fact, the traditional wedding band of the Wampanoag is made of white Wampum.

Sadly, Wampum can no longer be used to pay taxes, but on Martha’s Vineyard, the jewelry created with Wampum by the Wampanoag Tribe is a treasured resource. While Wampum is available across the island, it’s worth the ride to Aquinnah, the home of the Wampanoag and the most beautiful Wampum designs I’ve seen.

Aquinnah, It’s Worth The Drive

It’s true, it’s a long haul all the way to the cliffs of Aquinnah (formerly Gay Head) on Martha’s Vineyard, but it pays off. Breathtaking views of the ocean, a tiny little island town, beaches for miles, a 212 year old lighthouse and, of course, the cliffs, swirls of red and orange clay cascading down into the beautiful Atlantic ocean.

The little town atop the cliffs is most commonly referred to as The Aquinnah Circle. In the summertime and fall the circle is full of little souvenir shops that sell adorable island treasures, especially Wampum bracelets, necklaces and earrings.

Also in the circle you can find the delicious Aquinnah Restaurant.  Operated and run by two Wampanoag families, the restaurant is open from mid-April to mid-October. A favorite breakfast is the Tomahawk special, which consists of two homemade fish cakes atop poached eggs, covered with salsa and melted cheddar cheese. They also serve lunch, a variety of sandwiches, burgers and delicious salads. Dinner entrees consist of a large array of island seafood including scallops, mussels, striped bass, shrimp, lobster and much more.

If you’re looking to stay in Aquinnah, try the Outermost Inn. Run by the island’s own Taylor family (yes, as in James)!  For more information visit their website.

Aquinnah is most popular in the summertime while it is busy and bustling, but even in the offseason a long walk on the beach in one of nature’s most beautiful island locations is dynamic.

If you choose to rent a house up-island in Aquinnah, we have many to choose from, like this:

Expect quiet, amazing sunsets and sweeping views.

Martha’s Vineyard Lingo: To Help You Get Around the Island

Some handy terms and quick explanations you should know so that you can find your way around the island and sound like an islander…

1. You are going for a vacation ‘on’ the Vineyard, not ‘in’ or ‘at’ the Vineyard.
2. ‘Chappy’ is short for Chappaquiddick, not what happens to your lips when you’ve been out in the sun for too long. Chappaquiddick is a small island that lies off the eastern tip of Martha’s Vineyard and is part of Edgartown. You can get to Chappy via a small ferry that holds a couple of cars and a bunch of people and bikes. It’s a great day trip from the Vineyard. Don’t forget to pack a lunch!
3. 5 Corners is an adventuresome intersection in downtown Vineyard Haven. It is called 5 Corners because there are 5 streets that form the intersection. Move with caution as only 3 of the approaching roads have stop signs and the other 2 have the right of way. Drive slowly, be nice, enjoy this quirky attraction, and you’ll be just fine.
4. ‘Squibby’ is short for one of the island’s beach treasures, Squibnocket, located in Chilmark as you head towards Aquinnah.
5. The ‘Flying Horses’ make up the country’s oldest horse carousel. They are beautiful and an island highlight right in downtown Oak Bluffs.
6. ‘Gay Head’ is now called ‘Aquinnah’ and it is the town at the farthest end from the ferries. It is the home of the Wampanoag Native American tribe and the stunning Aquinnah cliffs.
7. ‘Quahog’s’ are clams….so Martha’s Vineyard’s quahog chowdah is clam chowdah – only better.

Martha’s Vineyard LINGO: Up-Island & Down-Island

On Martha’s Vineyard, we speak our own island language…
When you arrive on the island, you’ll discover quickly that the island has been divided, more or less, into two parts: up-island and down-island.

Up-Island
When you hear someone say ‘up-island,’ they are referring to the towns of West Tisbury, Aquinnah, Chilmark and it’s small fishing harbor, Menemsha. The up-island towns are quiet, quaint and slow with each town center consisting, primarily, of town hall, the library, the post office and a few choice stores, galleries, restaurants and inns.

The houses up-island are spread out and often secluded, and the landscape features forests, rolling hills, farms and beach highlights like the cliffs in Aquinnah. When you’re up-island, you’ll spend time in your car or on your bike fetching groceries and glimpsing civilization…but, only if you want to.

Down-Island
Down-island refers to Edgartown, Vineyard Haven (Tisbury) and Oak Bluffs. These three towns are known for their bustling and unique ‘downtowns’ packed with dynamic shopping, art, food, dining and entertainment. With an abundance of summer traffic, people and cars, their is also an endless list of things to do and see.

While there are quiet beaches to be found, the main down-island beaches, State Beach in Oak Bluffs and South Beach in Edgartown/Katama, are bustling with people, beach games and surf from dawn to dusk.

And…just to make things a little more interesting, there’s a small island off the coast of Edgartown called Chappaquiddick, or ‘Chappy’, that serves as the ‘up-island’ of Edgartown. It’s small and quiet. There aren’t many cars, houses are spread out and the beaches are incredible.