Aquinnah, Massachusetts facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Aquinnah, Massachusetts
Âhqunah
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| Town of Aquinnah | ||
The Clay Cliffs of Aquinnah and the Gay Head Lighthouse on the western end of Martha's Vineyard.
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Location in Dukes County in Massachusetts
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| Country | United States | |
| State | Massachusetts | |
| County | Dukes | |
| Settled | 1669 | |
| Incorporated | April 13, 1870 (as Gay Head) | |
| Government | ||
| • Type | Open town meeting | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 40.8 sq mi (105.6 km2) | |
| • Land | 5.4 sq mi (13.9 km2) | |
| • Water | 35.4 sq mi (91.7 km2) | |
| Elevation | 98 ft (30 m) | |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 439 | |
| • Density | 81.3/sq mi (31.6/km2) | |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern) | |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (Eastern) | |
| ZIP code |
02535
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| Area code(s) | 508 / 774 | |
| FIPS code | 25-01585 | |
| GNIS feature ID | 0618289 | |
Aquinnah (/əˈkwɪnə/ uh-KWIN-uh; Wampanoag: Âhqunah) is a small town in Massachusetts, United States. It is located on the western tip of Martha's Vineyard island.
From 1870 to 1997, the town was known as Gay Head. In 2020, about 439 people lived there. Aquinnah is famous for its beautiful clay cliffs and peaceful nature. It is also very important to the Wampanoag Native American tribe. In 1965, the amazing Gay Head Cliffs became a National Natural Landmark.
Aquinnah is a special place for Wampanoag culture. It is a source of pride for members of the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head. This tribe is one of two federally recognized Wampanoag tribes in Massachusetts. About one-third of the town's voters are part of this tribe.
This area was an early spot for whaling. The Wampanoag people hunted whales with harpoons long before large whaling ships became popular. This was a major industry for places like Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket in the 1800s.
Contents
History of Aquinnah
Before English settlers arrived, the Wampanoag people lived on Martha's Vineyard and in Aquinnah. They are a Native American group. They are related to the larger Algonquin Nation of Southern New England. Historically, they spoke an Algonquian language. This language family was spoken by many tribes along the Atlantic Coast.
The Wampanoag have a unique history. Their creation story says their ancestors came to the island on an ice floe from the far North. They worked with English settlers during King Philip's War. They also hunted whales from small boats. A character named Tashtego in the famous book Moby-Dick is a Native American harpooner from Aquinnah.
English colonists first settled this area in 1669. Later, in 1870, the town of Aquinnah was officially separated from Chilmark. It was named Gay Head, Massachusetts. The name "Gay Head" described the bright colors of the cliffs.
In 1997, the town voted to change its name to Aquinnah. This name comes from the Wampanoag language. It means "land under the hill." A Wampanoag community has always lived in the town. The Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head gained official recognition from the U.S. government in 1987. They control their own tribal lands within the town.
The most amazing feature of this small town is its brightly colored clay cliffs. These cliffs are protected by law. It is against the rules to climb on them or touch the clay. This helps keep them safe for everyone.
Moshup's Beach and the Cliffs
At the bottom of the cliffs is Moshup's Beach. It is named after a great Aquinnah Wampanoag sachem, or leader. People say he helped create many of the island's natural features. The ocean water here is a rare aqua color. The waves are often taller than in other nearby areas. Sometimes, the water looks red, white, or gray. This happens when clay from the cliffs washes into the ocean.
Police and Wampanoag Conservation Rangers patrol the cliffs. They use ATVs to make sure visitors do not disturb the clay. They also teach people about how important the cliffs are to the Wampanoag tribe. In Massachusetts, it is against the law to disturb the clay. You could be fined or arrested for it.
Geography of Aquinnah
Aquinnah is a small town with a total area of about 40.8 square miles (105.6 square kilometers). Most of this area, about 35.4 square miles (91.7 square kilometers), is water. Only about 5.4 square miles (13.9 square kilometers) is land. This makes Aquinnah the smallest town by land area on Martha's Vineyard.
Aquinnah is surrounded by water on three sides. Vineyard Sound is to the north and northwest. The Atlantic Ocean is to the south and west. To the east, Aquinnah borders the town of Chilmark.
The town is separated from Chilmark by Menemsha Bight, Menemsha Pond, and Squibnocket Pond. The main road into Aquinnah runs between these ponds. Aquinnah has four beaches: Philbin Beach, Moshup Beach, Long Beach, and Lobsterville Beach. The famous Gay Head Cliffs are at the western end of town. The Gay Head Lighthouse stands there.
There is no direct way to travel from Aquinnah to the mainland. Many visitors fly into Martha's Vineyard Airport. This airport is in nearby West Tisbury. Others travel by car and ferry. The Woods Hole Ferry is in Vineyard Haven, about seventeen miles from Aquinnah.
Population and People
Aquinnah is a small community. In 2020, its population was 439 people.
The town has a mix of different people. In 2000, about 53% of the people were White. About 36% were Native American, mostly Wampanoag. The rest were from other racial backgrounds. About 1% of the population was Hispanic or Latino.
The average age in Aquinnah in 2000 was 37 years old. About 25% of the people were under 18. About 10% were 65 or older. The average household had about 2.44 people.
Education
Students in Aquinnah attend schools in the Martha's Vineyard Regional School District. Younger students go to Chilmark Elementary School or Up-Island School in West Tisbury. High school students from the entire island attend Martha's Vineyard Regional High School. This school is located in Oak Bluffs.
The high school sports teams are called the Vineyarders. Their colors are purple and white. They have a long-standing rivalry with Nantucket High School. The yearly Island Cup football game between the two schools is very popular.
Images for kids
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The Vanderhoop Homestead, looking towards the western-facing coastline.
See also
In Spanish: Aquinnah (Massachusetts) para niños
