Edgartown Village Historic District facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Edgartown Village Historic District
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Old Whaling Church
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 Location in Massachusetts
Location in the United States
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| Location | Edgartown, Massachusetts |
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| Architectural style | Late Victorian, Federal |
| NRHP reference No. | 83003967 |
| Added to NRHP | December 9, 1983 |
The Edgartown Village Historic District is a special area in Edgartown, Massachusetts, located on the beautiful island of Martha's Vineyard. It's like a living museum, showing how the town grew, especially during the 1800s. This district covers about 500 acres and includes many historic buildings.
Here you can see grand old houses that belonged to wealthy ship captains. There are also important public buildings like the Dukes County Courthouse and the famous Old Whaling Church. Because of its unique history and architecture, this entire area was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1983.
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Exploring Edgartown's Historic Village
The Edgartown Village Historic District is a place where history comes alive. It helps protect the old buildings and the unique feel of the town. Walking through this district is like stepping back in time to see how people lived long ago.
A Glimpse into the Past
Edgartown was first settled after 1641. Before that, the Wampanoag people lived in this area. The town officially became a part of Massachusetts in 1671.
Some very old buildings from the early days still stand. For example, the Captain D. Fisher House on North Water Street was built around 1704. Most houses from the 1700s were built in a simple, local style. The Thomas Cooke House, built around 1765, is a good example of a Georgian-style house.
Whaling Days and Grand Homes
Edgartown was a very busy place in the early 1800s. This was when the whaling industry was at its peak. Whaling meant hunting whales for their oil, which was used for lamps and other products. This industry brought a lot of money to the town.
Because of the whaling boom, many homes from this time were built in the Greek Revival style. This style was very popular back then. Most of these homes were one-and-a-half stories tall and had simple decorations. The Fisher House on Morse Street is one of the most detailed Greek Revival homes in the village.
After the whaling industry declined, fewer new buildings were constructed. However, between 1895 and 1930, many summer homes were built. These often featured the Colonial Revival style, which looked back to earlier American architecture.
Famous Buildings to See
The district is home to several important buildings. The Dukes County Courthouse and Jail are historic public buildings. The Federated Church and the Old Whaling Church are also key landmarks. These buildings tell the story of Edgartown's past as a busy port town.
