National Register of Historic Places listings in Dukes County, Massachusetts facts for kids
This article is about the cool and historic places in Dukes County, Massachusetts, that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This special list includes buildings, sites, and objects that are important to American history, architecture, archaeology, engineering, or culture.
Dukes County is a beautiful area, mostly made up of Martha's Vineyard and the Elizabeth Islands. It has 22 places on this important list. One of them is a National Historic Landmark, which means it's extra special! Another is a National Historic Landmark District, which is a whole area with many important historic buildings. One of these, Wesleyan Grove, is so important it's listed twice!
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Historic Treasures in Dukes County
Dukes County is full of amazing places that tell stories about the past. Let's explore some of them!
The Flying Horses Carousel
The Flying Horses Carousel is located in Oak Bluffs. It's one of the oldest carousels in the United States! It was built way back in 1876 and moved to Oak Bluffs in 1884. This carousel is a National Historic Landmark, which means it's super important to the country's history. Kids and adults still love riding its beautiful wooden horses.
Lighthouses of Dukes County
Dukes County has many lighthouses that have guided ships for a long time. They are all very important historic places.
Cape Poge Light
The Cape Poge Light is on Chappaquiddick Island near Edgartown. It's a tall, white lighthouse that helps boats find their way. It was first built in 1801, but the current tower is from 1893.
East Chop Light
The East Chop Light is in Oak Bluffs. This lighthouse was built in 1871. It's a white, cylindrical tower that stands high on a bluff, offering amazing views of the ocean.
Edgartown Harbor Light
The Edgartown Harbor Light is right off Edgartown. This lighthouse was first built in 1828. The current cast-iron tower was moved here from another location in 1939. It's a popular spot for photos!
Gay Head-Aquinnah Light
The Gay Head-Aquinnah Light is in Aquinnah. This lighthouse was built in 1856 near the famous colorful clay cliffs. It replaced an even older lighthouse from 1799. It's a very famous landmark on Martha's Vineyard.
Tarpaulin Cove Light
The Tarpaulin Cove Light is on Naushon Island in Gosnold. This lighthouse has been helping sailors since 1817. The current tower was built in 1891.
West Chop Light Station
The West Chop Light Station is in Tisbury. This lighthouse was built in 1817 and then rebuilt in 1891. It's an important guide for ships entering Vineyard Haven harbor.
Historic Districts and Unique Places
Some places on the list are not just one building but a whole area, or a very special type of place.
Edgartown Village Historic District
The Edgartown Village Historic District covers a large part of Edgartown. This area is famous for its beautiful old houses that belonged to whaling captains. Walking through this district feels like stepping back in time!
Wesleyan Grove (Martha's Vineyard Campground)
Wesleyan Grove, also known as the Martha's Vineyard Campground, is a very unique place in Oak Bluffs. It started as a religious camp meeting site in the 1830s. Over time, people built hundreds of small, colorful cottages, often called "gingerbread" houses, in place of tents. It's a National Historic Landmark District because it's such a special example of American history and architecture.
Gay Head-Aquinnah Town Center Historic District
The Gay Head-Aquinnah Town Center Historic District is in Aquinnah. This district includes important buildings like the church and other community buildings that show the history of the Wampanoag people and the town.
Edwin DeVries Vanderhoop Homestead
The Edwin DeVries Vanderhoop Homestead is also in Aquinnah. This historic home from the 1800s belonged to a Wampanoag family. Today, it's the Aquinnah Cultural Center, where you can learn about the history and culture of the Wampanoag tribe.
Polly Hill Arboretum Historic District
The Polly Hill Arboretum Historic District is in West Tisbury. This beautiful arboretum is a special garden with many different kinds of trees and plants. It was created by Polly Hill, who was passionate about growing plants.
Old Mill, West Tisbury
The Old Mill in West Tisbury is a historic grist mill. It was used to grind grain into flour. It's a great example of early American industry and how people used to make food.
Other Notable Places
Here are some other interesting places in Dukes County that are on the National Register of Historic Places:
- The Arcade in Oak Bluffs is a historic building on Circuit Avenue.
- Barn House in Chilmark is a unique historic home.
- Ritter House in Vineyard Haven is a historic building on Beach Street.
- Tashmoo Springs Pumping Station in Tisbury helped provide water to the area.
- Dr. Harrison A. Tucker Cottage in Oak Bluffs is a historic cottage on Ocean Avenue.
- Union Chapel in Oak Bluffs is a beautiful historic church.
- West Chop Club Historic District in Tisbury is a historic area with many important buildings.
- William Street Historic District in Tisbury is another historic street with interesting old buildings.
Images for kids
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The Arcade in Oak Bluffs.
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The Barn House in Chilmark.
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The Ritter House in Vineyard Haven.
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The Tashmoo Springs Pumping Station.
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Dr. Harrison A. Tucker Cottage.
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Union Chapel in Oak Bluffs.
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The West Chop Club.
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A house in the William Street Historic District.
