M ARTHA’ S VI N E YARD
An Historical Aquinnah Meander Toad Rock, Ancestral Post Office By Michelle Haynes
Photo: Nancy Woods
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Photo: Tim Johnson
mages of Martha’s Vineyard almost always include the iconic Gay Head Cliffs, probably the most photographed spot on the island, and for good reason. Dating back centuries, the red clay cliffs standing sentry beneath the sky are an ever-changing palette of color offering spectacular shades of red and brown, especially at sunset. The ancestral and present home to the island’s first residents, the Wampanoag Indians, the area offers a number of historical treasures honoring Aquinnah’s rich cultural legacy including a Bird’s Eye View discovery that fits perfectly into our “off the beaten track” hikes. “Toad Rock is a special place and is part of our oral histories of the island,” says Tobias Vanderhoop, vice-president of the Aquinnah Cultural Center. “The Toad was a companion to Moshup, the main figure in a number of our oral traditions. According to the Moshup stories, at the time when Moshup was to leave Aquinnah for the last time he turned his loyal friend Toad to stone to protect him from being hurt by newcomers to our island home. In our modern history it is true that there was a time when outgoing letters were left in one opening and incoming messages in another. It was an easy way to deliver mail in those days. Most recently, the Tribe named our monthly Finding Aquinnah’s Toad Rock newsletter The Toad Rock Times in order to honor that history.” In spite of an easy well-marked trail to Toad Rock, an informal Bird’s Eye View Start at the intersection of the survey of visitors and locals revealed few folks knew of the trail or of Toad Rock. State Road and Moshup Trail. “It is not surprising that many people are not aware of Toad Rock, but it is wonderful Proceed down the Moshup Trail 0.8 miles and that there are opportunities like this one for people to learn more about Wampanoag history and special places on our island home,” says Vanderhoop. turn right at this sign. 52
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