Up-Island

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Lighthouse Rd.

State Rd. Moshup T rail 2

6 5 4

State Rd. North Rd.

7 3

Middle Rd.

South Rd. 12 11

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1

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TAKE A DRIVE UP-ISLAND

THE RURAL WESTERN END OF THE VINEYARD is known locally as "up-

Island." The expression is a holdover from seafaring days when ships traveling west moved up the scale of longitude. The rolling countryside encompasses the three towns of West Tisbury, Chilmark and Aquinnah.

WINDING THROUGH PASTURES dotted with grazing sheep and alongside ancient stone walls, it is possible to imagine the Vineyard as it was when the Wampanoag Indians hunted for whitetailed deer and colonists farmed the land. Heading toward the dramatic cliffs of Gay Head, shade trees line the roadside. Watch for spectacular views of the Atlantic Ocean and coastal ponds on South Road. 1. TOWN OF WEST TISBURY Located at the intersection of the Edgartown-West Tisbury Road and State Road, this town typifies the old New England village. Alley’s General Store, opened in 1858, is the oldest operating store on Martha's Vineyard. The First Congregational Church, built in 1833 and originally located at the cemetery on State Road, was moved in 1866. Constructed in 1859 and restored in 1997, the post-and-beam barn known as the Grange Hall hosts outdoor markets, festivals, concerts and lectures. Across the street is the Field Gallery, home to whimsical lawn sculptures and an indoor gallery with works from various artists.

2. CHRISTIANTOWN Native Americans called this place Mackkonnetchasqua, and it was included in the bounds of Christiantown, given by Sachem Josias in 1659. The township was governed by the tribesmen under England’s Society for the Propagation of the Gospel. Many of the Wampanoag Indians adopted Christianity through the ministry of Thomas Mayhew Jr., one of the original colonists. Graves here reflect both pagan and Christian beliefs. A tiny chapel, dating from 1828, still stands. The tribe bought the cemetery back from the county in recent years.

3. FULLING MILL BROOK PRESERVE Between Middle Road and South Road. The easy walk through this MV Land Bank property includes crisscrossing a babbling brook, wandering an open meadow, exploring glacial rocks and enjoying the cool oak canopy on a hot day.

4. MENEMSHA HILLS Off North Road. Owned by The Trustees of Reservations, this 211-acre site offers a moderate, 3-mile hiking trail and, at 308 feet, boasts the highest elevation of any conservation area on the Island. From the top of the sandy bluffs to the rocky north shore below, it’s a beautiful stroll.

5. MENEMSHA A quintessential New England fishing village, Menemsha is also a working harbor; boats dock and unload their catch here. Film buffs may recognize scenes from the movie Jaws, which was filmed here and in other Island locations. In season, cyclists can continue their up-Island journey by taking the bike ferry across to Lobsterville. The public beach, a popular spot during the day, gets even more crowded as people gather to watch the sun set. The fish markets offer carry-out meals to accompany the show. Parking is limited.

6. NASHAQUITSA LOOKOUT This stop affords a lovely view of Nashaquitsa Pond (known to most as Quitsa www.mvol.com 37

Pond) with Menemsha Pond beyond it with the shoreline and small craft spread out below. On a clear day, the Elizabeth Islands are visible in the distance.

7. BEETLEBUNG CORNER South, Middle and Menemsha Cross Roads converge to form the heart of Chilmark where the town hall, 1843 church, library and community center are located. Beetlebung Farm's farm stand is also here, and a short distance away is the summer dance colony known as The Yard.

8. GAY HEAD CLIFFS, LIGHTHOUSE & WAMPANOAG MUSEUM Steeped in natural history covering millions of years, the red clay cliffs have yielded fossils of ancient flowers, sharks and camels. Gay Head Lighthouse stands on the cliffs in the town of Aquinnah, where Wampanoag Indians still live. Their heritage is celebrated at the Aquinnah Wampanoag Indian Museum, located across from the lighthouse. Visit the Aquinnah shops for lunch or a souvenir. to stop here. As early as the 1850s, a textile mill was built next to the pond to manufacture a variety of fabrics from local wool.

10. MANUEL F. CORRELLUS STATE FOREST Centrally located and covering 5,100 acres, this forest is crisscrossed by walking and bike trails that stretch for miles. In 1908, part of the forest was set aside to protect the now-extinct heath hen. In 1916 a fire killed most of these birds on their nests; the last one was seen in 1932.

11. AGRICULTURAL HALL 35 Panhandle Road, West Tisbury. Home to the Martha’s Vineyard Agricultural Society, the hall (and adjacent barns and grounds) is the site of the annual Martha’s Vineyard Agricultural Fair and a variety of other community events, including the West Tisbury Farmers' Market on Wednesdays and Saturdays through October.

9. OLD MILL POND 690 Edgartown-West Tisbury Road, West Tisbury. Geese and swans nibbling breadcrumbs by the pond are notorious for sauntering across the road and forcing cars 12. THE POLLY HILL ARBORETUM 809 State Road, West Tisbury. Encompassing 40 acres of woodlands and 20 acres of trees and gardens, the arboretum is the legacy of horticulturist Polly Hill’s experiments with the best plants to grow on-Island. Open from sunrise to sunset.