by Diane Alter
The dress code on Martha’s Vineyard is casual, but serious cultural class on the island abounds. You can find it in the writers, artists, chefs, and historians who flock to the Vineyard and explore the island’s rich history.
Visitors can explore and discover the MV’s storied past and intriguing future at the Martha’s Vineyard Museum, which recently relocated.
Located at 151 Lagoon Pond Road, Vineyard Haven, the newly renovated MV Museum boasts 14 exhibition spaces, a classroom and program room, research library, gift show and café. A glass pavilion housing the 1854 Fresnel Lens from the iconic Gay Head Light sits behind the main building.
The museum is excited to showcase its new accommodations with several events for the summer season.
June 4 at 6 p.m. features a concert by Jim Kweskin, the founder of the legendary 1960s Jim Kweskin Jug Band. The group is credited with transforming the sounds of pre-World War II rural music into a springboard for their lively and humorous performance. Currently, Jim is renowned as an engaging singer and bandleader.
On June 8, the museum hosts the MV non-fiction book club. Thereafter, the book club meetings will be held monthly on the second Saturday of every month at 10 a.m. All are welcome.
The museum presents the island’s homespun punk rock band, the Kahoots, on June 11 at 6 p.m.
The 21st annual evening gala will be held on June 29 at 5:30 p.m. This year’s theme for the museum’s largest annual fundraiser is an Evening of Discovery. Tickets sell out quickly so plan ahead.
On July 29 at 5:30 p.m., come out and join the MV Museum staff board for the annual meeting, which will highlight all the many accomplishments the museum achieved in 2018. A medal ceremony will honor island leaders who have made outstanding commitments to preserving the Vineyard’s history arts, and culture. A reception will follow.
Open year-round Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the museum has extended hours to 8 p.m. on Tuesday. The café, managed by Buckley’s Gourmet Catering, is also opened year-round.
For more information visit www.mvmuseum.org.
