Martha’s Vineyard Through Time

This book is primarily for those who visit Martha’s Vineyard, but know little about it. Its rich history is briefly reviewed in the introduction. Following this, the nature, extent and direction of many of the changes that have occurred are identified through the comparison of paired photographs taken well over 100 years apart. Change usually occurs gradually, incrementally, but here we can comprehend its outcome in an instant.
This is a small island, but it is a large subject. The theme of this book is largely kept to the design of hardscape and landscape. Because it is an island, fashionable trends in design did not cycle through here as they have on the mainland, allowing much of the local architecture to remain idiosyncratic and iconic. Another generator of this island’s atmosphere has been its development as a summer destination and retreat. This will be the subject of a following book, Martha’s Vineyard Through Time: Tourism and the Cleansing Sea.