Edgartown

Edgartown: Old Whaling Church

Edgartown, town (township), seat of Dukes county, southeastern Massachusetts, U.S. The town comprises Chappaquiddick Island and the eastern tip of the island of Martha’s Vineyard. The oldest settlement on the island, Edgartown dates from 1642 and was incorporated in 1671 and named for Edgar, son of James II of England; the town had previously been called Nunnepog (Algonquian for “Fresh Pond”). In the 18th century Edgartown was the prosperous home port of many whaling vessels. Houses built by successful whalers and merchants line the town streets. Among the oldest buildings are Vincent House (1672) and the Thomas Cooke House (1766), now part of a historical museum. Edgartown depends greatly on summer tourists for revenue and has excellent beaches and provisions for yachting and other marine recreation. Within the township are the Cape Poge Wildlife Refuge, Felix Neck (a bird sanctuary), and part of Martha’s Vineyard State Forest. Martha’s Vineyard and Chappaquiddick Island are connected by ferry. In 1969 national attention was focused on Chappaquiddick after a car driven by Senator Edward (Ted) Kennedy went over the side of an unmarked bridge there, and his passenger drowned. Area 27 square miles (70 square km). Pop. (2000) 3,779; (2010) 4,067.