These photographs were collected by local historian Stan Lair (1902-1987) during the 1970's and 1980's from a wide variety of sources. He supplemented them with his own modern photos (included here) as well as handwritten notes on the back (and sometimes the front) of most of the images. We have transcribed his notes, as well as any captions or signs visible in the image. [Additional comments (marked [W.R. 1999]) have been provided by Walter Renear of Vineyard Haven.]
Sorry, but I cannot make copies of these photos available at this time. Try the Martha's Vineyard Historical Society, who may have copies of some of these photos in their files.
Can you identify something in one of these photos that is not noted - a person, building, location, or event? How about the time period? Or do you know where one of these photos came from? Please Let me know!
Index to Photographs:
Men and Boy Sitting Near Boat Houses
Schooner at Shore, Wrecked?
Cars Parked at Owen Park; View of Harbor
Boat Houses Along Harbor Shore
M.V.H. Baseball Team, Posing in Uniform
Names on Back of M.V.H. Baseball Team Photo
Old Brush House, Spring Street, Before the Great Fire
Old Brush House, Spring Street, Before the Great Fire
View of Mill and North Edge of Town
View of House; Woman on Porch
Vacant Interior of Home
Folk Artist's Painting of a Town
Panorama of Harbor Shore from Union Wharf
The Mill; View of Town and Harbor
Old Whaling Church Steeple Through the Trees
Paddlewheel Steamer Martha's Vineyard En Route for Gay Head
Wrecks in Harbor Following 1898 Gale
View of Lagoon, Beach Road, and Harbor from Marine Hospital
View of Harbor from Marine Hospital, c. 1979
View of Beach Road from Marine Hospital, c. 1979
Old Vineyard Haven Public Library, Other Shops, Main Street
Building, Main Street
View of Innisfail from Across the Lagoon
Two Women on Beach Near Union Wharf
Looking Toward Harbor From a Cottage Near Innisfail
Looking Toward Harbor From Innisfail
The Schooner 'Wilfred W. Fuller' at Hart Haven, 1902
Union Wharf Rebuilt Around Wreck of Schooner Newburgh
Betty Benz Tea House at the Beach Road Bridge
Art Smith Chopping Wood
Road Looking West, West Chop
View of Beach Road from Marine Hospital, c. 1979
View of Beach Road and Harbor from Marine Hospital, c. 1979
View of Harbor and Breakwater From Shore, c. 1979
Ferry Passing West Chop, c. 1979
View of Beach Road and Lagoon from Marine Hospital, c. 1979
Sailboat and Ferry Entering Harbor, c. 1979
Beach Road, Harbor & West Chop fm Marine Hospital, c. 1979
Ice on West Chop Wharf, Feb. 1979
Ice on West Chop Wharf, Feb. 1979
Bath Houses and Steamer Landing at West Chop
Vineyard Haven After Great Fire of 1883 - Steeple View #1
Downtown Area Untouched Great Fire of 1883 - Steeple View #2
Vineyard Haven After Great Fire of 1883 - Steeple View #3
Illustration of Steamer "Monohansett" On Her Last Trip
Steamship "Islander" Steaming Into Harbor
View Up Church Street to Old Methodist Church
Bird's-Eye View from Mt. Aldworth. (Cows Grazing)
Old Ticket Office, Cars, & Sunfish, at Union Wharf, Late 60s
Ships in Vineyard Haven Harbor, c. 1900
Women in Leafy Float, Parade
William Swift and Swift Bros.'s Store Interior
Welcome Tilton dressed for "canvassing."
B. C. Cromwell & Co., Blacksmiths
Four Men and a Policeman; Shaking Hands
Two Women in Two Cars
View from Methodist Steeple, August 1883?
Children in Carriage
Passenger Steamer
Diver in Helmet Entering Water
SBS Store Exterior, "Grocery Sell-Out", 1939
Policeman and Children Passing Lane's Block
View of Harbor From Marine Hospital, c. 1979
Aerial View of James Pond
Aerial View of Mink Meadows
Aerial View of Mink Meadows
Aerial View of James Pond
Aerial View: Where is This?
Aerial View: Where is This?
Aerial View: James Pond
Aerial View: Lamberts Cove
Aerial View of Mink Meadows
Aerial View of West Chop
Aerial View of West Chop
Aerial View of Mink Meadows
Aerial View of Mink Meadows?
Issokson's Tailor Shop, Corner of Main and Union Streets
Aerial View of Beach Road, Lagoon, and Harbor
Men and Boy (S. C. Luce Jr.) Outside Stephen C. Luce Store
Aerial View of Tisbury Marketplace (Duarte Village), 1985
"Jump Spark Jim" West's Store and Truck, Beach Road
Snow Piled at Intersection of Union and Main Streets
Tugboats at Union Wharf
Do you have any suggestions, corrections, or comments about this web page? Email me at cbaer@vineyard.net