The Martha’s Vineyard Agricultural Society have purchased some three acres of land in West Tisbury, of Mrs. Hannah Look, and the Society will shortly erect a building thereon.
With $300,000 cash and the unified support of town leaders and residents, the Martha’s Vineyard Preservation Trust today purchases the old agricultural hall on State Road in West Tisbury.
The deal, which had been expected for several months, allows the Edgartown-based trust to acquire the 138-year-old hall from the town and begin restoration work.
Once considered on of the Island’s most important and recognizable buildings, the hall now suffers from considerable disrepair and is no longer a center of local activity.
The West Tisbury Grange No. 251, one of the Island’s oldest social and fraternal organizations, has disbanded. The last meeting was held more than a week ago. The master of the Grange, John S. Alley, removed the charter from the building on Wednesday. He plans to return the framed, yellowed 105-year old document to the Boston headquarters.
It was a sad moment for this ordinarily cheerful West Tisbury resident whose memories of the organization go back for many years.
