The recent purchase of a house at Seven Gates by former Secretary of State John F. Kerry prompted me to regret being retired from title examining.

Former Secretary of State John F. Kerry has bought an 18.5-acre waterfront property at Seven Gates Farm for $11.75 million.

The history of Seven Gates Farm goes back to 1887, and for generations a parade of farmers, shareholders and conservationists have done just about all they could to keep the land and buildings of this enclave looking, working and feeling largely unchanged.

Offered By
Karen M. Overtoom
Real Estate
Beautifully designed and built 3 bed/2.5 bath home is sited on 5.3 acres bordered by stone walls overlooking a lovely meadow. Expansion potential to 5 bedrooms on the existing foundation.

The state Department of Revenue has agreed to allow a large portion of Seven Gates Farm in West Tisbury to be classified as a working farm and recreational land under chapter 61A and 61B of the Massachusetts General Laws, a decision that will cost the town of West Tisbury some $100,000 in lost property tax revenue.

Effective July 1, the changed classification will apply to some 930 acres of common land at Seven Gates, a residential community that spans the towns of Chilmark and West Tisbury and includes some 1,600 acres.

Conservation Society Walk

Explores Seven Gates Farm

The Vineyard Conservation Society winter walks program, focusing on the Island’s agricultural heritage, will continue on Sunday, Feb. 10, beginning at 1:30 p.m., with a guided walk at the 1,100 acres of protected open space at Seven Gates Farm.

Guarding the Flanks of Conservation

By IAN FEIN

From her hilltop home in Seven Gates Farm in West Tisbury, Elizabeth
(Tess) Bramhall can tell the month of the year by where the sun sets on
the horizon.

"In December it goes down just to the left of the Gay Head
Lighthouse, and we lose it for two weeks in June when it goes all the
way north," she said, looking out over a panoramic view of
Vineyard Sound.