West Tisbury History
West Tisbury History
June 12, 2017
Like it Was Yesterday, West Tisbury Celebrates 125 Years
On Saturday Islanders gathered at the Agricultural Hall for the West Tisbury town picnic to commemorate the town’s 125th anniversary.
June 8, 2017
West Tisbury Celebrates 125 Years with Town Picnic
This weekend West Tisbury will celebrate its 125th birthday the old fashioned way, with a family picnic, potato sack races, and gallons of lemonade.
October 23, 2014
Island Eccentric Clucked to Her Own Beat
Nancy Luce was born at home in West Tisbury on August 23, 1814. She is remembered as a bit of a loner. But a visit to her gravestone won’t reveal that. Today, her marble gravestone is decorated with chickens of all sizes and colors, although it’s unclear when or why the tradition started.
January 27, 2011
Grange Folds as Sign Comes Down on an Era
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.
January 8, 2010
A Church Dies, Leaves Legacy Of Community
After nearly two centuries, the Lambert’s Cove Church became but a memory last Sunday.
October 9, 2008
Alley's General Store: 150 Years Dealing in Almost Anything
Three dollars can buy one hologram postcard, 12 atomic fireballs, or three peacock feathers at Alley’s General Store.
For those willing to shell out a bit more, the dealers in almost anything can provide nearly everything: organic pet shampoo, a clam rake, a Nunchuck (used for lassoing nuns up to 15 feet), pickled ginger for sushi, or a gallon of milk.
July 30, 1999
Rural Past Helps Fast Growing West Tisbury Envision Management of Island’s Future
West Tisbury, the youngest town on the Island, was created on April 28, 1892. But it was almost 300 years earlier, when Takemmy, the Algonquian word meaning “where one goes to grind corn,” was founded. Here along the up-Island streams the early settlers built mills to harness water power.
July 4, 1997
Barnard’s Inn Farm Is Preserved
Prominent conservationists announced yesterday that they have acquired Barnard’s Inn Farm, a 60-acre parcel of land in West Tisbury that is highlighted by the arboretum created by Mary Louisa (Polly) Hill.
The property is important for several reasons. The farm is considered a key element in the rural stretch in the north part of town. It links several important pieces of conservation land.
May 3, 1968
West Tisbury’s Library Begins a New Chapter
The public library of West Tisbury, privately owned until the February town meeting voted unanimously to take it over, was conceived in 1890 by Prof. Nathaniel Southgate Shaler, who founded Seven Gates Farms, also. With Rev. Caleb Rotch, pastor of the Congregational church, who canvassed up-Island, he collected $175 for the first step.
May 6, 1955
Court House Road a Historic Way Worthy of the Name
Gifford’s Store, as most persons of mature age would call it, still stands on the West Tisbury-Edgartown road, which highway developed from the ancient Mill Path, whereby Edgartown settlers walked or rode to the mill on the Mill River, to have their corn ground.
