Vineyard Preservation Trust Annual Appeal 2025

HOW DO YOU TELL A STORY OF

Fifty Years?

We tell the story through every window restored, every shingle nailed, every concert, wedding, and Taste of the Vineyard celebration that fills these historic landmarks with life and stewardship.

Our 50 Events for 50 Years series invited Islanders and visitors alike to rediscover these treasured places—from new exhibits at The Carnegie to a free local music series and collaborations that lifted local artists, filmmakers, and nonprofits.

These landmarks have endured for 150+ years—with your help, they’ll stand another 150.

Thank you for all that you do.

SECURING THE FUTURE OF OUR HISTORIC

Your Gifts at Work

This year, we invested over $1.3 million to protect the Island’s most treasured places.

Grange Hall - READY FOR THE NEXT 50 YEARS

Because of your generosity—and the partnership of our Island towns—the Grange Hall now stands renewed with a cedar roof, restored trim, and fresh paint. By March 2026, structural reinforcement will be complete, paving the way for the next phase: restoring 44 historic windows, upgrading the kitchen to serve Island food purveyors better, and reimagining the rear accessibility ramp. Every improvement you make possible keeps this beloved gathering place strong, welcoming, and alive for generations to come

Union Chapel - WINDOW RESTORATION

After years of deferred maintenance, your support restored the two soaring windows’—their functionality and historic glass, bringing both beauty and natural ventilation to this beloved space. Landscape and accessibility upgrades begin this fall and will be ready for the first Sunday sermon in May 2026.

Flying Horses - SALES UP, EXPERIENCE ELEVATED

A refreshed shop and game area boosted sales by 15% and enhanced the overall visit experience. Each purchase supports the care and preservation of America’s oldest platform carousel.

You Power the Places That Bring Us Together

With an annual operating budget of $3.4 million—and an additional $1 million invested in capital projects in 2025—the Trust continues to preserve 20 historic landmarks through four essential sources: Fundraising, Events, Venue Rentals, and Tenants.

Behind every open door is a dedicated team—10 full-time staff, 40 seasonal employees, and five educators at The Carnegie—who together powered more than 420 events this year (50 of our own!). From community concerts and markets to nonprofit gatherings, special programs, weddings, and tours, their work keeps these landmarks vibrant and self-sustaining.

Even as we celebrate milestones, we face mounting costs to protect these aging buildings from salt air, rising insurance premiums, and the constant demands of time and weather. Yet every restoration, exhibit, and event also fuels the Island economy—supporting local builders, artisans, tradespeople, musicians, and small businesses. By preserving the places that define Martha’s Vineyard, we’re sustaining both its character and the creative spirit that make our community thrive.

The Gateway to the Island’s Living History

“I had no idea this level of artistry was behind the places I’ve known for years. Seeing the before-andafter of the Whaling Church and Flying Horses Carousel murals gave me chills, and made me smile. This exhibit made me fall in love with the Island and these treasured places all over again.

— Guest of the Margot Datz exhibit

What began as an ambitious idea— to create The Carnegie Heritage Center as a portal to Island history through our landmarks—has become a true destination for learning and connection. Thanks to the new Sarah B. Rorer Visitors Gateway, guests can now journey through Martha’s Vineyard’s story—from its Wampanoag roots to the whaling era, and the rise of tourism that shaped the Island we know today.

This year, it’s “shovels in the ground” for both the Grange Hall and Union Chapel Park projects, which have started and will finish in the spring of next year. Over the next 12 months, we’ll determine how far our resources can stretch to make the Old Whaling Church fully accessible—a longawaited goal tied to the installation of its new three-story elevator. Each improvement brings us closer to ensuring that every visitor can experience the beauty of this landmark—without barriers.

By 2027, we will complete our 20-year Master Preservation Plan—securing the future of every landmark we steward. This milestone ensures the financial strength and brick-andmortar resilience needed to keep these iconic places thriving. Our promise remains steadfast: to keep the Island’s landmarks alive, active, and welcoming—today, tomorrow, and for generations to come.

“