Mission

How would the Island be if historic landmarks like Old Whaling Church, The Flying Horses, and the Grange Hall were not there?

Fifty years ago, leaders in our community saved downtown Edgartown from becoming a parking lot. This pivotal moment marked the genesis of an ongoing commitment to safeguard historically significant sites. Today, the Vineyard Preservation Trust is your guardian entrusted with preserving and managing a cherished collection of iconic properties. These properties, integral to the rich culture and narrative of life on Martha’s Vineyard, continue to thrive under our devoted care.

Support VPT

History

For 50 years, the Vineyard Preservation Trust has acquired, restored, and cared for historic landmarks, preserving Martha’s Vineyard’s unique character and keeping its heritage as an integral part of the community’s daily life and the visitors’ experience.  

Martha’s Vineyard is a small island with a long, rich history dating back to the first Native Americans, followed by Colonial settlements in the 1600s. As a popular summer and vacation destination for people from across the United States and the world, the pressures of development and progress have, over time, threatened the central features of this vibrant island community. The iconic, irreplaceable landmarks now in the Trust’s care were severely deteriorated and, in many cases, threatened by demolition when the Trust assumed ownership and undertook their restoration and permanent care. Now saved, each of these landmarks continues to play a central role in contemporary life while preserving the authenticity and historical character of the island.

Over more than four decades, Vineyard Preservation Trust has grown from a small non-profit with one property in Edgartown to an organization responsible for the stewardship of 17 iconic landmarks in four towns. All of these properties are enjoyed by island residents and visitors alike. The organization’s membership now consists of more than 5,000 individuals, and it is estimated that members of the public visit our properties more than one million times each year.

Staff

Vineyard Preservation Trust offices are located upstairs in the Dr. Daniel Fisher House at 99 Main Street in Edgartown, MA, and are open year-round.

Tours, exhibit galleries, and heritage center are located in The Carnegie Heritage Center at 58 North Water Street in Edgartown, MA. Call 774-549-9107 to reach The Carnegie directly.

Nevette Previd
Executive Director

508-627-4440 x 115
nevette@mvpreservation.org

Sandy Burt
Venue & Event Director

508-627-4440 x111
sandy@mvpreservation.org

Julie Hatt
Events & Cultivation Director

508-627-4440 x 120
julie@mvpreservation.org

Tammy DeGregorio
Finance Director & HR Coordinator

508-627-4440 x 110
tammy@mvpreservation.org

Steve Kelly
Facilities Director

508-627-4440
steve@mvpreservation.org

Sissy Biggers
The Carnegie: Community Engagement and Program Director

774-549-9107
sissy@mvpreservation.org

Molly Pogue
Marketing Manager

508-627-4440 x 116
molly@mvpreservation.org

Insley Julier
Office Manager

508-627-4440 x 114
Insley@mvpreservation.org

Jaime Hiltz
Flying Horses Carousel Manager

508-693-9481 (in-season phone)
jaime@mvpreservation.org

Board of Trustees

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

CHAIR

J.B. McCall IV

 

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

J.B. McCall, IV, Chair

Elizabeth D. MacKenty, Vice-chair, Finance

Vaughn R. Butler, Vice-chair, Properties

Deborah Crews, Vice-chair, Trustees & Governance

William H. Weeks, Vice-chair, Development

Victor A. Zollo, Vice-chair, Endowment

John E. Klein, ex officio, emeritus

 

CLERK

Alvin R. Johnson

 

TREASURER

Elizabeth D. MacKenty

 

TRUSTEES 

Lynn Allegaert 

Deborah Barnes

Kelsey Biggers

Brooke Brown

Vaughn R. Butler

Gerret Conover

Drew Conway

Deborah Crews

Tana Gibson 

Melissa M. Hedley 

Sheila A. Hoerle 

Alice B. Indelicato 

Gail Kittenplan

Elizabeth D. MacKenty

John P. Murphy 

Ian Murray 

Shep Murray 

Kevin A. Myatt

Deborah A. Nugent 

Amanda T. Phillips 

Richard N. Purington 

Rosalie Ripaldi Shane 

Mary B. Stanton 

Margaret C. Tattersall

Twanette Tharp

William H. Weeks

Pamela Zilly

Victor A. Zollo

 

EMERITI

Patrick J. Ahearn 

Carole M. Berger 

Nancy T. Caraboolad

Alison M. Convery 

Robert G. Cox 

Robert C. Graham, Jr. 

Michele M. Hedley

John E. Klein

Joseph Sollitto, Jr.

 

Honorary Trustees 

Dorothy Chaffee

Scott Earl

Theodora Ellis

Sheila Hoerle

Patricia Morgan

Nancy Morris

Joyce Wright

 

Reserve a property

Several of the landmarks in Vineyard Preservation Trust’s care are available to rent for weddings or performance venues. Please visit our Reserve a Property page for more information.

Donation Request Form

Please submit this Donation Request Form to inquire a donation of items or services.