About
The Vineyard Preservation Trust owns and manages twenty historic sites on Martha’s Vineyard. Located in four Island towns, these include a heritage center, a farm, two churches, one green space, two formal gardens, and fifteen exhibition and event spaces. Our properties represent four centuries of American functional architecture and maritime and tourism economies contributing to the Island’s rich cultural heritage. Two are National Historic Landmarks, and nine are part of National Historic Landmarks via local historic district designation.
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.
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 badly 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 20 key properties in four towns, all of which 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 x116
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 x 111
steve@mvpreservation.org
Sissy Biggers
The Carnegie: Community Engagement and Program Director
774-549-9107
sissy@mvpreservation.org
Molly Pogue
Marketing Manager
774-563-5833
molly@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
Sarah B. Rorer, ex officio, emerita (In Memoriam)
CLERK
Alvin R. Johnson
TREASURER
Elizabeth D. MacKenty
TRUSTEES
Lynn Allegaert
Deborah Barnes
Kelsey Biggers
Brooke Brown
Gerret Conover
Drew Conway
Tana Gibson
Melissa M. Hedley
Sheila A. Hoerle
Alice B. Indelicato
Gail Kittenplan
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
Pamela Zilly
EMERITI
Patrick J. Ahearn
Carole M. Berger
Alison M. Convery
Robert G. Cox
Robert C. Graham, Jr.
Michele M. Hedley
John E. Klein
Sarah B. Rorer (In Memoriam)
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.