Photo: Althea Freeman-Miller
CREATING PLACES & SPACES THAT MATTER
Vineyard Haven Harbor is one of the safest and deepest harbors in New England and amongst the few remaining traditional working waterfronts in America. It is a place rich in seafaring heritage, resilience, and artisan creativity. It is a vital economic force on Martha’s Vineyard and stands at the center of a vibrant, thriving community that is home to Island residents and global visitors alike.
Vineyard Lands for our Community is a nonprofit community redevelopment organization that will build multiuse, community-based projects that embody our “Island Way.” Our first “place” is Vineyard Haven. Our first “space” is Tisbury’s working waterfront. Here we will preserve the rich heritage of the historic harbor and build upon the culture and character of the Island’s year-round port and creative arts communities. Welcome to HarborWorks.
PRESERVE OUR ISLAND WAY
HarborWorks will embrace and reimagine the Vineyard Haven waterfront as the Island’s epicenter for preserving its maritime heritage and cultural creativity. It will evoke the essence of the Vineyard and sustain the major pillars of Island life—its enterprising maritime and artisan culture, rich traditions of creative arts and storytelling, live public performances, gathering of diverse communities, and cherished natural resources.
The world within our Island shores is facing change—from the economic pressures of a seasonal economy to inadequate housing for our island residents, from protecting natural resources to ensuring public access to our shores. We must come together as landowners, proud residents, and dedicated Island champions to build a shared vision, preserve the harbor’s heritage, and create community places accessible to all that will sustain the unique culture and resources of our waterfront.
Photo: Vineyard Colors
Photo: Alison Shaw
Photo: Lauren Miller
Photo: Lauren Miller
REENVISIOn OUR WORKING WATERFRONT
Today, our Town of Tisbury and its residents have developed a Master Plan to embrace the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. In keeping with the new Master Plan, HarborWorks will preserve the character and tradition of our unique places, adapt the Island’s critical infrastructure to be resilient to climate change, improve access to our spectacular beach, and provide programs to convene and educate residents and visitors about the wonders of our Island. HarborWorks will be a center for maritime activities and for creativity and engagement—a destination that features a variety of public convening spaces, diverse cultural and music events, artist studios and teaching workshops, maritime educational programs and facilities, and digital storytelling venues. HarborWorks reimagines the “front door” to the Vineyard, creating spaces and experiences that matter to us all.