Polly Hill started growing trees and plants from seed on the family farm more than 40 years ago, and they all grew to become the island's premier natural showcase. Hill has developed numerous plants now grown around the world; including the famous North Tilsbury Azalea. At the same time she expanded the range of plants on Martha's Vineyard. The requested donation for adults is quite a reasonable amount and children 12 and under may enter for free. Lectures are held throughout the season and tour arrangements may be made in advance.
Josiah Dennish House was built in 1736 for Rev. Josiah Dennis who was a minister of the East Yarmouth Parish for 38 years. Here in this 2 and half storey building shaped in a saltbox style, with wooden frames and construction, showcases artifacts of Josiah. There is a children's room, an exhibit room showcasing spinning and weaving, lush gardens and a maritime wing. There is also a school on the grounds as education was considered pivotal by the residents of Dennis. And with this objective, 12 small schoolhouses were constructed, with specific academic months set for junior and senior school students.
Vineyard Arts Project in Edgartown is a lovely studio facility dedicated to promoting the performing arts on the island. The facility boasts rehearsal studios, workshops, classes and performances during the summer months. There are also living quarters for visiting performers and artists on-site.
Located within a Georgian house that was built in 1775, Cahoon Museum of American Art was established in 1984, primarily showcasing the works of Ralph and Martha Cahoon who were two of the most accomplished artists to hail from Massachusetts during the 19th-century. They regularly host exhibitions, boasting their collections that include creations made by artists such as William Mathew Prior, Alvan Fisher, James Buttersworth, and Levi Wells Prentice to name a few.
United States Customshouse, also known as the Donald G. Trayser Memorial Museum and the Coast Guard Museum is a heritage museum housed within a historic building that was built in 1855 by renowned 19th-century architect Ammi Burnham Young. The structure functioned as a customs duty house and a post office till 1958, by which it had been converted into a museum. Guided tours of the entire building are permitted.