The African-American Heritage Trail

A group of MVRHS sophomores at a Heritage Trail site in West Tisbury that honors the "Vineyard Five".

After noticing a distinct lack of information on the history of African-Americans of Martha’s Vineyard, Elaine Cawley Weintraub did what a curious mind is wont to do: she dug it up for herself.

As a teacher at the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School, Weintraub has integrated her research of the island’s African-American history into her curriculum and also made the information available and interactive for the community through the African-American Heritage Trail – a physical trail of 20 sites around the island.

Thanks to Elaine Cawley Weintraub and the African-American Heritage Trail, islanders have a great way to get out and celebrate Black History Month with family and friends. Plum has chose a few sites to highlight here below, but be sure to check the Heritage Trail’s site for more information.

Rebecca Amos’ Site
Great grandmother of the only African-American Whaling Captain from Martha’s Vineyard, Rebecca Amos was brought to the island as a slave from Guinea in West Africa. As a slave she was still “allowed” to marry a Wampanoag man named Elisha Amos. When Elisha died, he gave his property and house to Rebecca. This land is now a part of the MV Land Bank’s Great Rock Bight property. This site makes for a beautiful walk, and is sure to spark conversation or personal reflection. (Directions)

Fugitive Slaves Flee Via Menemsha
The fishing village of Menemsha hosts a plaque honoring Randall Burton and Edgar Jones – two fugitive slaves who fled to Canada by way of Menemsha. The site also honors Beulah Salisbury Vanderhoop, a Wampanoag woman who helped Jones reach freedom. Adrianah Ignacio, a tribal member who spoke at the plaque’s unveiling in 2002, summed up the site well saying, “Our story is one of bravery and compassion, of people doing what is right when to do so meant breaking the law.”

Origins of the MV NAACP
In the weeks following John F. Kennedy’s assassination a group of Vineyarders got together and as they mourned also took action, founding the NAACP of Martha's Vineyard. Their first meeting was held at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Edgartown, and recently the trail added the church as its 20th site. Plum was there to cover the event, and so watch footage of the site dedication, and then go check it out for yourself.

For more about the trail, and the complete list of sites visit the official site of the African American Heritage Trail.