CHILMARK
Chilmark contains not only the quaint, authentic fishing village of Menemsha, but is also a town of rolling hills overlooking the ocean, tree-lined country roads dotted with small farm stands and host to a film festival so fabulous you’ll wonder how you could be anywhere else in March. |
Chilmark has a small, charming town center that includes gems such as the Chilmark Store , The Yard (which offers magnificent modern and classical dance, classes and performances) and The Chilmark Community Center. The Center is always hopping, particularly during March, when it plays host to The Martha’s Vineyard Film Festival.
Moving on, follow the signs to Menemsha and be transported back in time while visiting this small, quaint and authentic fishing village. Linger awhile for some of the freshest seafood you'll ever enjoy, at Menemsha's right-on-the-harbor fish markets. Then head to the beach and wait for the spectacular sunset that often ends with applause.
Chilmark is the birthplace of MVSL (Martha's Vineyard Sign Language) During the 19th century, one in every 155 people on Martha’s Vineyard was born deaf. Elsewhere in the United States, it was close to 1 in 6,000. In the town of Chilmark, deaf Vineyarders comprised one out of 25 people. If you wanted to live in Chilmark, you pretty much had to learn Martha’s Vineyard Sign Language.
Researchers from Clemson’s American Sign Language program and the partner from MV Signs Then and Now have created the Martha's Vineyard Sign Language Project, designed to conduct research and development on the signed language community outreach project that aims to serve various constituents ranging from residents to business owners on Martha’s Vineyard. Find out more about the project here.
Insider Tip: On Saturday and Wednesday summer mornings drive North Road to the Chilmark Flea, an eclectic hodge-podge of stands that include handcrafts, jewelry design, antiques, photography, baked goods and more.