Photo credit: Leslie Look, courtesy of MV Chamber of Commerce RELATED LINKS Return to City Guide: Martha's Vineyard

This historic village dates all the way back to 1642 when English colonists began to put down roots on Martha's Vineyard, and by the early 1800s, Edgartown Harbor had grown into a prosperous base for New England whaling ships. Today the picture-perfect port district is home to a remarkable collection of well-preserved historic structures representing a cross-section of early-American architectural styles, along with an appealing selection of shops and restaurants targeting the tourist trade.

The best way to explore Edgartown's narrow streets is on foot, with most of the principal historic attractions located within a few blocks of the waterfront. Stroll along Water Street north and south of Main to see the impressive Greek revival and Federal style mansions built for wealthy whaling captains in the early 1800s. On Main Street, stop by the grand Daniel Fisher House, originally the home of a prominent 19^th-century physician and entrepreneur, and the Vincent House, a pre-Revolutionary home that's open to the public as a museum. The adjacent Old Whaling Church was built in 1843 in grand Greek revival style, with a 92-foot clock tower that sill serves as a landmark for sailors approaching the harbor.

For a deeper exploration of local history, spend some time at the Martha's Vineyard Historical Society's Vineyard Museum (www.marthasvineyardhistory.org). This complex of buildings on School Street includes the Thomas Cook House, an authentic colonial-era home built between 1730 and 1765. The museum features various exhibits and artifacts related to Native American, colonial and early American life on the island, including an outdoor replica of the oil-processing works on a 19^th-century whaling ship, and the original 1854 Fresnel lens from the old Gay Head Lighthouse.