Martha's Vineyard Campground

Martha's Vineyard Campground is a compact district of 306 small cottages and six public buildings on 34 shaded acres in the middle of Oak Bluffs. It began in 1835 as a Methodist camp meeting, first held among nine large tents around a preacher's stand. Over time cottages replaced tents, and the layout of circles, parks and radial avenues around Trinity Park stayed in place. The typical cottage is a narrow gable-front structure of tongue and groove boarding, with Gothic mouldings and ornate bargeboard trim. The 1879 iron Tabernacle, Trinity Methodist Church, Grace Methodist Chapel, the 1859 Association Building and two hotels complete the group. The district was listed for its distinctive cottage architecture, its exceptional preservation, and its role as a model nineteenth century Methodist campground. Its growth also led to the founding of the town of Cottage City in 1880. The Camp-Meeting Association still owns the land and oversees both religious and community life.