Page Contents for Aquinnah, Massachusetts

Statistics & Facts

Location

History & History-related items

City Attractions

Government

Chamber of Commerce.

Libraries.

Schools.

Miscellany

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Statistics & Facts

The Massachusetts state capital is Boston.
The population of Aquinnah is approximately 344 (2000).
The approximate number of families is 141 (2000).
The amount of land area in Aquinnah is 13.9 sq. kilometers.
The amount of land area in Aquinnah is 5.4 sq. miles.
The amount of surface water is 91.7 sq kilometers.
The distance from Aquinnah to Washington DC is 373 miles.
The distance to the Massachusetts state capital is 84 miles. (as the crow flies)
Aquinnah is positioned 41.39 degrees north of the equator and 70.51 degrees west of the prime meridian.
Aquinnah elevation is 17 feet above sea level.
Aquinnah per capita income is $ 21,420 (2000).
Aquinnah median income is $ 45,208 (2000).
The Aquinnah median home price is $ 767,900 (2000).
Aquinnah average annual precipitation is 45.3 inches peryear.
The average winter temperature is 29.3 degrees F.
The average summer temperature is 69.8 degrees F.

Location

south of Cape Cod on Martha's Vineyard on the southwest end of the island. Aquinnah is often referred to as an up island town, along with Chilmark, and West Tisbury. As opposed to Vineyard Haven (Tisbury), Oak Bluffs and Edgartown that are known as down island towns. These nautical terms have to do with the longitude. To get to the island, you can come by sea or by air. There are no land routes, bridges or tunnels connecting the island to the mainland.
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History & History Related Items

Aquinnah was formerly known as Gay Head.

The local Wampanoag Tribe were skilled people who taught early settlers how to live here by planting corn, finding clay and particularly how to kill the whales. They often rescued shipwreck survivors from raging waters near the cliffs.
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The incorporation of Aquinnah

1671, as a town in 1870.

Attractions

The Aquinnah Cliffs
These beautiful colors have left travelers amazed for centuries. Erosion has uncovered layers of sand, gravel and clay in waving bands of color. Due to the deteriorating condition of the cliffs, climbing is not allowed. The seas around the cliffs are also treacherous. A revolving lighthouse was built here in 1799. It was later replaced by the red-brick electric Gay Head Light used today. The light is owned by the Martha's Vineyard Historical Society that operates tours during summer months. Please call ahead for hours of operation.
Phone: 508-627-4441

Learn much more about Martha's Vineyard at this informative site.

Martha's Vineyard Airport
A Commercial airport with scheduled passenger service. It has a 3,297'x 150' asphalt runway and a 5,499'x 150' asphalt runway. Instrument approaches are available
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Aquinnah City Government

Aquinnah has a Selectmen-Open Town Meeting form of government.
Board of Selectmen phone: 508-645-2300

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Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah)
20 Black Brook Road
Aquinnah, MA 02535-1546
Phone: (508) 645-9265
Fax: (508) 645-3790
Office hours: 9 am - 5 pm, M-F

Aquinnah Chamber

Martha's Vineyard Chamber of Commerce

Aquinnah Organizations

Martha's Vineyard Chamber of Commerce

Aquinnah Libraries

Aquinnah Public LIbrary
1 Church Street
Aquinnah, MA 02535
Phone: 508-645-2314

Aquinnah Schools

Martha's Vineyard Public Schools
RR 2, Box 261
Vineyard Haven, MA 02568
Phone: 508-693-2007 Aquinnah

Miscellany

Aquinnah is located in the Eastern Time Zone.