The Old Mill Today
Some More Old Mill History...The Martha’s Vineyard Garden Club is the oldest conservation organization on Martha’s Vineyard, founded in 1924 and is a 501(c)3 organization dedicated to education and preservation of the island’s resources. We are committed to encouraging future generations to preserve our island and make the world more environmentally aware. The Club annually awards a scholarship to Martha's Vineyard high school seniors bound for college with a major in an environmental field. Since 2008, the Club has awarded over $21,000 in scholarships to Island graduates.
In 1942, the Garden Club purchased the Old Mill to rescue it from demolition. It is now on the National Register of Historic Places and the Club’s treasured home. This historic gem was built in 1845 to produce satinet, a dense woolen fabric used by seamen because of its water- shedding properties. The Old Mill prospered, then declined along with the whaling industry until closing in 1874. It was then used as a tearoom, art gallery, and auction house then fell into disrepair.
In 1937 the dilapidated Old Mill was to be torn down, but the first Garden Club president objected to demolition of this historically significant building. She and two other Club members rented it until the Garden Club was able to buy the property. Some equipment that was operated in the Mill still resides in the building and the Club would love to see it be part of an educational exhibit for students and guests one day.
Today, the Old Mill hosts the Garden Club’s summer meetings and events, including our major and signature Blooming Art event, which exhibits island artists’ work and interpretive floral arrangements created by Club members.
In 1942, the Garden Club purchased the Old Mill to rescue it from demolition. It is now on the National Register of Historic Places and the Club’s treasured home. This historic gem was built in 1845 to produce satinet, a dense woolen fabric used by seamen because of its water- shedding properties. The Old Mill prospered, then declined along with the whaling industry until closing in 1874. It was then used as a tearoom, art gallery, and auction house then fell into disrepair.
In 1937 the dilapidated Old Mill was to be torn down, but the first Garden Club president objected to demolition of this historically significant building. She and two other Club members rented it until the Garden Club was able to buy the property. Some equipment that was operated in the Mill still resides in the building and the Club would love to see it be part of an educational exhibit for students and guests one day.
Today, the Old Mill hosts the Garden Club’s summer meetings and events, including our major and signature Blooming Art event, which exhibits island artists’ work and interpretive floral arrangements created by Club members.