MARTHA'S VINEYARD GARDEN CLUB
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    • Blooming Art 2025
  • Looking Back on Events of 2024
    • Floral Design Creativity
    • 2024 Edgartown Garden Stroll
    • Centennial Garden Party
    • At the Ag Fair
  • Resources
    • Gardening Resources 1 - Reference, Docs, Books, Websites, Apps and More!
    • Gardening ​Resources 2 - Virtual Presentations, Podcasts, More Websites & Garden Tours
    • Allied Organizations on MV
    • Regional Horticultural Organizations
  • Conservation
    • Conservation Related Resources
The Old Mill - Martha's Vineyard Garden Club 'Summer Home' since 1942

History of the property and the Garden Club's Old Mill:
  • The Garden Club's Old Mill sits on property that held two previous grist mills and an earlier textile mill. The first grist mill on the property dates back to the mid-1600’s. 
  • In 1808, David Look purchased the last grist mill, installed carding machines and looms, and began to produce cloth.
  • In 1845, Thomas Bradley purchased the property, built a new textile mill (the Garden Club's Old Mill) and focused on producing satinet, a dense woolen fabric used by seamen because of its water-shedding properties. The Old Mill prospered along with the whaling industry.
  • In 1859, Thomas Bradley sold the property to Henry Cleveland, who continued to produce satinet.
  • The demise of the whaling industry precipitated the decline of the Old Mill. The last known advertisement for satinet appeared in 1873.
  • In 1874, ownership of our Old Mill passed to Thomas Campbell, Henry Cleveland’s son-in-law.
  • In 1879, Thomas Campbell’s widow sold the English-made machinery for junk and the large mill wheel went to a local blacksmith.
  • Between 1897 and 1937, the Old Mill was used intermittently as a tea room, art gallery, and auction house. It fell into disrepair.
  • In 1937, when the dilapidated Old Mill was about to be torn down, Mrs. T. M. Randolph Meikelham, the first Garden Club president, objected strongly. She and two other Club members rented the Old Mill to save it from destruction
  • In 1942, the Martha’s Vineyard Garden Club purchased the property and for the past seventy years, the Garden Club has worked hard to preserve the Old Mill.
The Old Mill in the early 1900s:
These early 1900s photographs of the Old Mill and Mill Pond were captured by Edward Lee Luce (1897–1950) of West Tisbury. Using glass plate negatives, Mr. Luce documented these iconic scenes, preserving a glimpse into the Island’s past.  The photographs are part of the Basil Welsh Collection at the Martha’s Vineyard Museum. The collection, assembled by Basil Welsh, was generously donated by the Welsh family, ensuring these historic images remain a treasured part of the Island’s heritage.
 The History of the Old Mill as recounted by Mrs. Eleanor Mayhew  
Your browser does not support viewing this document. Click here to download the document.

*** You can see more of Mr. Luce's photographs -- many more  -- online at the Digital Commonwealth Resource Center at  http://www.digitalcommonwealth.org 

*** The Martha's Vineyard Museum is a member of the Digital Commonwealth; hence these photographs (and many others!) can be seen online at  http://www.digitalcommonwealth.org .  



  • WELCOME
  • Members Area
    • 2025 Calendar
    • 2025 Educational Progamming Materials
    • Daffodil Days
    • Walkabouts
    • Our 100th Birthday Party!
  • 2025 Programs & Events
    • Bloomin Bucks
    • Peonies 2025
    • Plant Sale 2025
  • JOIN the Club, RENEW OR DONATE!
  • About Us
    • Club History >
      • 100 Years
      • Historical Archives
      • The OLD MILL Yesterday
      • The OLD MILL Today
      • Garden Club Seale
    • Who we are
    • Leadership
    • Committees
    • Newsletter Archives
    • Directions to the WAKEMAN CENTER
    • Directions to the OLD MILL
    • From OFF ISLAND - Getting to The Old Mill!
    • Bylaws (Aug. 2013)
    • Policies & Procedures (Jan. 2014)
  • Giving Back
    • Club in the Community
    • Rose Styron Garden
    • Harbor Homes
    • Woodside Community Garden
    • Mytoi Gardens on Chappy!
    • Floral Arrangements for Hospice Soiree!
  • 2025 Event Wrap Ups
    • Blooming Art Wrap Up 2025
    • Valentines Workshop 2025
  • Blooming Art
    • Blooming Art 2025
  • Looking Back on Events of 2024
    • Floral Design Creativity
    • 2024 Edgartown Garden Stroll
    • Centennial Garden Party
    • At the Ag Fair
  • Resources
    • Gardening Resources 1 - Reference, Docs, Books, Websites, Apps and More!
    • Gardening ​Resources 2 - Virtual Presentations, Podcasts, More Websites & Garden Tours
    • Allied Organizations on MV
    • Regional Horticultural Organizations
  • Conservation
    • Conservation Related Resources