The African American Experience in Oak Bluffs
Polar Bears of Martha's Vineyard: gathering for morning swims since the 1940s.
Polar Bears of Martha's Vineyard: gathering for morning swims since the 1940s.
In the beginning Polar Bears swam in waters between Island Queen dock and Steamship Authority; now at the beach known as Inkwell.
In the beginning Polar Bears swam in waters between Island Queen dock and Steamship Authority; now at the beach known as Inkwell.
Swim is part of 7:30 a.m. ritual.
Swim is part of 7:30 a.m. ritual.
Benches fronting Inkwell Beach in Oak Bluffs welcome all.
Benches fronting Inkwell Beach in Oak Bluffs welcome all.
Shearer Players, an all-black repertory group that performed on Island from the 1940s to 1960s, rehearses an upcoming performance on Oak Bluffs beach.
Shearer Players, an all-black repertory group that performed on Island from the 1940s to 1960s, rehearses an upcoming performance on Oak Bluffs beach.
In 1931 photo, guests gather outside Shearer Cottage, the Island's first African American owned inn.
In 1931 photo, guests gather outside Shearer Cottage, the Island's first African American owned inn.
Shearer Cottage guests in 1931 photo included Rep. Adam Clayton Powell.
Shearer Cottage guests in 1931 photo included Rep. Adam Clayton Powell.
Shearer Cottage faces Baptist Temple Park in Oak Bluffs Highlands.
Shearer Cottage faces Baptist Temple Park in Oak Bluffs Highlands.
Shearer Cottage sign is reproduced in Smithsonian museum.
Shearer Cottage sign is reproduced in Smithsonian museum.
Writer Dorothy West often greeted walkers from her Oak Bluffs porch.
Writer Dorothy West often greeted walkers from her Oak Bluffs porch.
The Oval, in Ms. West's novel, The Wedding, was based on her neighborhood.
The Oval, in Ms. West's novel, The Wedding, was based on her neighborhood.
Clippings and memorabilia on Dorothy West's porch.
Clippings and memorabilia on Dorothy West's porch.
African American Heritage Trail honored Ms. West in 2008.
African American Heritage Trail honored Ms. West in 2008.
Emma Maitland was once known as female lightweight boxing champion of the world.
Emma Maitland was once known as female lightweight boxing champion of the world.
Ms. Maitland's home is 26th stop on African American Heritage Trail.
Ms. Maitland's home is 26th stop on African American Heritage Trail.
Councilman Herbert Loring Jackson and his friend and neighbor, Adam Clayton Powell.
Councilman Herbert Loring Jackson and his friend and neighbor, Adam Clayton Powell.
Isabel Washington Powell summered at Bunny Cottage until her death in 2007.
Isabel Washington Powell summered at Bunny Cottage until her death in 2007.
Mr. Powell wrote many sermons in the quiet parlor of the Bunny Cottage.
Mr. Powell wrote many sermons in the quiet parlor of the Bunny Cottage.
Bunny Cottage was added to African American Heritage Trail in 2003.
Bunny Cottage was added to African American Heritage Trail in 2003.
Cottagers Inc. was founded in 1956 as a society for African American women who owned homes on the Vineyard.
Cottagers Inc. was founded in 1956 as a society for African American women who owned homes on the Vineyard.
Cottagers celebrated their 60th anniversary in 2016.
Cottagers celebrated their 60th anniversary in 2016.
Philanthropic group gives to community and empowers others to serve.
Philanthropic group gives to community and empowers others to serve.
Rev. Oscar Denniston and his family; their home doubled as a church.
Rev. Oscar Denniston and his family; their home doubled as a church.
First built in 1895, Bradley Church was called the Oakland Mission Hall.
First built in 1895, Bradley Church was called the Oakland Mission Hall.
Archivists had much to research at long-neglected Bradley Church.
Archivists had much to research at long-neglected Bradley Church.
Artifacts have gone to Martha's Vineyard Museum.
Artifacts have gone to Martha's Vineyard Museum.
The story of African Americans in Oak Bluffs is far-reaching, important, and ongoing; the simplicity of summer life on Martha’s Vineyard, memories on front porches and morning swims. With the opening of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History, here are some photographs of the way Oak Bluffs was and still is.