Aquinnah Circle

3.3 acres of the culturally significant Gay Head Cliffs and the iconic Aquinnah Restaurant and Shop.

Location

GPS location: (41.34723974153993, -70.83683425767062)

Open to the public during daylight hours. Restrooms are nearby and available seasonally.

Natural & Cultural Significance

This is a stunning piece of property located at 27 Aquinnah Circle in the town of Aquinnah. It is situated overlooking the culturally significant Gay Head Cliffs and includes a restaurant that has been operated exclusively by Aquinnah Wampanoag for more than 60 years, a parking lot, and open space land connecting the property to the Aquinnah Cultural Center. According to the legend of the Aquinnah Wampanoag the place we call Martha’s Vineyard today was created when a giant man called Maushop dragged his big toe in the Cape Cod sand and created the island they called Noepe. Maushop was also responsible for the iconic red cliffs of Aquinnah that were stained with the blood of the whales he caught bare handed and dashed upon the cliffs to kill them. Many generations of tribal members have harvested the clay to make a very distinctive pottery that is a treasured reminder of Maushop’s gifts.

The property shares the Aquinnah Circle the historic Gay Head Lighthouse and seasonal shops leading up to an overlook of the Cliffs which is a very popular tourism destination. The open space land is full of natural vegetation consisting of bayberry, rosa rugosa, sweet pepper bush and other shoreline species. A small portion of the site includes the clay cliffs. The soil is shallow and predominantly clay. Deer, rabbits, skunks, raccoons, and other animals share this space.

In August of 2023, the NLC stepped in to purchase this special place with the intent to be the temporary caretaker until the newly formed Aquinnah Land Initiative is able to fundraise the purchase price.