Edgartown, Oak Bluffs, Tisbury, West Tisbury, Chilmark, Aquinnah, and Menemsha make up the collection of towns on the island:

Edgartown is the oldest on MV, founded in 1642 by Thomas Mayhew. The Old Whaling Church opened for services in 1843. In the summer, various musical and dramatic productions are offered here, and in the off season this church serves as the town meeting place. Edgartown has the highest population of the towns on MV. It is the most fashionable town on the island. A stroll along the narrow streets provides glimpses of the old sea captains’ houses surrounded by white picket fences and pretty rosebushes.

West Tisbury split from Tisbury in 1892. Tisbury was sea-oriented while West Tisbury was agricultural. West Tisbury is the home of the annual county fair. Chilmark became a town in 1694. The Town of Oak Bluffs is a resort town on the northeast shore of Martha's Vineyard.

The Town of Chilmark is a small rural community located toward the western end of the island of Martha's Vineyard. Most of its 10,639 acres are devoted to residential and agricultural use.

For over three centuries, Vineyard Haven was among New England’s busiest seaports. Located on key sailing routes, whaling vessels and trading ships frequented this port to take on supplies, wait for a favoring wind or tide or ride out bad weather. In 1845, close to 14,000 vessels from across the globe passed through this Island port.