THE AQUINNAH CULTURAL CENTER

The Aquinnah Cultural Center aims to preserve, educate, and document the Aquinnah Wampanoag self-defined history, culture and contributions past, present and future.  

By facilitating daily experiences and activities that reinforce and enhance cultural awareness, we provide the tribal community and the general public with an opportunity to witness and learn about the Aquinnah Wampanoag history through exhibits and educational programs. We also provide an archival facility to preserve and share with the public at large the Wampanoag history of Gay Head/ Aquinnah and to Serve the cultural needs of Aquinnah Wampanoag tribal members. 

The Aquinnah Cultural Center started as an idea; the preservation and passing of cultural and traditional knowledge. We found our home at the Edwin D. Vanderhoop Homestead in 2005, after a couple years of working out a cooperative deal between the Town of Aquinnah and The Martha's Vineyard Land Bank, which saved the historic property after being listed on the retail market in 2003.

After the agreement to home the Cultural Center in the Homestead, there was plenty of intense restoration to do on the home prior to opening the museum to the public in 2006. In the years since, the ACC has grown in its services and partnerships, creating multiple annual markets, events, and workshops to uphold our mission.