Author talk: “Historic Storms of Martha's Vineyard” with Tom Dresser

The Vineyard Haven Library is pleased to welcome local historian Tom Dresser for a presentation on his latest book, “Historic Storms of Martha's Vineyard,” which chronicles the major storms of the past four centuries on Martha’s Vineyard, including the Great Colonial Hurricane of 1635, Hurricane Bob, and the No Name Storm of 1991, among others. 

This event will be held at 6:00 PM on Tuesday, May 26th at the Katharine Cornell Theatre, located at 51 Spring Street in Vineyard Haven (above Tisbury Town Hall). Free and open to the public. No registration required.

“Historic Storms of Martha’s Vineyard” is a compilation of the fiercest weather challenges of the past four centuries on Martha’s Vineyard, beginning with the Great Colonial Hurricane of 1635, the granddaddy of our major storms. Dresser also takes note of “the year without a summer,” the devastating Portland gale, and Hurricane Edna, concluding  with Hurricane Bob and the No Name Storm of 1991, a pair of obtusely named windstorms that shook us up but were not in the category of the 1635 tempest. 

Tom Dresser came to Martha’s Vineyard in 1995 to visit the woman who would eventually become his wife, Joyce Dresser. Since then he has written dozens of books, booklets, and articles about the history of Martha’s Vineyard. Tom has also worked as a teacher, a school bus driver, a tour bus operator, a walking tour leader, and a speaker on various aspects of island history.

For more information, please contact the library at vhpl_programs@clamsnet.org or (508) 696-4211.

UPDATED: Library Closures, Cancellations, and Storm Information

Updated 2/25:

Vineyard Haven Library will open late at NOON today, Wed Feb 25th. Please note our parking lot may not be accessible.

This week's meeting of the Great Decisions Discussion Group has been postponed due to the ongoing weather event and power outages.

Afternoon Crafts at the EMS Building is CANCELLED today.

Our Virtual event "Burglary at the Louvre" will be held as scheduled at 7pm, register here.

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Updated 2/24:

Vineyard Haven Library will be closed for the day on Tues Feb 24th due to the ongoing weather event.

West Tisbury Emergency Management will operate a warming center at the West Tisbury Library on Tuesday.

Story circle at the MV Family Center is cancelled today, the Family Center will be closed.

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Due to the scheduled downtown Parking Ban and anticipated weather conditions, the library will be closed on Sunday February 22nd and Monday February 23rd.

The Town of Tisbury has issued a parking ban from noon Sunday February 22nd through 11pm Monday February 23rd for the following roads:

Union Street
Spring Street
Center Street
Church Street
William Street
Clough Lane 
Frankline Street
Main Street
Skiff Avenue
Renear Street
All Town Parking Lots

IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Blizzard Conditions Expected – MV Closures & Shelter Info

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Dukes County Emergency Management Association (DCEMA)

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34 minutes agoDetails

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Sunday, February 22, 2026

Media Contact:

Jennelle Gadowski

Public Information Officer

Dukes County Emergency Management Association

774-563-6110

emd@westtisbury-ma.gov

@DukesCountyEM | @WestTisburyEMD

Winter Storm Hernando Expected to Bring Blizzard Conditions, Heavy Wet Snow & Strong Winds

Dukes County Emergency Management Association (DCEMA), in coordination with the National Weather Service Boston/Norton, is advising all Dukes County residents and visitors to prepare for Winter Storm Hernando, a high-impact Nor’easter is expected to bring heavy snowfall and blizzard conditions to Martha’s Vineyard Sunday evening through Monday evening. Total accumulations of 12-24 inches are possible. Residents are urged to monitor official forecasts at weather.gov/boston and follow @NWSBoston for updates.

 

Expected Impacts

Dangerous travel conditions dangerous and near-zero visibility

Heavy wet snow combined with strong winds

Downed trees and widespread power outages possible

Coastal flooding and beach erosion during early Monday high tide

Hazardous marine conditions with storm-force winds and 15-25 ft seas

 

Shelter Guidance

Residents and visitors are strongly advised to shelter in place at home during the storm and avoid unnecessary travel. Staying off the roads allows Highway Departments, first responders, and utility crews to safely conduct snow removal and emergency operations. For those experiencing power outages or unsafe heating conditions, the following shelters will be available:

 

Daytime Warming Center – West Tisbury              

West Tisbury Free Public Library                                              

1042 State Road, West Tisbury                                       

Monday, February 23 8AM-6PM                                          

Wi-Fi and device charging available                           

 

Overnight Shelter – Harbor Homes of MV

111 New York Avenue, Oak Bluffs

Opens 6PM Sunday through 8AM Tuesday

For entry after 7PM, call 774-563-3687

Meals provided. Regular shelter rules in effect

Emergency Animal & Livestock Shelter – West Tisbury                 

Martha’s Vineyard Agricultural Society

35 Panhandle Road, West Tisbury                              

Contact: Christopher Lyons at 508-889-7891 or facilities@mvagsoc.org

Rules and Regulations: marthasvineyardagriculturalsociety.org/emergency-shelter