Tour the Colorful Gingerbread Cottages of Martha’s Vineyard

In this segment, we explore the history and legacy of Martha’s Vineyard’s colorful and famous gingerbread cottage community.

Gingerbread cottages on Marthas Vineyard.

Enter your email to watch the full video

This page is available to registered readers. Enter your email to unlock full access.

Already a subscriber? Sign in

It feels like a fairy tale in this season one segment from “Weekends with Yankee” (episode 109), where we explore the iconic gingerbread cottages of Martha’s Vineyard. Dating back to the mid-1880s the colorful tiny homes were built around a Methodist camp meeting ground in Oak Bluffs, where a thriving summer community soon flourished. Today they are part of the interdenominational Martha’s Vineyard Camp Meeting Association, which hosts many religious, cultural, and community events throughout the year, most notably the annual Grand Illumination, when thousands of lanterns light up the night. With their history and charm, it’s hard to look away from this colorful corner of the island.

About Weekends with Yankee

Produced by GBH, Boston’s preeminent public media producer, Weekends with Yankee is a Telly Award–winner in theTourism/Travel category and was recently nominated for Best New Series and Best Travel Program by The Taste Awards. Series funding for Weekends with Yankee is provided by New Hampshire Division of Travel & Tourism DevelopmentMaine Office of TourismMassachusetts Office of Travel & TourismThe Barn YardAmerican Cruise Lines, and Grady-White Boats.

Black and white compass rose icon with four main points inside a circle on a white background.

Enter your email to continue​

This page is available to registered readers. Enter your email to unlock full access.

You’ll also receive our free daily New England newsletter with stories, seasonal tips, and editor picks.

By continuing, you agree to receive our daily newsletter and occasional updates. View our Privacy Policy.

Unlock Your Roots – One Free Account, Endless Discoveries.

Get access to New England templates, research tools, and more.