The Captain Morse House is located on the iconic North Water Street in Edgartown on Martha's Vineyard. It was built by the island's most successful whaling Captain in 1840. The Captain Morse House has a superb location on the waterfront and two blocks from Edgartown's shopping and beaches. At the foot of Morse Street lies the North Wharf, where Captain Morse used to keep his whaling ships. This is a public wharf that you are free to use.
The home features 26 rooms with 12 bedrooms, seven baths, two full kitchens, two dining rooms, and two living rooms.
Outside the house
Two spacious porches overlook North Water Street with views of Edgartown Harbor. The large backyard and garden offer a private oasis from the bustle of a Vineyard summer. The yard is graced by three towering Linden trees. Edgartown's North Wharf lies below the house at the end of Morse Street. It is a great place to go and enjoy the waterfront or perhaps some fishing. Our backyard is one of the most spacious and safe in town and features a bricked patio with seating for 20 with two excellent barbecue stations. The tool shed holds complimentary bicycles, beach chairs, and lawn games.
About the Interior
The home is spread over three floors and offers a variety of public rooms and private bedrooms. The front of the first floor has a large formal living room with an elevator and dual access to the front porch. Next to it is the front entranceway that features a lovely spiral staircase built by local shipwrights. Next comes the media room that doubles as a spare bedroom and then a formal dining room and gourmet kitchen. The formal dining room offers seating for up to 14.
As you walk by the front kitchen, you enter the back of the house with a large living and dining area, a private ensuite bedroom, and a full modern kitchen with an island. There is dining seating for fourteen. This is a great informal space for more casual gatherings.
The second floor again starts with a magnificent front porch that can be accessed from either the master bedroom or the second large bedroom. From here to the back of the house are another five bedrooms and four bathrooms.
On the third floor, there are an additional four bedrooms. This is the most straightforward part of the house and was where the servants used to live. Back in the 1800s, it took a small army to run the house. Not all of them could actually live at the house. Some lived on Chappaquiddick Island and took the ferry operated by Captain Morse's father Uriah. Here there are 4 bedrooms and a bathroom.
We specialize in large families, family reunions, weddings, anniversaries, and any event where people want to enjoy each other's company without the distraction of others. Large groups regularly book our home for its charm, comfort, and unique character and grace. With that said our repeat tenants tend to be smaller families of 6 or so. They then invite friends to come and visit. In my youth, I lived in the house with my family. It seems unusual now but back then we just took it for granted and helped our father with the maintenance and lawn work.
Events:
Events are allowed only with the express written consent of the Host. Please request more information.
The Surrounding Area:
The Captain Morse House is located at the corner of Morse and North Water Streets. The town of Edgartown is defined principally by its Main Street. To the south is South Water Street which winds by the giant pagoda tree and towards the road to Katama and South Beach. North Water Street runs the opposite way and the Captain Morse House is located about halfway between Main Street and the Harbor View Hotel which looks over the Edgartown Lighthouse and the entrance to the harbor.
Summary
We are committed to doing whatever we can to make your stay in our family home on Martha's Vineyard a special one. We think that our house is the best in town and offers our guests a truly unique experience.
You can see more detailed information on The Captain Morse House on our website. Just search for captainmorsehouse.
EXPECTATIONS
This is where, in the interest of transparency, we divulge all of the things that you ought to know about the house
PARKING
The fewer cars you bring to the island the better. That said....
We have space for up to 4 cars in our single-lane driveway.
We also have rented guaranteed available additional parking one block away for another two cars and possibly more.
When the Wings are both rented the East Wing gets the driveway and the West Wing gets the two spots down the street. This way no one gets blocked in.
There is free parking on the street during the day for up to two hours in the season and all day off-season.
There is no parking overnight from 2:00 am to 7:00 am.
There are two town parking lots with overnight parking at the foot of Main Street and at nearby Mayhew Lane.
There is another lot up at the Triangle called the Dark Woods Lot.
WATER
You are 200 feet from Edgartown Harbor. Walk out of the house and down Morse Street to Edgartown's North Wharf. This is a public wharf and also houses the harbormaster and a marine store. We have a Boston Whaler that is docked here and available as a separate rental. We mention this because some may consider that a hazard.
STAIRS & RAILING
This house was built in 1840 before modern building standards. There are steep stairs from the West Wing of the 1st floor to the 3rd floor and from the East Wing's 2nd floor to the 3rd floor. There are also low railings on the porches and at the West Wing 2nd-floor landing. Small children will need supervision. People with mobility issues should stay on the 1st floor or use the elevator in the East Wing.
CAMERAS
Two exterior cameras and three doorbell cameras cover entrances and patio. The interior camera can be turned towards the wall when you come in.
These are for your protection only.
NOISE
You are three blocks away from Main Street. This is an "in-town" location with all the advantages of walking to pretty much anything you want. The disadvantage is that traffic will be sometimes heard at the corner of Morse Street and North Water Street. The other Wings Guests can sometimes be heard.
TERMS AND RATES:
All pricing, availability, and terms are subject to change without notice. We use dynamic pricing that adjusts to market demand and other factors.
A booking is confirmed only when we receive a payment and a signed lease.
All rentals are subject to our lease, manual, and house rules whether you have expressly signed a lease or not.
Each guest making a booking must sign our lease and provide your personal email, cell phone, legal mailing address (no PO Boxes), picture of a valid government ID, and a selfie showing the ID next to your face.
We reserve the right to cancel any booking where we feel the rates are inaccurate or when the guest fails to adhere to our house rules.
Unauthorized Late Check-Out or Early Check-Ins seriously disrupt our existing guests, cleaners, and caretakers. The fee for these is $100 per quarter hour
REV: 2024-12
Please note that after completing your reservation, the rental property manager will contact you for a $2000 credit card hold. This hold will be held by the property manager and fully released after your stay, provided there is no damage to the property or other issues.
