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Quiz about Obscure Facts On Marthas Vineyard Island

Obscure Facts On Martha's Vineyard Island Quiz

Martha's Vineyard Island is part of Massachusetts, primarily known as a summer colony. Here are some facts about Martha's Vineyard Island, Dukes County, Massachusetts that are not very well known.

A multiple-choice quiz by asm1. Estimated time: 5 mins.

Author
asm1

Time
5 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
339,025

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
538

Last 3 plays: Guest 174 (7/10), Verbonica (9/10), Guest 24 (7/10).

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. From 1683 to 1691, Martha's Vineyard, NoMan's Land, the Elizabeth Islands and Nantucket Island were collectively called what? Hint

The Islands of Massachusetts Bay

Dukes County in the Province of New York

Gosnold's Group of Islands

Mayhew's Islands

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Question 2 of 10

2. The US Board on Geographic Names is the federal and national standard for geographic nomenclature. It allowed Martha's Vineyard to do what? Hint

retain the full name although it was considered a long name

retain "Martha" even though she had never lived there

retain the possessive apostrophe

retain "Vineyard" even though there are no vineyards there

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Question 3 of 10

3. What is the status of the heath hen, a wild bird much prized on Martha's Vineyard? Hint

It is extinct.

It is flourishing in West Tisbury.

It interbred with domestic fowl.

Its name changed to Mountain Chicken.

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Question 4 of 10

4. Why is the Chappaquidick Ferry, which makes a 10 minute run between Edgartown and Chappaquidick, called the 'On Time'? Hint

The captain thought it was a good name.

It is committed to the ferry schedule.

Its construction was on schedule with no delays.

The town required the name.

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Question 5 of 10

5. Martha's Vineyard has its history steeped in nautical terms. What direction is down-Island? Hint

East

North

West

South

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Question 6 of 10

6. What is the slang term for someone who moves from the mainland to Martha's Vineyard? Hint

Wash-ashore

Lost

Mainlander

Newcomer

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Question 7 of 10

7. In Oak Bluffs, there are cottages originating in the 19th century that have ornate molding and bright colors. These famous cottages have what unique, confectionery name? Hint

Gingerbread Cottages

Toffee Cottages

Eclair Cottages

Gumdrop Cottages

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Question 8 of 10

8. What community of people lived on the island beginning in the 1700's and developed their own language? Hint

Quaker farmers

Portuguese sailors

Deaf community

Acadian refugees

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Question 9 of 10

9. The oldest carousel in the United States, The Flying Horses, is located in Oak Bluffs. What do children of all ages look forward to doing at The Flying Horses? Hint

Eating cotton candy

Riding on the horses

Getting the gold ring

Playing the arcade games

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Question 10 of 10

10. Some casual residents of Martha's Vineyard would like to spend more time on the Vineyard. Where was the phrase "At Last! A Year-Round Resident" seen? Hint

On a house sign

On a car bumper

In a store window

On a tombstone

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Nov 16 2024 : Guest 174: 7/10
Oct 19 2024 : Verbonica: 9/10
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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. From 1683 to 1691, Martha's Vineyard, NoMan's Land, the Elizabeth Islands and Nantucket Island were collectively called what?

Answer: Dukes County in the Province of New York

From 1683 to 1691, Martha's Vineyard, Nantucket, and the outlying islands belonged to New York. They were transferred to the Province of Massachusetts Bay in 1691. Martha's Vineyard and the outlying islands remained in Dukes County; Nantucket Island became Nantucket County.

2. The US Board on Geographic Names is the federal and national standard for geographic nomenclature. It allowed Martha's Vineyard to do what?

Answer: retain the possessive apostrophe

The United States Board on Geographic Names was created in 1890. It first required that the apostrophe be dropped, but then reversed its decision in the early 20th century. It has allowed only five places in the United States with a possessive apostrophe in the spelling.

The others are Ike's Point (NJ), John E's Pond (RI) not to be confused with John S Pond (RI), Carlos Elmer's Joshua View (in this case Joshua refers to the trees not an individual) (AZ), and
Clark's Mountain (OR) was approved at the request of the Oregon Board to correspond with the personal references of Lewis and Clark.

3. What is the status of the heath hen, a wild bird much prized on Martha's Vineyard?

Answer: It is extinct.

The heath hen existed in large numbers all along the East Coast in the early 1900's. Its numbers began to drop as people discovered it was good to eat. It survived on Long Island and the Vineyard for awhile, but then died out on Long Island. Efforts were made to save it on the Vineyard, but by 1930, there were only three males left.

They were gone by 1932. It has been said that the heath hen was responsible for the 1620 Pilgrims' survival, more so than the turkey.

4. Why is the Chappaquidick Ferry, which makes a 10 minute run between Edgartown and Chappaquidick, called the 'On Time'?

Answer: Its construction was on schedule with no delays.

There is no schedule for the Ferry as it takes just 10 minutes for the trip between Edgartown and Chappaquidick. It sails when there are passengers and/or vehicles wanting to cross.

5. Martha's Vineyard has its history steeped in nautical terms. What direction is down-Island?

Answer: East

First-time visitors to the island find the terms up-Island and down-Island strange. Its usage is tied to nautical terms which was second-nature to Island residents for hundreds of years. When a ship sailed east, the wind was at their backs, so they were sailing downwind; when the ship returned, it sailed upwind or west.

The term down-East, common in Maine, has its origin in the same nautical terms.

6. What is the slang term for someone who moves from the mainland to Martha's Vineyard?

Answer: Wash-ashore

There are many terms for residents of the Vineyard, depending on the length of the residency. There are summer residents, year-round residents, off-islanders, and Vineyarders. Wash-ashore is a relatively new term, a slang term equivalent to newbie, while Vineyarder is a term used for many years, and is a term demonstrating pride.

It originally applied to someone born on Martha's Vineyard, but has evolved to mean someone who makes their permanent home on the Vineyard.

7. In Oak Bluffs, there are cottages originating in the 19th century that have ornate molding and bright colors. These famous cottages have what unique, confectionery name?

Answer: Gingerbread Cottages

The Gingerbread Cottages were built as replacements for the tents which were pitched each summer by visitors of the Methodist Church in the Campground Meeting Association area.

8. What community of people lived on the island beginning in the 1700's and developed their own language?

Answer: Deaf community

Martha's Vineyard had a high rate of hereditary deafness which was 20 times higher than the national average. This community developed the Martha's Vineyard Sign Language which helped the deaf successfully integrate into society.

9. The oldest carousel in the United States, The Flying Horses, is located in Oak Bluffs. What do children of all ages look forward to doing at The Flying Horses?

Answer: Getting the gold ring

Riders on the merry-go-round can grab rings as the horses go around. Among the brass rings is a gold ring, which entitles the collector to a free ride. The Flying Horses Carousel is the oldest carousel still operating in the United States. It's near the boat dock in Oak Bluffs and attracts tourists as they arrive for a day of Vineyard sights.

The Flying Horses are one of the first places my family goes when we visit Martha's Vineyard.

10. Some casual residents of Martha's Vineyard would like to spend more time on the Vineyard. Where was the phrase "At Last! A Year-Round Resident" seen?

Answer: On a tombstone

I have seen some unusual gravestones when visiting cemeteries in search of ancestors' final resting places, including "though greedy worms devour my skin and gnaw my wasting flesh..." and "prepare for death for die you must, and with your parents sleep in dust". This sentiment, "At Last! A Year-Round Resident" seen in a small, Vineyard cemetery, demonstrates a great sense of humor.

Source: Author asm1

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor Exit10 before going online.
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