History
In 2021, Stillpoint Martha’s Vineyard, Inc., founded by Thomas Bena, became a nonprofit organization, dedicated to educational offerings.
In 2022, Ms. Claudia Miller, who had transformed her 52-acre, 13-lot West Tisbury subdivision into a magical place to walk, be quiet, and enjoy nature, offered to sell 40 acres of it to Stillpoint and the Martha's Vineyard Land Bank at a greatly discounted price.
Working with a team of generous donors, Stillpoint secured a $3.5-million donation and a $2.3-million mortgage to purchase 14 acres and a state-of-the-art barn. Stillpoint offered walking and parking easements to the Martha’s Vineyard Land Bank, making it possible for it to acquire 26 acres. The parcels are situated in between the Polly Hill Arboretum, the Francis Newhall Woods Nature Preserve, and Seven Gates Farm.
In 2022 and 2023, Stillpoint successfully completed the 16-month permitting process with the Martha's Vineyard Commission and the West Tisbury Zoning Board of Appeals. On October 2, when the appeal period ended, Stillpoint began to fundraise for the capital improvements required to bring the barn up to the standards of the commercial building code.
In 2023 and 2024, Stillpoint received a $1-million grant, to pay off part of the mortgage, and raised $500,000 for capital improvements and another $168,000 for basic operational expenses.
In 2024, Stillpoint widened the entrance off State Road and installed a new denitrifying septic system, new well, emergency exits, two egress walkways, a parking loop, and two new restrooms. It also hired Allison Simon to work as the organization’s assistant director. On December 12, 2024, Stillpoint received its certificate of occupancy and opened to the public.
In 2025, Stillpoint installed an audiovisual system and began its soft launch, testing various educational programs and learning how the barn’s spaces, parking, etc., can be improved. We widened our walking trails, making it less likely for ticks to join you on your walk.
More than 7,000 people attended programs in the barn, and we collaborated with leaders of more than 50 nonprofit organizations. Of the 60 different types of programs we offered, ideas for 50 of those came from Island residents, supporting our vision of Stillpoint being an affordable community center, programmed by the community.
In 2026, we continue to work with new organizations and program instructors, including ACE MV, the Aquinnah Cultural Center, the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, Second Bloom MV, the Martha’s Vineyard Chamber Music Society, and others. Join us!
