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Luxurious Captain's Mansion - Waterfront, Town, & Beaches - 5 stars

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The Captain Morse House
The Captain Morse House Front Entrance
Dual front porches on North Water St.
Looking up North Water towards town
View down Morse St. to the Harbor

Reviews

10 out of 10

Exceptional

12 bedrooms7 bathroomsSleeps 26743.2 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Beach view
    Beach view
  • Washer
    Washer
  • Pet-friendly
    Pet-friendly
  • Gym
    Gym
  • Parking available
    Parking available
  • Barbecue grill
    Barbecue grill

Explore the area

Map
Edgartown, MA
  • Edgartown Lighthouse
    8 min walk
  • Lighthouse Beach
    9 min walk
  • Edgartown Beach
    7 min drive
  • Vineyard Haven, MA (MVY-Martha's Vineyard)
    11 min drive

Rooms & beds

12 bedrooms (sleeps 26)

Bedroom #2 The Cat Room

2 Single Beds

Bedroom #3 The dressing room

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom #4 The Middle Room

1 King Bed

Bedroom #5 The Green Room

1 King Bed

Bedroom #6 - The Garden Room

1 Single Bed

Bedroom #7 The Secret Garden Room

1 Double Bed

Bedroom #8 The William Martin Room

1 Single Bed

Bedroom #9 The Sara Brown Room

1 Single Bed

Bedroom #10 The Sail Loft

2 Single Beds and 1 Queen Bed

Bedroom #11 - The Joanna Pease Room

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom #12 ensuite with bathroom #1 - The Mary Smith Room

1 Double Sofa Bed

Master Bedroom #1 The John O Morse Room

1 Queen Bed

7 bathrooms

Bath #1 Front of the house 1st Floor

Toilet · Shower only

Bath #2 Back of the House 1st Floor

Toilet · Shower only

Bath #3 Front of the house 2nd Floor

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Bath #4 2nd from the front of the house 2nd Floor

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Bath #5 3rd from the front of the house 2nd Floor

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Bath #6 4th from the front of the house 2nd Floor

Toilet · Shower only

Bath #7 3rd Floor

Bathtub or shower · Bathtub · Toilet

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Office
Balcony
Separate dining area
Garden

About this property

Luxurious Captain's Mansion - Waterfront, Town, & Beaches - 5 stars

The Captain Morse House is located in Edgartown on Martha's Vineyard. It is one of New England's premier vacation rental homes. It was built by the island's most successful whaling Captain in 1840. The 1840 Captain Morse House has a superb location on the waterfront and a walk to Edgartown's shopping and beaches. At the bottom of Morse Street lies the North Wharf where Captain Morse used to keep his whaling ships.

The home features 26 rooms with 12 bedrooms, 7 baths, two full kitchens, two dining rooms, and two living rooms. The home can be rented in its entirety or just as the East or West Wing with flexible floor plans starting with 5

Outside the house
On the iconic North Water Street, there are two spacious porches with views of Edgartown Harbor. The porches are framed by 10 Doric columns and face the harbor. They create an ideal place to spend the day. The large backyard and garden offer a private oasis from the bustle of a Vineyard summer. The yard is graced by three towering and magnificent 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 a very nice barbecue. The tool shed holds complimentary bicycles, beach chairs, and lawn games.

About the Interior
The home is spread out 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 dual access portals 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. 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 and seating for four. 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 5 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms. These are all laid out in a way that you will not see in other houses built more recently. It is part of the charm of the house.

On the third floor, there are an additional four bedrooms. This is the simplest 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.

As you might be able to guess 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:
Parties and events are not allowed on the Airbnb Booking platform due to their global ban on events over 16 people. 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
This may repeat what is on Airbnb

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: 2024-09

Property manager

Platt Johnson
Premier Host

Languages

English, French

Amenities

Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Pet-friendly
Free WiFi
Air conditioning

Similar properties

House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 10:00 AM

Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17

Events

Events allowed
Not on Airbnb. Not without written permission.

Pets

Pets allowed
When you pay a pet fee you can bring your pet/anim

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
Tenant is required to sign our rental agreement. If you want permission to bring an animal then you must pay a pet fee.
A Security Deposit (not a payment but a Credit Hold) will be placed on your Credit Card / No events at the house without landlords written permission.
Always report any accidental damages or breakages in a timely manner before you check-out. There is insurance for that possibility.

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Parties and events are allowed on site
Note from host: Not on Airbnb. Not without written permission.
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit
Property Registration Number C0028280890

We should mention

A car is not required for transport to and from this property

About the area

Edgartown

Located in Edgartown, this holiday home is on the waterfront. Vincent House Museum and Cottage Museum are cultural highlights, and travellers looking to shop may want to visit Circuit Avenue and Main Street. Oak Bluffs Fishing Pier and Flying Horses Carousel are also worth visiting. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Map
Edgartown, MA

What's nearby

  • Edgartown Lighthouse - 8 min walk
  • Lighthouse Beach - 9 min walk
  • Edgartown Beach - 7 min drive
  • South Beach - 12 min drive
  • Katama Beach - 15 min drive

Getting around

  • Vineyard Haven, MA (MVY-Martha's Vineyard) - 11 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Nomans - ‬9 min drive
  • ‪Seafood Shanty - ‬5 min walk
  • ‪Wharf Pub & Restaurant - ‬4 min walk
  • ‪Town Bar MV - ‬18 min walk
  • ‪Katama General Store - ‬18 min walk

Frequently asked questions

Is Luxurious Captain's Mansion - Waterfront, Town, & Beaches - 5 stars pet-friendly?

Yes, pets are allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Luxurious Captain's Mansion - Waterfront, Town, & Beaches - 5 stars?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Luxurious Captain's Mansion - Waterfront, Town, & Beaches - 5 stars?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Luxurious Captain's Mansion - Waterfront, Town, & Beaches - 5 stars located?

Situated on the waterfront, this holiday home is within a 10-minute walk of Vincent House Museum, Old Whaling Church and Edgartown Lighthouse. Lighthouse Beach and Edgartown Public Library are also within 15 minutes.

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
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Rating 10 - Excellent. 59 out of 61 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 2 out of 61 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 61 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 61 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 61 reviews" "

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

9.8/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Melissa L.

Beautiful accomodations in a fabulous location.
The Captain Morse House is a lovingly restored home in a fabulous location. The house mixes historic charm with beautifully updated amenities including kitchens & bathrooms. All of the rooms are spacious and comfortable for gathering. The kitchens are fully-equipped including outdoor gas grills. The backyard is beautiful with a lush lawn, flowerbeds and outdoor dining tables. I rented both wings for a large family gathering. The accommodations were so comfortable and in good order that it made the weekend effortless and enjoyable for everyone. Having the house walking distance to town was an added bonus. This was my first time renting on MV and I will definitely return to the Captain Morse House.

10/10 Excellent

Patricia A.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
70th Birthday Party
We hosted a 70th Birthday Party. We invited friends and family to spend the weekend with us to celebrate this milestone. Everyone loved the property. It had everything we needed; plenty of places to gather, eat and walking distance to downtown Edgartown. It was March so it was cold and windy. The house has so much character, history and lovely little extras you have to experience. A wonderful experience.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Erica P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great first visit to Martha’s Vineyard
Our family (20 of us) had a lovely week on Martha’s Vineyard staying at the Captain Morse House. The house was excellent, in a great location and fit our family’s needs perfectly. We highly recommend staying there.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2023
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

William & Sherry T.

Fabulous family fourth!
We spent 2 wonderful weeks at this amazing historical home. Platt, the owner, is so easy to get in touch with and so helpful The house was unbelievably well equipped with everything you could possibly need from the basics to bicycles and everything in between. There was absolutely itching we needed for our two week family stay that wasn’t there!! We’d highly recommend it for any type of event and hope to return again and again!
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

William & Sherry T.

Wonderful house for large family vacation!
This house has everything you could possibly need from stemware to bicycles and all in between. A fantastic family vacation house especially over the 4th of July as right on the parade route. We definitely recommend and hope to be back many more times!! Owner extremely easy to contact and very helpful throughput our stay.
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Marie C.

Winter on the vineyard
My family and I go to the vineyard every winter, and it’s always a great time. We usually stay at hotels but we really wanted to be together this time. We found the Captain Morse house and I could not be more thankful! Our weekend was everything we’d thought it would be and more. This house extremely homey and comfortable! We never wanted to leave! There were great paths for our annual night walk (yes, we walk in winter 😅) we were in walking distance to some amazing coffee shops and diners, and the kids had a ball during our dance party with all the cousins, aunts, and uncles! Above all I have to say, the management was the best part! You can stay at a place that has everything you need and more, but if the people running it aren’t accommodating or lack communication, you’d never want to go there again! This team went above and beyond to make sure we had everything we needed and we were comfortable! They responded to a late night request as well which was very impressive! Safe to say…. We will be back next February! Thank you so much!!! The Crafts Family

10/10 Excellent

Cristen M., Cambridge, MA

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great stay for large group in Edgartown
Lovely historic house in an excellent location. The host was great and very helpful. We really enjoyed our stay.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Bernard G., Santa Barbara, CA

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Captain Morse House
Excellent
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Norman Y.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Golf trip
Perfect
Stayed 3 nights in May 2022

10/10 Excellent

Caitlin D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful home in a perfect location
The Captain Morse House was lovely and in a perfect location in Edgartown. The kitchens were well stocked, the yard and patio were beautiful, and the house was full of charm and history. I highly recommend staying here.
Stayed 5 nights in Apr 2022

10/10 Excellent

Michael L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Fabulous in all regards
We'd not hesitate for a moment before returning. Our group was adult siblings, spouses, and young children. The house (we had both wings) was perfect for us. There was space to spread out--adults could be in the front living rooms while kids enjoyed feeling independent in the back. Two kitchens avoided any crunches of space. Bedrooms galore provided great flexibility. A short walk to Lighthouse Beach or to town provided perfect outings. And, used to living ourselves in a house of a similar era (early 1800s) with English antiques accented by China Trade pieces, we felt perfectly at home. The house clearly has a force field around it that avoids "beach house kitsch." It's just charming. And three big cheers for the Heidi, the manager. On top of providing a wonderful welcome when we arrived, she hit true heroics at 10:45am on New Year's Day when she answered our call on the first ring and arrived at the house within minutes and jumped our car, the battery of which had died, in time to make our boat off-island. That is truly above and beyond.
Stayed 5 nights in Dec 2021

10/10 Excellent

mitchell m., Ridgewood, NJ

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Capt Morse house
Very well out-fitted house with all necessary amenities including bbq, beach towels, games, internet, printer, & cooking utensils.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2021

10/10 Excellent

Taylor M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great house for a big group
We were a group of 10 work colleagues who enjoyed the house for some off site meetings and fun. It was great for both. Plenty of space for people to gather or spread out as needed. Would definitely stay there again.
Stayed 5 nights in May 2021

10/10 Excellent

Rike B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Best Family Vacation Ever!
We stayed at the Captain Morse House for a large family celebration (10 adults and 3 kiddos) and had the most lovely stay! The house is situated perfectly between cute shops in downtown Edgartown and the idyllic lighthouse. We loved taking strolls for a morning pastry, followed by lunch at the house and a meander to the beach to frolic in the ocean. The house also has bicycles, which we took out to explore other parts of the island. The Captain’s house was a perfect place to stay -- we got to hang out all under one roof, eat meals together, watch the Warriors together etc. All while having enough space for everyone to feel comfortable and enough rooms to nestle in by one’s self if needed. There are two kitchens (fully equipped with all sorts of cooking utensils, platters, dishes, anything you could want ) -- our family used the smaller kitchen for breakfast preparation and the large kitchen for epic dinner preparations. As for the sleeping quarters, the bedrooms are cozy and flooded with light. Two of the upstairs bedrooms connect to a gorgeous porch which is great for a nice view and people watching. There is also a downstairs porch that was perfect for cocktails and many games of chess. The backyard outdoor space was beautiful -- the tables outside were great for a delightful outdoor lunch while the kids ran around on the lawn nearby. The owners are also incredibly kind and generous and made our stay at Capt. Morse’s house very special, smooth and sublime! We cannot wait to visit again. June 10, 2019
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2019

10/10 Excellent

Jim B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Fantastic experience!
The Captain Morse House is a beautiful, historic home that couldn’t be more conveniently located to downtown Edgartown and the Lighthouse beach. The house has tons of character and lots of rooms to accommodate a large group. Beautiful yard with room for kids to play. Can’t wait to return!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2019

10/10 Excellent

Charity W.

Beautiful!
I went here with a great group of women last week, and had a wonderful time! I had never been to the area, and couldn’t have asked for a more central spot. There was so much in walking distance, and such a quaint town! The house was beautiful, and so full of character and history. It was extremely well-appointed and comfortable too. I would definitely recommend it!!

10/10 Excellent

Cheri W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Have you seen Martha?
Beautiful, unique and spacious! One of the most interesting houses, I’ve ever had the pleasure to stay in. Charming and old with lots of character, but modernized in the places that needed to be. Trip of a lifetime with some amazing women, and this house just made it that more special and fun!

10/10 Excellent

John R.

Great experience
The Captain Morse House was an excellent experience for our group. There was plenty of space, it had everything we needed and it was close to downtown Edgartown. I would highly recommend this property.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2018

10/10 Excellent

Daniel M.

Breathe taking house overall
This home is a once-in-a-life-time opportunity to experience one of the best vacation rentals on the island. My family rented the house in July of 2018 and we had an incredible stay and the memories we made will last a life time. The home has EVERYTHING you will need to enjoy a fun filled vacation. The location of the home is truly ideal with just a short walk (2 blocks) to Edgartown Harbor, 3 area beaches to chose from and a just short stroll to the business district with some of the best restaurants and shops on the island. The home itself exudes old world charm, yet has ALL of the amenities and upgrades that will make your stay a memorable one. The owner, and his team, are there for you if you have any questions during your time at the property. Very nice people and very accommodating. There is plenty of out door living space including the private patio in the rear of the home with seating for the extended family that incudes a huge gas grill, plenty of front porch seating as well with some views of the harbor or you can even lounge out on the well manicured grounds with beautiful mature plantings. There is no need to rent bikes as there are plenty of high-end bikes with helmets in the shed for your use. You will not find a better vacation on the island. This is the one!! #fivestars

10/10 Excellent

Steve S.

Amazing and Memorable Vacation with the Family!
My family and I absolutely loved the house and our stay in Edgartown. The house is in an amazing location right in the middle of town and within walking distance to everything.The house is very well kept and there is great attention to detail. Platt was an unbelievable host and was always available to take care of anything we needed. I highly recommend the home for anyone taking some time to vacation in Edgartown!

8/10 Good

Christian B.

Unique experience
The house is located in the heart of the town and is walking distance to everywhere. It’s an historic house with lots of rooms. Platt couldn’t be nicer and more accommodating. Very unique and special experience. Highly recommended
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2018

10/10 Excellent

Russ H.

Great Venue for Large Gathering
We spend a wonderful week at the Captain Morse House, which was rented for my son's wedding. My son and his bride wanted a "destination wedding" and the Morse House in Edgartown was the perfect place. We had a total of 20 guests who were comfortably accommodated. Many traveled in from the Midwest and were first time visitors to the area. They were impressed by the grandeur of the house and the many nautical themed pictures which adorn the walls. Having everyone under one roof certainly made the logistics of an event like a wedding much easier. The kitchen and food preparation areas are first-rate. The two kitchens are well stocked with every imaginable kitchen gadget or pot and pan, as well as enough place settings for almost any sized group. One of the two kitchens features a six-burner range that would please any gourmet chef. Although the Captain Morse House is an old house, what is most impressive is everything works. The plumbing is great, and all the showers have an impressive amount of water pressure. The electrical system is modern and unlike some old houses, you can simultaneously run the coffee maker and microwave and not pop circuit breakers. There is a great WiFi setup, and several big screen TV's. We didn't spend much time indoors watching TV as the weather was perfect when we were there, but you could do that on a rainy day. As there is limited parking at the house, I would recommend off-island guests leave their cars on the mainland. Getting around the island is easy using the VTA buses, taxis, or Uber. Once in Edgartown, guests really don't need cars, as there are dozens of shops and restaurants nearby within easy walking distance. Adventurous types can use one of the bikes available for guests to go exploring around other parts of the island. Overall, the Captain Morse House is a wonderful venue for any event that involves a large group of people. It's perfect for weddings, family reunions, or corporate retreats. If you decide the rent the house, I am sure you will enjoy it and the Edgartown area as much as we did.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Kat C.

Beautiful home. Perfect location. Terrific owner.
What a beautiful house in, perhaps, the best location on Martha's Vineyard. The house was elegant but not stuffy, had everything we could have ever needed. Platt was responsive, literally within minutes over a holiday week to answer any of our questions. He even patched us in to a call to the cable company he was on when we could not figure out the tv's! This beautiful home will be part of our lifetime memories! We cannot wait to return!
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

8/10 Good

Andy W.

Perfect Edgartown location & great house
We had 3 families staying here for the Christmas in Edgartown weekend which we go to every year. The house is very large and comfortable, feeling spacious despite us having 6 adults and 5 kids staying. Plenty of room to spread out and stay out of each others' way when you want. Even by Edgartown standards the location is superb, right on Water Street, overlooking the Ocean and 2 mins from the shops, restaurants, Chappy ferry and Harbourview Hotel. Platt was very thorough with all the arrangements and the property was clean and well-maintained. It's a classic old New England house so take that for what it is, but we thoroughly enjoyed our stay and would certainly recommend it to other large groups and families.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Stephanie M.

Lovely property in the heart of Edgartown
The Captain Morse house is roomy and extremely well maintained. The owner and house manager are friendly and responsive. Our family of 18 enjoyed our stay very much and the location allows for people with different interests to go in their own direction without any problems. The home and landscape are so beautiful. It was so hard to pick where to spend our time.

About the host

Hosted by Platt Johnson

Host profile image
The Captain Morse House has been in our family since my father purchased it in 1955. I spent my summers at the house until I graduated from Tufts University. In 1973 I started Island Sports, a boat rigging and windsurfing shop. I expanded it to Newport RI in 1979 and ran it there until 2007 when we sold it. In 2008 I entered the vacation business and converted the Captain Morse House into a successful vacation rental. Since 2008 we have rented the home to over 200 families and groups.

Our most recent project is Vacation Rental MV. This is a full-service vacation management business designed to assist busy homeowners with listing and managing their on-island rental properties. 2021 will be our second season in business.

In the winter my wife and I live in Florida. Each spring we drive up to the island where we open up the house and prepare it for the season. We spend about a month doing this and then travel to Oregon where we spend the summer windsurfing, kitesurfing, and enjoying all that the Northwest has to offer. In the fall we return to the island and help close the house and prepare it for the winter. There are always jobs to do on a house this large and so this allows us more hands-on time. In the late fall, we travel back down to Florida with the geese. I have built several homes and enjoy the challenge of maintaining this old house and of creating wonderful living spaces suitable for large or small numbers of guests.

Due to my long time on the island. I can help to plan your vacation. I can provide you the best possible service if we communicate via telephone or email. Our guests aren't clients so much as they are friends assisting us in maintaining the property and keeping it in our family for future generations. The vacation rental business has allowed our family to continue to own the house and to share it with other people that love the island and the unique architecture and heritage of this wonderful building.

Why they chose this property

My father often visited Edgartown on his father's sailboat, the Gertrude. In 1955 my parents purchased the Captain Morse House in order to have a summer home to raise their growing family. Back in 1955 Edgartown was still a failed whaling town without the top reputation it now enjoys. Shortly after the purchase they added a separate kitchen and changed the house so that they could divide it into wings. This allowed them to rent them out separately. We have kept this configuration and you can still rent out the home Complete or as an East Wing or as a West Wing.

and I then spent every summer there until I moved to Newport Rhode Island in 1979. I continued to visit my parents each summer until 2007. I now spend as much time as I can on the island attending to the house and maintaining it. When it was built in 1840 it was perhaps the best home in Edgartown. Now movie stars and celebrities have built larger homes but non with the style and class of the Captain Morse House.

What makes this property unique

There are lots of modern and redone houses around but there are very few of these homes. Built in 1840 and filled with charm and character you will be enthralled by the beauty and simplicity of the home and it's surroundings.

Our guests say this is the perfect location. You are close to town and right up from the harbor. Park the car for the week or leave it on the mainland. Our location allows for freedom from car pooling and shuttles. Everything is literally a walk away. We love walking down Morse Street to the boatyard to see what's happening on the waterfront and to talk to the boaters and fisherman.
The large open home offers privacy and retreat no matter how many people fill the house.
The large backyard can serve as a base for quiet afternoons as well as an evening party.
The restaurants and shops are all an easy walk away but it is the waterfront that is the best part of living at the Captain Morse House. After all - it is a whaling Captain's home

Languages:

English, French

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