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When they filmed Jaws, on Martha’s Vineyard

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by Sandra Hutchinson

The blockbuster film Jaws, was released on June 20, 1975, fifty years ago today. I’m reposting here the article I wrote in 2023 about the filming of the movie on Martha’s Vineyard in 1974.

In the spring of 1974, a young 27-year-old director named Steven Spielberg began filming Jaws on the Massachusetts island of Martha’s Vineyard. Universal Studios had recently bought film rights to Peter Benchley’s not-yet-released thriller about a killer great white shark that terrorizes the fictional New England Amity Island. 

The Martha’s Vineyard Museum, in Vineyard Haven, is currently hosting a “mini-exhibit” on the filming of Jaws, on display until March 24, 2024. I had a chance to visit in August, 2023. Here are some highlights. 

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Highlights from the Shelburne Museum — a few of my favorite things

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by Sandra Hutchinson

Every few years I make it a point to visit the Shelburne Museum, in Shelburne, Vermont. Spread over 45 acres on the eastern side of Lake Champlain, several miles south of Burlington, the museum primarily houses the eclectic collection of its founder, Electra Havemeyer Webb (1888-1960). The property is close to Shelburne Farms, the estate and large farm developed by the Webb family.

The Shelburne Museum has one of the best collections known of late 18th and 19th century Mochaware.
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When they filmed Jaws, on Martha’s Vineyard

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by Sandra Hutchinson

In the spring of 1974, a young 27-year-old director named Steven Spielberg began filming Jaws on the Massachusetts island of Martha’s Vineyard. Universal Studios had recently bought film rights to Peter Benchley’s not-yet-released thriller about a killer great white shark that terrorizes the fictional New England Amity Island.

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Spring weekend in Grafton, Vt.

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After my husband and I were fully vaccinated against COVID-19 in March, we were thrilled to celebrate our new status by having a weekend away, in the sleepy picture book village of Grafton, Vermont. My husband wrote a piece about our escape for our newspaper, The Chronicle. I have reproduced it below, accompanied by my photos.

—Sandra Hutchinson

The 19th century Tuttle House we rented in Grafton, Vt. for a spring weekend

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