President Obama will return to Martha’s Vineyard early next month for a 16-day family vacation, the White House confirmed this week. The Obamas will stay in Chilmark again, but this year in a different home.
President Obama will return to Martha’s Vineyard early next month for a 16-day family vacation, the White House confirmed this week. It will mark the fifth time during his presidency that President Obama will visit the Island.
A White House official said in an email Wednesday that the president and first lady will travel to the Vineyard on Saturday, August 9, and will depart for Washington, D.C., on Sunday, August 24. No public events are scheduled and no further details were released by the White House.
Airy summer table set for a president.
Airy summer table set for a president.
But the Gazette has learned that as in past trips, the president will be staying in Chilmark, this time at a new location. The Obamas will rent a private home off North Road in Chilmark that belongs to Joanne Hubschman. Situated in a secluded high meadow dotted with wildflowers and native shrubs, the expansive, three-story summer home has sweeping views of the Elizabeth Islands. The home has an outdoor swimming pool set in an outdoor deck, basketball and tennis courts, and an indoor gym and workout area.
President Obama and his family vacationed on the Vineyard in 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2013. They did not come in 2012 during the run up to the presidential election that fall. Mr. Obama also visited the Island a number of times before he was president. His close friend and senior advisor Valerie Jarrett is a longtime seasonal resident of Oak Bluffs; during Mr. Obama’s presidency she has often accompanied him to the Island during his August vacations, staying in her own rented home near East Chop.
The first family has always stayed in a rented home in Chilmark.
For three years, the president rented Blue Heron Farm in Chilmark, a 28-acre estate that borders Tisbury Great Pond. The gentleman’s farm was sold in 2012 to new owners who opted not to rent the property.
Last year the Obamas stayed at a private home off South Road in Chilmark owned by David Schulte. The location posed some logistical problems, as it required part of South Road to be closed for security reasons during the president’s visit.
This year the Obamas will trade the sandy south shore with its Great Ponds and wide views of the Atlantic for the morainal, boulder-strewn north shore with its long views across the sound to the small chain of Elizabeth Islands that form Gosnold, the seventh town in Dukes County.
If history bears repeating, the president and his family will spend their vacation time quietly, with no scheduled public appearances or events. During past Vineyard trips the Obamas visited secluded beaches, rode bikes through the state forest and had meals at favorite Island restaurants, including Sweet Life Cafe and Nancy’s in Oak Bluffs, State Road restaurant in West Tisbury and the Beach Plum in Chilmark. The president likes to spend time on the Island’s golf courses, including Farm Neck in Oak Bluffs, Vineyard Golf Club in Edgartown and Mink Meadows in Vineyard Haven. He has also been known to show up at the Oak Bluffs School to shoot hoops in the school gymnasium.
Dating back to the years when the Clintons vacationed on the Vineyard, from time to time national events historically intrude on presidential vacations, and press conferences are held with the Island as a backdrop.
During the Obamas’ past visits, Islanders have welcomed the president and his family, posting homemade signs and hanging flags along Vineyard roads and gathering to watch as the presidential motorcade speeds past.
In recent years Alley’s General Store has been a favorite spot for motorcade watching, but that will change this year with the change in location for the summer White House.
Comments
Rest and restoration? Really?
BFRest and restoration? Really?
From what, the pen and the phone?
Welcome Mr President and
KGH EdgartownWelcome Mr President and Family. I would choose to ignore all the negative posts here. Seems people have a short memory for other presidential vacations taken by other presidents. You (and every other president) deserve a summer break with your family ... something every American should enjoy.
What an honor that our
Sam U EdgartownWhat an honor that our president picks our island for his family vacation! I am shocked by the number of comments above extolling the virtues of the Bush family's real estate holdings. President Obama does not own an escape in Texas or a waterfront spread in Maine. The "Obama Bump" is great for local business. It is in our best interest to keep our freely elected Commander in Chief safe and secure in all locations. Restricting the vacation of any American citizen because of security needs is ludicrous. The expense of a vacation is nary a drop in the bucket. In fact, it is a bargain when one imagines the access to the captains of business that our president will have access to while here. Those captains of business hold unprecedented political and economic power in in our country. Maybe this is really a working vacation to unblock congress?
How wonderful that the
Gertrude (Gee Gee) Barden Porter Ranch, CAHow wonderful that the President and his family choose to spend their summer vacations on our special Island. I cringe to read the many negative comments, most so mean and lacking in empathy. Our President has the toughest job in the world, filled with stresses most of us can only imagine. At least during the time our visit overlaps with his, there will be a wonderful red, white, and blue poster, commissioned from a neighborhood boy last summer, welcoming the President and inviting him to come sit on the porch of our family cottage in Oak Bluffs.
President Obama, Could you
J. W. J. San Luis Obispo, CA & O.B. MassPresident Obama, Could you possibly stop by and get our innocent United States Marine out of that Mexican prison on your way up here? I understand you have spoken to the Mexican president on other issues that you find important like immigration but somehow did not mention the name of Marine Sgt. Andrew Tahmooressi still being held in a Mexican jail for over three months after accidentally taking a wrong turn into Mexico with three legal guns in his vehicle. Enjoy your vacation on Martha's Vineyard Sir.
I am having a terrible time justifying voting for you twice!
In reply to, Gertrude (Gee
From HereIn reply to, Gertrude (Gee Gee) Barden, Porter Ranch, CA. What is this "our special Island" stuff? Some of here are not as happy as you and wish he would come sit on your porch in Porter Ranch, CA instead.
I love all the comments -
Jeff MississippiI love all the comments - better than the announcement!
Anyways - Obama is so hypocritical when it comes to the class warfare game- yet he will be hanging with the 1% crowd
LOL
I didn't vote for Mr. Obama,
Offering welcome AquinnahI didn't vote for Mr. Obama, and I disagree with most of his views and policies. But he and his family deserve a quiet, private vacation this summer. The girls, especially, need some somewhat normal time with their parents, away from the public glare, in the midst of the Vineyard's unique natural beauty. Chilmark is gorgeous, but I would be happy to invite the First Family to join my
husband and me at our home in Aquinnah for a swim and a quiet dinner. We would avoid political talk, and focus on the twilight over the ocean.
Perhaps the owners of the
Truthteller CAPerhaps the owners of the rental house for POTUS and family for their summer vacation, as one percenters, could invite some of the people crossing our border down South to share their house with them. I am sure the illegals would appreciate the gesture of good will and inclusion.
Agreed
GMS CtAgreed
Whatever happened to Camp
Lorraine Castell MassachusettsWhatever happened to Camp David???
Hoo Rah! Lorraine for
BFHoo Rah! Lorraine for President!!
Speaking about Marine Sgt.
Unemployed soldierSpeaking about Marine Sgt. Andrew Tahmooressi, Mr president you traded Five of the most deadly terrorists for one american deserter. While you vacation here would you consider of trading 12 million illegal aliens that are here for our one Marine in Mexico? You could also kick in almost 80,000 new illegals you have recently let in with more on their way by the train loads. Maybe once we get our Marine back you could then think about securing our boarders. I know dozens of prior military honorable veterans out of work that would love to protect our homeland.
well said unemployed solider,
GMS Ct ctwell said unemployed solider, and Thank you for serving our country.
I’m ashamed that the world’s
Mike BI’m ashamed that the world’s worst president would want to come here on vacation.
You have to be kidding or had
Really!??!!?You have to be kidding or had you head buried in the one of those sand dunes between 2000-2008 ... If you don't like that man, just say you don't like him. But your statement could not be more inaccurate.
Our southern border is being
KellMac EdgartownOur southern border is being overrun by illegal immigrants (at a great profit to Border Patrol-killing drug cartels), Israel and Gaza are volleying missiles back and forth, ISIS is "reacquiring" Iraq via beheading and mass executions via firing squad while 50 million Americans are on EBT/food stamps and Obama takes SIXTEEN DAYS off the "relax" and golf?
Before you call me a "racist" for bringing this up, ask yourself if FDR, JFK or even Bill Clinton would take a 16-day vacation while the world is burning down.
Nero fiddles....
Yeah Kelly in Edgartown..
GMS CtYeah Kelly in Edgartown...nice to finally see there aren't all liberals living in MVY!!! BTW why do so many people say you're a racist if you don't like Obama..I don't like Hillary either..does that mean even though I'm a woman I'm against women too? Time for Obama supporters to drop that it's so old and out of date.
Scott in Edgartown...well
GMS CtScott in Edgartown...well said!
The President, as the leader
KGThe President, as the leader of the Free World, has the right to do what he wants. Not to mention, Summer vacation with your family is important. In terms of boosting a local economy, it would awesome if the vacationed in a location that may not draw as much tourism already. The Vineyard would have already had tourist there, but maybe not spending as much on house rentals as they are now.
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