In a three-way partnership that will protect the last key piece of undeveloped land at one of the oldest wildlife sanctuaries on the Vineyard, the

A house on Starbuck's Neck in Edgartown whose history as a summer home dates back a full century was sold this week for a record $21.8 million.

The home, still known to most Vineyard residents as the former Sharp house, was purchased by a private buyer. This marks the second record sale for the same house in less than two years.

When Steven McCormick was a law student, he asked a professor to explain the exact meaning of the word perpetuity. The law professor's reply to the young student was simple and direct. "It means forever - and a day," the professor said.

Forever and a day is exactly how long the farm fields will now be preserved at the Herring Creek Farm in Edgartown, and on the Vineyard this week Mr.

Herring Creek Farm, the storied and richly diverse Great Plains farm in the rural coastal perimeters of Edgartown, is now set to be sold for a record price to an eclectic group that includes two nonprofit conservation organizations and two private buyers.

A 32-lot luxury home subdivision plan for the Herring Creek Farm in Edgartown cleared the final hurdle for approval this week, but if a complicated private agreement for the sale of the farm is completed in the months ahead, the subdivision may never be developed.

The leading spokesman for the Herring Creek Farm Trust told the Edgartown planning board this week that the sale of the farm to a private buyer now hinges on the board's approval of a luxury home subdivision plan for the farm.