The White House confirmed Friday what has pretty much been common knowledge on Martha’s Vineyard for months. President Barack Obama, First Lady MIchelle Obama and their two daughters will return to the Island this summer, as they have all but one year of his presidency.
“On Saturday, August 8th, the President and the First Lady will travel to Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts,” a White House spokesman said in a press release distributed late Friday. “They will remain there until Sunday, August 23rd, when they will return to Washington, D.C. There are no public events scheduled at this time, and further details regarding travel will be released as soon as they are available.”
Official confirmation followed preparations that began months ago when the White House began making reservations to accommodate the large entourage of Secret Service agents, White House staffers, and support personnel that are responsible for the safety and success of the president’s vacation.
Chilmark is favored
Last year, the Obamas stayed at the home of Joanne Hubschman on Gosnold’s Way off Prospect Hill Road, which overlooks the north shore and Vineyard Sound. The seven-bedroom, nine-bath, 8,100-square-foot house, sits on a 10-acre lot and features 17 rooms in total, expansive water views of Vineyard Sound, an infinity pool and hot tub, and a dual tennis-basketball court.
Ray and Lillian Kellman, who live in the house next door, told The Times in early June they suspect the Obamas will return to the neighborhood this summer.
“We’ve heard that they’re coming back,” said Mr. Kellman. “They’ve rented houses around here, and they wanted to rent this house for the purpose of the Secret Service. I presume if they rented houses around that they’re going to be here.”
Although he hadn’t heard anything official yet, Mr. Kellman said he was contacted by a real estate agent who told him that his house was one of several being considered for rental to the Secret Service. He said the Hubschman house is the perfect spot for the president and his family, as it is surrounded by conservation land.
“It’s completely private — it’s all reservation down here — which is why it’s so great for him,” Mr. Kellman said. “It’s a very secure area. It has a swimming pool, it has tennis courts, it has everything that you could want right there. And it’s got a rather staggering view.”
After living in their home in Chilmark for 40 years, the Kellmans never thought they would be sharing the neighborhood with a president. They said that besides a few road stops for car checks, the biggest inconvenience was having to provide a list of all their house guests. Last year they forgot to include their gardener and best friends on the list. But by and large, they said, having the Obamas next door didn’t really affect them.
“As far as I was concerned, we were just sorry not to catch a glimpse of him,” Ms. Kellman said.
Mr. Obama and his family have vacationed on the Island every year since his 2008 election, with the exception of 2012, when he was campaigning for re-election. Chilmark is their favored vacation spot.
In 2009, 2010, and 2011, the first family rented Blue Heron Farm in Chilmark, a 28.5-acre compound on Tisbury Great Pond. In 2013, the first family rented a house in Chilmark just off South Road. The location necessitated a road closure that left some Island residents grumbling about the inconvenience.
Past presidential vacation activities have included golf, more golf, bike trips with the family, hikes, and dinner with friends.
