Tom Dresser started writing professionally at the tender age of 11 when he founded the Springdale News, in 1958. He continued to edit the monthly neighborhood newspaper until he went off to college, some eight years later.
After teaching school for a decade, and running nursing homes for two decades, Tom was bitten by the writing bug once again. Over the past twenty years his byline has appeared on countless articles, and he has published more than a dozen pamphlets and books.
Browse this site to see what Tom has to offer.
Vineyard Histories
African Americans of Martha's Vineyard : From slaves to our President, the story is all right here.
Disaster off Martha's Vineyard : The worst shipwreck in Vineyard history was caused by human error.
Martha's Vineyard : A History : This is a light read, tracing Vineyard history through the years. Due out this spring.
Martha's Vineyard in World War II : Who knew so much happened on the Vineyard during the war?
Music on Martha's Vineyard : The History of Harmony : Lots of magical musical moments took place on the Vineyard.
Mystery on the Vineyard : An unsolved murder is solved, yet Harold Tracy got away with murder.
The Wampanoag Tribe of Martha's Vineyard : Native Americans' claim to be the original inhabitants is borne out.
Women of Martha's Vineyard : Through the years remarkable women have made valuable Vineyard contributions.
Pamphlets
Beyond Bar Harbor - The story of Mount Desert Island serves as a unique chapter in Maine's maritime history.
Dogtown : A Village Lost in Time - This account of rustic Cape Ann describes a community no longer viable.
It Happened In Haverhill - The story of Hannah Dustin is only one aspect of this shoe capital of the northeast.
Looking at Lawrence - The Bread and Roses Strike took place in this old mill town. And a whole lot more.
Tommy's Tour of the Vineyard - Visit the Vineyard from the comfort of your living room.
Fiction
In My Life : This is a mostly fictional account of coming of age in the 1960s.
Treatises
It was 40 Years Ago Today : One man's take on the Beatles, tracing their stature through their lyrics.
Springdale News : 30th anniversary compilation of Holden's Oldest Newspaper.
After teaching school for a decade, and running nursing homes for two decades, Tom was bitten by the writing bug once again. Over the past twenty years his byline has appeared on countless articles, and he has published more than a dozen pamphlets and books.
Browse this site to see what Tom has to offer.
Vineyard Histories
African Americans of Martha's Vineyard : From slaves to our President, the story is all right here.
Disaster off Martha's Vineyard : The worst shipwreck in Vineyard history was caused by human error.
Martha's Vineyard : A History : This is a light read, tracing Vineyard history through the years. Due out this spring.
Martha's Vineyard in World War II : Who knew so much happened on the Vineyard during the war?
Music on Martha's Vineyard : The History of Harmony : Lots of magical musical moments took place on the Vineyard.
Mystery on the Vineyard : An unsolved murder is solved, yet Harold Tracy got away with murder.
The Wampanoag Tribe of Martha's Vineyard : Native Americans' claim to be the original inhabitants is borne out.
Women of Martha's Vineyard : Through the years remarkable women have made valuable Vineyard contributions.
Pamphlets
Beyond Bar Harbor - The story of Mount Desert Island serves as a unique chapter in Maine's maritime history.
Dogtown : A Village Lost in Time - This account of rustic Cape Ann describes a community no longer viable.
It Happened In Haverhill - The story of Hannah Dustin is only one aspect of this shoe capital of the northeast.
Looking at Lawrence - The Bread and Roses Strike took place in this old mill town. And a whole lot more.
Tommy's Tour of the Vineyard - Visit the Vineyard from the comfort of your living room.
Fiction
In My Life : This is a mostly fictional account of coming of age in the 1960s.
Treatises
It was 40 Years Ago Today : One man's take on the Beatles, tracing their stature through their lyrics.
Springdale News : 30th anniversary compilation of Holden's Oldest Newspaper.
Listen to our interview on Music on Martha's Vineyard. It was on The Point with Mindy Todd. Here's the link to the program: http://capeandislands.org/post/music-lives-martha-s-vineyard.
Just submitted the manuscript for the latest book in the series : Martha's Vineyard : A History. Due out in the spring.
Below: standing: Rick Convery of the Bodes; seated: Jerry Muskin; front: Tom Dresser
Tom and Jerry just published Music on Martha's Vineyard. Book launch was held Sunday September 28, 2014.
Tom and Jerry just published Music on Martha's Vineyard. Book launch was held Sunday September 28, 2014.
Enjoy this website. Feel free to browse. And visit again.
My latest book, Music on Martha's Vineyard, is in bookstores, as of September 17, 2014! Check it out.
The wampumcollection.com published my article entitled The Prime of Life. Find out what I think about being 67!
Our book, Martha's Vineyard in World War II, was published on May 1, 2014. Here's a review published in the Martha's Vineyard Times:
https://www.mvtimes.com/2014/05/06/marshalling-the-troops-world-war-ii-on-marthas-vineyard-comes-to-life/
And the Vineyard Gazette had this to say: http://shar.es/VYn1E
Here is the link to the World War II story in our radio interview on May 20, 2014, aired on WCAI.
http://capeandislands.org/post/book-chronicles-wwii-impact-marthas-vineyard
Music on Martha's Vineyard, the History of Harmony, with Jerry Muskin has been published. It is in the bookstore, awaiting you!
Available Now!
With our book about World War II, we held a cross-Island speaking tour, visiting libraries, book stores, senior centers and the high school to spread the word about our work in this landmark book, Martha's Vineyard in World War II. Very pleased with the response, from people whose memories include some of the events we write about to younger people curious about what went on on the Vineyard, all those years ago.
We're enjoying the ride!
[photo taken May 27, 2014 at the Oak Bluffs library]
We're enjoying the ride!
[photo taken May 27, 2014 at the Oak Bluffs library]
Three Romeos (retired old men eating out) enjoying a restful moment at our local haunt, Woodside Grill.
Stop in and say hello!
Tom Dresser, Herb Foster and Jay Schofield in the field, researching World War II on Martha's Vineyard. Photo by Bud Mayhew.
Books are available at:
Alley's General Store - West Tisbury
Bunch of Grapes - Vineyard Haven
Camp Meeting Museum - Wesleyan Grove, Oak Bluffs
Chilmark General Store - Chilmark
C'est La Vie - Oak Bluffs
Edgartown Books - Edgartown
Martha's Vineyard Hospital Gift Shop - Oak Bluffs
Martha's Vineyard Museum - Edgartown
Phillip's Hardware - Oak Bluffs
Polly Hill Arboretum - West Tisbury
Secret Garden - Oak Bluffs
(Kindle edition available on Amazon.com)
Find us on Facebook : thomasdresserwrites
Alley's General Store - West Tisbury
Bunch of Grapes - Vineyard Haven
Camp Meeting Museum - Wesleyan Grove, Oak Bluffs
Chilmark General Store - Chilmark
C'est La Vie - Oak Bluffs
Edgartown Books - Edgartown
Martha's Vineyard Hospital Gift Shop - Oak Bluffs
Martha's Vineyard Museum - Edgartown
Phillip's Hardware - Oak Bluffs
Polly Hill Arboretum - West Tisbury
Secret Garden - Oak Bluffs
(Kindle edition available on Amazon.com)
Find us on Facebook : thomasdresserwrites
Tom Dresser, enjoying his mid-life chassis.
Book Launch for Women of Martha's Vineyard was April 28, 2013. Nearly a dozen people shared good food and delightful conversation. The book is now off and running!
We enjoyed a great turn-out at the Vineyard Haven Library. Many people offered memorable comments.
Pre-Mother's Day book signings, in Edgartown and Vineyard Haven, went well. We continue to talk up the book.
We hit the Tisbury Senior Center on May 28, followed by a good turnout of twenty people in Oak Bluffs on June 4. Engaging conversation. High interest! And thirty-one people filled the Chilmark Library for my chat on June 12. More events continued through the summer months.
You may want to check out this fine interview by Connie Berry in the Vineyard Gazette on Friday, May 24! http://www.mvgazette.com/news/2013/05/22/praise-vineyard-women
Book Launch for Women of Martha's Vineyard was April 28, 2013. Nearly a dozen people shared good food and delightful conversation. The book is now off and running!
We enjoyed a great turn-out at the Vineyard Haven Library. Many people offered memorable comments.
Pre-Mother's Day book signings, in Edgartown and Vineyard Haven, went well. We continue to talk up the book.
We hit the Tisbury Senior Center on May 28, followed by a good turnout of twenty people in Oak Bluffs on June 4. Engaging conversation. High interest! And thirty-one people filled the Chilmark Library for my chat on June 12. More events continued through the summer months.
You may want to check out this fine interview by Connie Berry in the Vineyard Gazette on Friday, May 24! http://www.mvgazette.com/news/2013/05/22/praise-vineyard-women
Tom Dresser, hawking his wares, at the Tisbury Street Fair, July 8, 2013. Photo by Shelley Moore Christiansen.
