Our History

1694

After serving in a failed military expedition to Quebec, Jonathan Lambert, a carpenter, grows tired of the soldier’s life and buys land bordering Great James Pond from the Wampanoag tribe, where he settles with his family. The cove, and thus the inn, are named for him.

1790

A farmhouse is built in West Tisbury that will one day become the main part of Lambert’s Cove Inn. The property will be owned and farmed by Eliakim Norton and his descendants for the next 130+ years. Eventually, the Nortons will own nearly all of the land in the lower Lambert’s Cove area.

Close-up of small daisy-like flowers with white petals and yellow centers, set against a blurred green background with rain droplets and misty effects.
A wedding ceremony taking place outdoors surrounded by trees and greenery. The bride and groom are exchanging vows, with bridesmaids in red dresses on one side and groomsmen in black suits on the other.
A person with light-colored nails holding a pair of yellow sunglasses with circular dark lenses, sunglasses positioned close to the camera lens
A white two-story house with black shutters, surrounded by trees and greenery, with a front porch and steps leading to the entrance.
A market stall with a blue canopy and a red striped awning, displaying various baked goods on a table, with chairs around it and trees in the background.
A large crowd gathered outside a historic white hotel decorated with patriotic bunting for a parade or celebration. People are sitting and standing around a vintage convertible car parked on the street. The scene appears to be during a sunny day.

1930

Francis Foster sells his home in Edgartown, buys the Norton’s property in West Tisbury, and moves into the old farmhouse. A keen birder, Foster originally planned to give the land to the Audubon Society as a bird sanctuary, but that plan was eventually scrapped after it was realized that most of the birds on the property were neither particularly rare nor endangered.

1969

Following Foster’s death, the property is sold, with the farmhouse and seven acres being transformed into a bed and breakfast, welcoming guests to the land for the first time.

1980s

The very first wedding is held at Lambert’s Cove Inn, the first of hundreds to take place on the grounds over the ensuing years.

A wedding ceremony outdoor in a garden with guests seated facing the couple and officiant, lush green trees and bushes, and a pathway leading to the ceremony area.
Two people on a boat fishing in the ocean at sunset, one older man and one woman with a bun hairstyle, both wearing jackets.
Nighttime view of a residential house with a deck, surrounded by a stone wall, with a large tree in the foreground and a cloudy sky above.
A bride in a white wedding dress and veil holding a bouquet, standing next to a woman in a yellow suit, at an outdoor wedding reception at night with guests in the background.
A snow-covered scene featuring a stone wall in the foreground, leafless trees with snow on their branches, and a stone house with multiple windows in the background. There is also a white signpost on the right side of the scene.
Coastal landscape with white cliffs, sandy beach, and ocean under cloudy sky.

1990s

During his presidency, Bill Clinton is a frequent visitor to the Vineyard. During one such stay, he dines at Lambert’s Cove Inn.

2005

Former owners Scott Jones and Kell Hicklin buy the property and rebrand the business as Lambert’s Cove Inn, Farm & Restaurant. They lean in to the farm-to-table movement, sourcing much of their food from local farms.

2022

In December, Bridget & Galen Sampson arrive on the Vineyard and begin serving as innkeepers at Lambert Cove Inn. Galen runs the restaurant, while Bridget runs the front-of-house operations and begins cultivating flowers.

Close-up of the bow of a boat on the water, with a small aircraft model on its edge and a partly cloudy sky in the background.
A wedding ceremony taking place outdoors in front of a large house with a gabled roof. The bride and groom are standing together under a small umbrella with a crowd of guests surrounding them, all dressed formally. The garden is lush with colorful fl
A yellow vintage convertible car parked on the street in front of a white building with large windows and a tree providing shade.
Small storefront shop with wooden exterior, American flag, and signs advertising ice cream, toys, and local shop items. There are front windows showcasing various items inside.
A lighthouse on a grassy shoreline near a body of water, with trees and a distant building in the background.
Five people jumping off a wooden pier into the ocean on a clear day.

2023

The Inn’s decrepit tennis courts begin being transformed into a raised bed for cut flowers as part of Bridget Sampson’s ever-growing flower farming operations.

2026

Bridget & Galen Sampson sign an agreement to buy Lambert’s Cove Inn from the previous owners, enabling them to expand on the past few years of growth and success and cement their own vision for this historic, dearly loved property.

A stylized dark blue illustration of a mermaid holding a bouquet of flowers.