A Martha's Vineyard summer resident, Fran Forman, designed the flag in February 1977. Her flag was intended to represent both Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket but has become more symbolic of Martha’s Vineyard’s attempt to succeed from Massachusetts in the late 1970’s.

The flag is sturdy nylon with grommets and displays a blue background for the sea and sky, an orange-red sun for warmth, and a white seagull representing the wildlife of the island.