Never look a gift horse in the mouth. A curious saying, right? Evidently it was semi-common back in once-upon-a-time land for one person to grace a friend or relative with a large, four-legged draft animal. The receiver of such a fine gift would be considered rude if they then examined the teeth of their newly acquired horse to determine the resale value of said beast. It’s good to have some context, right?
Exploring Nantucket
Don’t Call Them Widows’ Walks
As you walk through the streets of Nantucket you will see surrounding the chimneys of several houses seven- to eight-foot wooden platforms with wooden railings. These platforms are often called “widows’ walks”—a term which conjures up images of women in long skirts and bonnets gazing forlornly toward the harbor. You […]
Reviving a Beloved Island Landmark
Along the Washington Street side of the building at 16 Main (the current location of the island’s Ralph Lauren store) is one of downtown Nantucket’s most popular spots to be photographed: the Compass Rose Mural.
NHA Community Day
This Wednesday, August 6, from 9 am to 12 noon, the Nantucket Historical Association (NHA) is hosting a special Summer of Seams Community Day at Children’s Beach, when all ages can participate in a tradition of community connection that is part of the tapestry of life on Nantucket. The fun […]
If You Build It, Purple Martins Will Come
Purple Martins have arrived on Nantucket for the first time ever. After three years of conservation efforts to support breeding habitat for the species, they have finally “set up house” at the Linda Loring Nature Foundation, primarily due to the efforts of Libby Buck, Conservation Science and Land Steward with LLNF.
Family Activities & Night at the Museum
This summer, the Egan Maritime Institute’s Nantucket Shipwreck & Lifesaving Museum invites families to dive into interactive, hands-on activities that bring the island’s rich maritime and lifesaving history to life. Led by seasoned museum educators, these engaging programs are perfect for all ages. Additionally, our educators have designed a New […]
Water, Water, Everywhere, But…
Last week, Nantucket was placed under a Level 1 drought by the Massachusetts Drought Management Task Force, prompting mandatory restrictions on outdoor water use. Then, over last weekend, we learned that the town’s primary water pump suffered a mechanical failure, leaving the island’s water storage tank at “critically low” levels. The ensuing water use ban has included all non-essential water use, and applies only to properties connected to the municipal water system.
Building Castles and Dining on the Harvest
Nantucket oysters have earned their reputation as some of the best in the world—a claim backed by diners from New York to Europe who return to the island year after year. But what many oyster lovers don’t realize is that these briny delicacies are doing more than just delighting palates.