News and Events for Nantucket Island
I found myself, this spring, defending my summer reading list. Now, as an old white man, I am used to a certain sort of academic battle, and I have generally chosen the prudent retreat over the final climactic fight. The years of assigning Huckleberry Finn for summer reading, or John Steinbeck, or even Agatha Christie have gone with purple photocopies.
From 1920 to 1933, the 18th Amendment to our United States Constitution prohibited the manufacture, sale, transport, import, or export of alcoholic beverages: but the 18th Amendment and the Volstead Act never barred the consumption of alcohol.
We love to boast about the open space on our island. We are so fortunate for the early insight of those who began preserving land so long ago with the idea of conserving the island’s natural landscapes for the benefit of the whole community. With more than 50% of Nantucket’s land mass under some kind of conservation, there is so much natural beauty to explore. From rolling terrain of the Middle Moors, to the wetlands of Squam, the grasslands of the south shore, access to our beautiful coastline, and the natural wonder of our barrier beach system of Coatue; we have much to be thankful for.
“What I love about the camera is its ability to capture the beauty of light. When we free ourselves and accept its inherent technical inefficiencies, the camera lets us experience images that our deft eyes will not let us see. The camera gifts us with moments that makes one marvel […]
As we learned last week in Part 1: Island Children Running Rampant, during the mid-1800s, many Nantucket youth were participating in “wicked and lawless conduct.” We continue this week with what efforts were made to deter this behavior and to reform island children…
In the mid-1850s, there is an increase in calls in the newspapers for the town to crack down on the out-of-control youth:
Respoke is all about transformation: repurposing iconic scarves into gorgeous espadrilles, other footwear, hats, furniture, and now fine art! Within their newly refreshed space at 41 Straight Wharf, Respoke Co-Founder, Chris Bartick’s mixed media artwork incorporates remnant silk scarves from the Respoke shoe making process. The subject matter includes graceful whales’ tales and local iconography such as Great Point Lighthouse.
As far back as we can remember (and Yesterday’s Island goes back more than half a century), The Brotherhood of Thieves has been a local favorite. It first opened as a pub in 1972. Island residents and visitors have dined on burgers, fresh fish, curly fries, cheese plates, and beer in The Brotherhood spring, summer, and fall ever since, except for a pause during 2021, when we all feared this island landmark had closed for good.
The Nantucket Historical Association is welcoming visitors back to the Hadwen House at 96 Main Street. For the 2023 season, the historic property will feature several exhibitions, including one focused on Nantucket Lightship Baskets and exhibits highlighting the NHA’s decorative arts and map collections. Niles Parker, NHA’s Gosnell Executive Director says, “Hadwen House is becoming a great space for the NHA to explore more of the island’s important history in addition to the stories we tell at the Whaling Museum.”
This weekend the Artists Association of Nantucket is hosting two new exhibitions: a special juried art show in their Big Gallery downtown and their annual July Sidewalk Art Show in the Atheneum Garden. Friday, June 30, a new art exhibit opens in the Artists Association of Nantucket Big Gallery, upstairs […]
