News and Events for Nantucket Island
Some are plain, beautiful in their simplicity and deeply colored by age. Others are elaborately constructed and adorned with carvings of ivory and ebony, scrimshaw, gold, and gems. They are round, oval, square, and even heart-shaped. Many are made to be totes and purses, with others designed as wine coasters, bread baskets, vases, mirror frames, ornaments, and even cradles.
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.”
For nearly two centuries, Nantucket Lightship Baskets have been a distinctive island craft. Lightship Baskets have a very particular style: they are woven with cane around molds and have solid wood bases and rattan staves. From the earliest simple but beautifully woven baskets made during the 1800s by crews on […]
Judi Hill has a fine eye for art and an excellent sense of Nantucket history and design. In the G.S. Hill Gallery at 40 Straight Wharf, along with the original paintings and giclees by her husband and partner Greg Hill, Judi also has a beautiful selection of Nantucket Lightship baskets: traditional and historically significant baskets as well as new designs created by basket makers weaving today.
by Catherine Macallister Just a few steps from the hustle and bustle of downtown is the Nantucket Lightship Basket Museum, home to a carefully curated collection of baskets that have become a part of Nantucket history. The rattan, woven baskets are iconic: gaining value and fame and a recognizable piece […]
by Jack Fritsch When you hear mention of Nantucket, you think of our amazing history, unique town, unspoiled beaches and island landscapes, and of course Nantucket Lightship Baskets. And when you think about Nantucket Baskets, you quickly think of Nap Plank… or you should… he is one of our finest […]
Blue eyes sparkling, with a mischievous grin, Paul Willer explained how he fell in love with Nantucket: “Oh, it was right away…I fell in love with the island as the boat was coming into the harbor…the next day, Peter said ‘Let’s go to the beach,’ and I said ‘No, let’s […]
by Sarah TeachThe Nantucket Lightship Basket Museum will host their annual Baskets & Bubbly Champagne Brunch& Auction this Sunday, July 22, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Great Harbor Yacht Club. Auctioneer Rafael Osona will host a live auction featuring fabulous lightship baskets and other luxury items. From […]
