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In This Issue
Collections & Library News
Food for Thought Brownbags
Exhibition: Nantucket Presidential Papers
1800 House Classes
Sharing Our Stories Gam
Vacation Destination Days
Quick Links
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Hours & Information
NHA Whaling Museum
is currently closed for maintenance and will
reopen February 14.
 
February 14 - April 19
Whaling Museum:
Open Saturday & Sunday: 11 A.M. - 4 P.M.
Open President's Day, February 16, 11 A.M. - 4 P.M.
 
Historic Sites: Hadwen House, Oldest House, Old Mill, and the Old Gaol are closed for the season. The Quaker Meeting House is open for self-guided tours when the Research Library is open. 
 
 
NHA Research Library
7 Fair Street 
Open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday - Friday.
 
NHA Museum Shop
The shop is closed for the season; however, you may visit our new and improved Web site or place orders by calling 508-228-1894 ext. 5.
 
Featured items: 

mermaid rug

 "Girlfriends" Rug
This 2 x 3 ft. wool rug is a welcomed addition to any home.  The whimsical art work of Anne Robb is captured in this rug named "Girlfriend," $95.00. Click here to buy now from our Web site
 

'Sconset: A History, by Betsy Tyler, et. al.
A catalog of the 'Sconset 02564 exhibition, held summer 2008 at the Whaling Museum. $19.95. Click here to buy now from our Web site
The Sweetheart Deal
...Better than a heart-shaped box of chocolate.
whaling museum outside at night
Surprise your sweetheart with an event at the Whaling Museum..... Substantial discounts for events booked before February 14, 2009.
Many NHA properties are available for weddings, dinners, and parties. Celebrate life amid Nantucket treasures at the Nantucket Whaling Museum or one of our other properties. Surround your guests with elegant art and important objects that bring the story of Nantucket's past to life. Call Susan Beaumont for details at 508-228-1894, ext. 131 or visit our Web site for more information 
A gift that lasts a full year:

membership

Give an NHA Membership
Free admission to our sites, use of the Research Library, discount at the museum shop, the Historic Nantucket magazine, and more!  For a full list of our membership benefits, please click here. Join online or call 508-228-1894, ext. 116 (Beth) for additional membership information.
 
Or, make the gift of a lifetime 2009 with a tax-free charitable IRA. Click here for more information.
 Gifts That Give
giftsthatgivelogo
 
giftsthatgive.com is a Web site offering quality products for you to choose from, and 25% of your purchase will be donated back to the NHA on your behalf. Just select the NHA from the drop-down box at checkout.
 
NHA E-Newsletter  February 2009
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Collections & Library News
New Accession Spotlight
newhouseNancy Newhouse has donated the original oral-history tapes created during her research for her books We Are Nantucket: Oral Histories of Life on Nantucket Island, published by the Wellington Press in 2002 (available for purchase on our Museum Shop Web site) and Voices of the Village: An Oral History of 'Sconset, published by the 'Sconset Trust in 2004. These tapes feature interviews telling about the lives and experiences of 59 Nantucketers, including "Isky" Santos, Nina Murray, David Wood, Bill Sevrens, Charles Flanagan, Joe Lopes, and many others. The NHA is developing a plan for its oral history collections that includes digitization and improved access.
 
Historical Research Now Easier Online
historic nantucket coverDid you know that there are an increasing number of resources for researching Nantucket history available on our Web site? Visit the "Explore Nantucket History" section of the NHA Web site, and you'll find over 150 full-text articles from back issues of Historic Nantucket, the full text of Dr. Frances Karttunen's The Other Islanders, preservation tips, answers to frequently asked questions on Nantucket history, and path-finders for conducting research. Under the "Research Library" section, you will find the Barney Genealogical Record, a database of many Nantucketers; the full text of the booklet Guide to Historical Records and Genealogical Resources of Nantucket, Massachusetts, a guide to Nantucket records located in various repositories, including the Nantucket Historical Association, the Atheneum, local governmental offices, civic organizations, and churches; and Isabel Kaldenbach's "Inventory of Black Nantucketers." Researchers can also "search all our collections databases" with one search to get information from our photograph, manuscripts, cemetery inscription, artifacts, and other collections.
NHA'S Popular "Food for Thought" Brownbag Lunch Series

February 5: "A David Wood Gam." Led by Ben Simons, the NHA's Robyn & John Davis Chief Curator, this Gam will include the display and description of numerous objects from the collection of David Wood.
 
February 12: "Presence of the Past Gam." Longtime community members will share stories from their early years on Nantucket. Funny and interesting, this will provide wonderful insight into island life during a simpler time.

February 19: "New Guinea Gam." Island residents Bill and Ren�e Oliver will lead a gam focusing on the African Meeting House and the surrounding "New Guinea" community.
 
February 26: "The Unitarian Church at 200 Years." In honor of the Unitarian Church's 200th anniversary, the Reverend Jennifer Brooks will speak about the church and its history.

Each talk begins at noon and is free to the public. Bring your lunch. Due to repairs in the main Whaling Museum (13 Broad Street), talks may be held in the Peter Foulger Gallery and entrance will be through the administrative offices (15 Broad Street).  For additional information about the Food for Thought series, please call 508-228-1894, ext. 0; to view the full schedule, please visit the Web site.
Exhibition: Nantucket Presidential Papers:
From Washington to Franklin D. Roosevelt
Whitney Gallery at the Research Library
7 Fair Street

American presidents have been concerned in the affairs of Nantucket Island from the days of the nation's founding. The exhibition is made possible by the generous support of Susan R. and L. Dennis Shapiro.
 
Free and open during regular NHA Research Library hours.
 
Early-American Arts and Crafts at the 1800 House
Classes begin on May 26! 
valentine braunWe will be offering several new classes this year, in addition to many of our favorites.  If you have questions about a specific class, or want to inquire further about the full season, please call Betsey or Mary, 508-228-1894, ext. 128 or contact them by email. The full schedule will be available in a few weeks!
 
Gift certificates are available.
Sharing our Stories: From There to Here
One Book One Island Event
oboiSunday, February 8, 3:00 - 4:30 P.M.
Whaling Museum, 13 Broad Street
The audience is invited to participate as community members share stories about arriving in Nantucket from foreign places.
 
Part of the One Book One Island collaborative program series; visit the OBOI Web site for more information on this annual community reading project. Free.
 
Vacation Destination Days: Passport to History
Monday, February 23 and Tuesday, February 24
1-4 P.M.
Whaling Museum, 13 Broad Street
kidCome to the Whaling Museum and learn about the people who have called Nantucket home from the days of the Wampanoag and English settlers up to the present. The program is free for Nantucket elementary school-age children and their families (children must be accompanied by an adult).
 
Comments from last year's participants:
 
kid2"My sons and I have enjoyed ourselves very much... The projects set up for the children were great, and we went home with many 'souvenirs.' I was really impressed with the staff, who all took the time to talk to the children and teach them in words they would understand. Many thanks! We can't wait till next time."
 
"It was great! Very organized and entertaining for children and adults!"
 
kid 3"What a fantastic experience for the children of Nantucket. It couldn't have been organized better, and the staff was unbelievably knowledgeable and pleasant. Thank you!" 

"My kids couldn't fall asleep last night because they had such a great time here yesterday. The staff is so great!"
 
Vacation Destination Days are supported by a grant from the M. S. Worthington Foundation; the program is free for Nantucket elementary-age children and their families.
 
Wine Festival 2009
Special Announcement
We wanted to take this opportunity to let our friends and longtime supporters know that this year's tickets to the May 14 Wine Festival Gala are being sold exclusively by the Nantucket Wine Festival. To purchase Gala tickets or for other Wine Festival events, please visit the Nantucket Wine Festival Web site.
 
You may still purchase tickets to the May 16 Wine Auction Dinner, which benefits the NHA, directly from us. If you plan to attend the Wine Auction Dinner and would like to reserve your space early, please contact Stacey Stuart at 508-228-1894, ext. 130.