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Hours & Information |
13 Broad Street
December 2, 11 A.M. - 8 P.M.
December 3 - December 19
Thurs. - Mon., 11 A.M. - 4 P.M.
December 26 - December 27
Monday & Tuesday 1 P.M. - 4 P.M.
(Closed November 28 - December 1, December 20 - 25, and
December 28 - 30)
Historic Sites
Closed for the season
(Reopen May 2012)
Research Library
7 Fair Street
Open year-round
Mon., Thu., Fri.,
10 A.M. - 4 P.M.,
Tues., 11 A.M. - 4 P.M.
Closed Wed., weekends,
and all holidays.
508-228-1655
Mon. - Fri., 9 A.M. - 5 P.M.
Mon. - Sat. 10 A.M. - 5 P.M.
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Meet the NHA Staff:
Stacey Stuart | |
If you've ever been to one of the NHA's special events - the August Antiques Show, the Festival of Wreaths, or the upcoming Festival of Trees, for example - you've been lucky enough to benefit from the hard work of the Nantucket Historical Association's Special Events Manager, Stacey Stuart.
Originally from Southern Pines, North Carolina - and with just a hint of an accent to prove it - Stacey first moved to Nantucket in 1978; in a sense, she was coming back to her roots, as she is a direct descendant of Tristram Coffin, one of the original settlers of Nantucket. Stacey first worked at the White Elephant for six years. She left the island to pursue other hospitality-oriented jobs, but returned for good in 1998. After spending a few more years at the White Elephant, she joined the NHA in her current role in 2002. Seven years into her tenure, she married Peter Greenhalgh, formerly of the NHA. In addition to her NHA duties, Stacey is on the board of the Nantucket Chamber of Commerce.
While you're out strolling this holiday season and enjoying all the beauty of the NHA Festival of Trees, give thanks for Stacey, who makes it happen. |
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2012 NHA Calendars
Now Available | |
The Nantucket Historical Association is pleased to present its 2012 calendar, showcasing items from the vast collection of treasures acquired by the Friends of the Nantucket Historical Association. With historic images, charts, and artwork, our 2012 calendar will mark the passage of time with reminders of the NHA's cherished acquisitions.
$7.95 (plus tax)
NHA members enjoy an additional 10% discount.
Purchase your calendar today. |
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Holidays at the
NHA Museum Shop | |
The NHA Museum Shop takes care of your gift-giving needs! With gifts ranging from our gateway film Nantucket to ivory jewelry to Nantucket-themed books to just about anything else you might want, the NHA Museum Shop has got it all. And you can do your shopping online, quickly and easily!
Visit the Museum Shop. |
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NHA Memberships
Make a Great Gift | |
Is it time to renew your own membership? Or perhaps there are a few people on your gift-giving list who would enjoy all that the Nantucket Historical Association has to offer?
Memberships are available at a variety of levels, starting at $55 for individuals and $85 for families.
Join, renew, or give a gift membership online. |
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Perfect Stocking Stuffer! |
Ric Burns's new film, Nantucket,
is now available for purchase at the NHA Museum Shop and at select retailers on the island. Purchase your copy today and share Nantucket's unique history with friends and loved ones.
DVDs are $19.95 (plus tax) |
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Reserve the NHA for Your Special Event! | |
The Nantucket Historical Association has a variety of properties and venues perfect for any gathering your family may wish to host, from birthday parties and rehearsal dinners to wedding ceremonies and receptions.
For more information, click here or call NHA Events Rental Coordinator Susan Beaumont at 508-228-1894, ext. 131. |
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Collaboration with
N Magazine | |
This winter, the NHA is proud to continue our collaboration with N Magazine, as both organizations focus on Nantucket history. Each issue of N includes an article by an NHA staff member relating to the activities at the NHA.
View the current issue at www.nantucketmagazine.net.
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Business Members
Please support the businesses that support the NHA.
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Your Gift Makes a Difference | |
Please support the Nantucket Historical Association with your donation to the Annual Fund by December 31, 2011.
Your year-end contribution to the Annual Fund will have an immediate impact on everything the NHA does - every program we offer, every visitor we inspire, every artifact we exhibit, and all twenty-two historic properties we maintain and interpret. The Annual Fund provides vital operating support that enables us to fulfill the NHA's mission of education and preservation of Nantucket's fabled history for our members, our supporters, and the Nantucket community.
We are grateful for your commitment to the NHA and hopeful that you will help us reach this year's goal of $280,000 by December 31. With the holidays approaching, consider making your gift in honor of a friend or family member. If you are age 70 ½ or older, consider taking advantage of recent legislation that permits you to make a tax-free gift from a traditional or Roth IRA directly to the NHA through the end of the year.
There are many ways to contribute:
- Use the online form
- Mail to The Annual Fund
Nantucket Historical Association
PO Box 1016
Nantucket, MA 02554 - Email giving@nha.org
- Call 508-228-1894, ext. 114
If you have already contributed to the Annual Fund, thank you so very much! |
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NHA Festival of Trees:
Happy Holidays from the
Nantucket Historical Association! |
 It's time once again to get in the holiday spirit with the NHA's annual Festival of Trees inside the Whaling Museum. The Festival of Trees opens to the public on Friday, December 2, from 11 AM to 8 PM, and will remain open Thursday - Monday, 11 AM to 4 PM until Monday, December 19, when the museum will close for the Christmas holiday.
The festival reopens on Monday, December 26, and Tuesday, December 27, from 1 to 4 PM, and again on Monday and Tuesday, January 2 and 3, from 1 to 4 PM. With approximately eighty trees decorated by local businesses, individuals, and nonprofit organizations, it's the perfect event to get us in a festive mood for the holiday season.
This year's Festival of Trees is supported by a slate of generous donations from local businesses, including our Lead Underwriter, Marine Home Center, as well as our sponsors: Cape Cod Five Cents Savings Bank, Trianon/Seaman Schepps, AtlanticEast Nantucket Real Estate, Cape Air/Nantucket Airlines, CMC Construction, Dujardin Design Associates, Hatch's Package Store, The Inquirer and Mirror, Jordan William Raveis Real Estate, Killen Real Estate, Madaket Marine, Nantucket Bookworks, Nantucket Pharmacy, Norton Preservation Trust, and The UPS Store. Thank you to all of our supporters!
Learn more about the Festival of Trees.
Festival of Trees
Whaling Museum, 13 Broad Street
Free for NHA members and children / $5 year-round Nantucket residents / $17 general admission
Call 508-228-1894, ext. 0 for more information. |
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Food for Thought Lecture Series:
Something for Everyone | |
 The NHA's popular Food for Thought Lecture Series features speakers and talent from Nantucket and surrounding areas. Representing residents, writers, artists, foundations, and businesses, this year's series connects to the theme of "Nantucket Visions: Past, Present, and Future." Audience members are invited to bring their lunch and enjoy an informative, entertaining lecture.
- December 8: Marianne Stanton, "The Future of News Delivery"
- December 15: Janet Schulte, "Envisioning the Nantucket Science Center"
There will be no Food for Thought lectures on Thursday, December 1, and Thursday, December 22.
Thanks to the generous underwriting of the M. S. Worthington Foundation, the Food for Thought Lecture Series is free for all attendees.
Read more about the Food for Thought Lecture Series.
Whaling Museum, 13 Broad Street
Thursdays 12:00 P.M. - 1:00 P.M.
Free admission
Call 508-228-1894, ext. 0 for more information. |
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December 2011 | Programs | |
Saturday, December 10, 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Family Drop-In Workshop:
Holiday Ornaments
Stroll through the forest of Christmas trees at the NHA and then stop into the Discovery Room, where you and your family can create a variety of one-of-a-kind holiday ornaments. Several options will be available, from photo frames with pinecone accents to whales in winter hats. What treasured family keepsa ke will you make?
All necessary materials will be provided; just bring your creativity.
Whaling Museum, 13 Broad Street
Saturday, December 10
1:00 - 4:00 PM
Free for NHA members or with Whaling Museum admission
Call 508-228-1894, ext. 0 for more information.
Saturday, December 17, 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Family Evening at the Museum:
Holiday Magic
A special e vening filled with the sights and sounds of the holidays. Gaze at the amazing assortment of decorated trees in the Whaling Museum, sing along to holiday carols, make tree ornaments, customized wrapping papers, and more.
From 7 - 8 PM, revel in the holiday magic as we dim the lights and create a true winter wonderland inside the Whaling Museum. Then raise a cup of cheer in the Discovery Room, where hot cocoa and other seasonal treats await you!
Whaling Museum, 13 Broad Street
Saturday, December 17
5:00 - 8:00 PM
Free for children and NHA members / $5 for nonmember adults
Call 508-228-1894, ext. 0 for more information. |
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NHA Whaling Museum:
One of 1,000 Places To See
Before You Die! |
The Nantucket Whaling Museum has been named to the prestigious list of 1,000 Places To See Before You Die, the #1 New York Times best-seller with over 3 million copies in print.
Have you been to the Whaling Museum lately?
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Join NHA Explorations
Newfoundland: October 1 - 11, 2012 |
The Nantucket Historical Association is pleased to offer a unique opportunity through our NHA Explorations program. Tour the magical regions of Newfoundland and Labrador off Canada's eastern coast for ten days in October 2012 on a voyage aboard the Clipper Adventurer with NHA hosts Bob and Nina Hellman.
- Visit a 16th-century Basque whaling station at Red Bay
- See the only authentic Viking site in the New World in L'Anse aux Meadows
- Experience the spectacular heritage and culture of Newfoundland
Rates start at $6995/person, double occupancy (airfare to and from St. John's, Newfoundland, is not included) + a $250 charitable donation to the Adventure Canada Discovery Fund.
Price includes:
- All meals on board
- Zodiac excursions, service charges, and port fees
- All entry and park fees and private guides
- 10% donation to the NHA
For more information or to register for this spectacular trip,
call Sheila O'Brien Egan at Swain's Travel, (508) 228-3201
or Nina Hellman, (508) 228-4677. |
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Notes From the Library
By Libby Oldham, NHA Research Associate |
The other day I received a package from Nancy, France, containing a little book and this accompanying message:
" A Madame Elisabeth Oldham:
Avec mes remerciements chaleureux pour son aide inestimable.
Très cordial hommage de l'auteur."
Translation:
"To Mrs. Elizabeth Oldham:
With my warm thanks for your inestimable assistance.
Very sincere respects of the author."
Back story :
In October 2009, I received an inquiry from Dr. Aymard (he is a practicing specialist in hematology and blood transfusion and a member of the French Society for the History of Medicine), asking for information about Dr. Karl Landsteiner, who in 1930 was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology and Medicine for his work on the identification of blood types and discovery of the Rh factor, which greatly enhanced the safety of blood transfusions. Dr. Aymard was writing a monograph on Landsteiner's career, knew he had a connection with Nantucket, and wished to fill in some gaps.
After research at the Registry of Deeds and Prospect Hill Cemetery, and through the good offices of longtime 'Sconseters Rob Benchley and his Uncle Bill Herbert, I was able to provide Dr. Aymard with the information he needed, and he has graciously acknowledged my assistance in his monograph.
From the early 1920s to the late 1930s, Dr. Landsteiner was a staff scientist at the Rockefeller Institute in New York, and for several years had been a summer resident of 'Sconset, at first renting a cottage and then, in 1933, building his own house on the north bluff (99 Baxter Road, since moved across the road and closer to Sankaty Light). He was reported to have been something of a recluse and a curmudgeon, placing his lawn sprinklers so they would drench anyone walking along the bluff path. According to Edward G. Stanley-Brown in an article in Historic Nantucket (Vol. 32, No. 4, April 1985), the children of the village called him "Professor Water Snozzle."
Dr. Landsteiner died in August 1943, his wife shortly thereafter, and their cremated remains are in Prospect Hill Cemetery, marked only by a modest stone giving their life dates.
Such are the rewards of working in the NHA's Research Library!
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