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HISTORIC AND INTEREST SITES.
Explore. Discover.
Trace your
passions back in time. Meander on cobblestoned streets.
Experience the past and 1800's architecture coming alive.
Embrace history within the Whaling Industry. View Nantucket
Island's most historic buildings: |
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Coffin School. "Coffin School
is an impressive example of Greek Revival-style architecture.
Refurbished in the 1980's, the former school house retains its
original details and now houses a spacious lecture/concert hall and
exhibition galleries. The Coffin School collection includes
early nineteenth-century portraits of prominent Nantucketers and
works illustrating the history of the school. Admiral Sir
Isaac Coffin's Lancasterian School was founded in 1827, at the
height of Nantucket's whaling era, by English Baronet Admiral Sir
Isaac Coffin, a descendant of Tristram Coffin, one of the Island's
original settlers."
http://www.eganmaritime.org/coffin.html
Hadwen House. 96 Main Street
Elegant 1845 Greek Revival House built by William Hadwen, a whaling
merchant. Learn how the whaling industry brought prosperity to
Nantucket Island. |
Old Mill.
50 Prospect Street The Old Mill
is the oldest American mill still in operation. Built
in 1746 it stands as a true landmark. Millers grind corn
through the season as the weather permits. |
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Jethro Coffin House "Oldest House"
16 Sunset Hill Nantucket's Oldest House. Since 1686.
Nantucket Island was once known for sheep raising in addition to
whaling. Here you will learn about the island's agricultural
history in the pastoral setting at the Oldest House on Nantucket
Island. Built in 1686. Regularly scheduled tours.
www.nha.org
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Fire Hose-Cart House. 8
Gardner Street.
After Nantucket Island's Great Fire of 1846 numerous buildings
containing hand-pumped hose-carts were placed throughout the the
town. This is the last structure to stand as a landmark of
heroism. Volunteer firefighters would respond quickly to any
fire.
The Quaker Meetinghouse.
"In 1701 Mary Coffin Starbuck
became interested in the faith of the Quakers after hearing
itinerant Quaker preacher John Richardson speak before a crowd of
Nantucketers...Situated now at 10 Pine
Street, that early Quaker meetings took place. In the years after
1708, the Nantucket Meeting outgrew a series of meetinghouses, the
largest being the Great Meeting House on the site of the Quaker
Burial Ground at the end of Main Street." www.nha.org
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Old Gaol. 15R Vestal Street.
Nantucket built its first jail in 1696 on Vestal
Street in response to its emerging status as an international
seaport, which brought with it an increase in the number of
transient visitorsBuilt in 1806. for over 125 years this
penal facility of massive oak timbers which held prisoners for
crimes of murder, drunkenness, and embezzlement.
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First Congregational Church.
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Egan Maritime Foundation.
Egan Maritime Foundation was
established in 1996 to advance the appreciation, documentation,
preservation and scholarly study of the art, history, literature,
architecture and traditions of Nantucket. All of which are shaped by
the maritime character of the people who live by the sea. |
Natural Science Museum. 4 Vestal
Street. 508.228.9198. Located in a
historic 19th century Hinchman House, the Natural Science Museum is
home to the island's most extensive display of local flora and
fauna. Visitors of all ages can explore exhibits on diverse topics
including island ecology, geology, birds, and marine life. Come for
a guided tour and enjoy popular hands-on activities including shell
and wildflower identification games and a touch table full of
natural treasures found on the island. Live snakes, turtles, and
freshwater fishes are also on display. Additionally, the museum
houses the biodiversity research arm of the Association, which
maintains the MMA's growing scientific collections. Guided tours of
the collections are available by reservation. |
Loines Observatory.
Milk Street 508-228-9273
Part of Maria Mitchell Association. Climb a ladder to
the eyepiece of a fine, old telescope and sample the sights of the
distant heavens. You'll also have the opportunity to see MMA's new
24" research telescope as well. Loines is open for public
viewing on a regular schedule year round, and for frequent special
astronomical events. Observing is weather dependent, so check the
skies or call ahead for astronomy nights:
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Maria Mitchell
Association.
4 Vestal Street.
508-228-9198. www.mmo.org Founded in
1902, MMA is dedicated to furthering science education, encouraging
women in science, and serving as a science resource for Nantucket.
The mission of the science and history-based education, preservation
and research institution is to
explore,
educate about and
enjoy Nantucket's land,
waters and the skies beyond. In fulfilling its mission, the
Maria Mitchell Association uses the unique natural environment of
Nantucket as a resource to encourage inquiring minds and builds upon
the scientific achievements of Maria Mitchell, a native of Nantucket
who is America’s first woman astronomer and first female
astronomy professor. She also discovered the Mitchell Comet.
2007 marks the 160th year anniversary since its' discovery. |
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Maria Mitchell Aquarium.
28 Washington Street 508-228-5387
Explore the Marine Life of Nantucket.
20 salt water tanks and 2 large touch tanks for curious hands.
Take the plunge into the waters of Nantucket Island.
Native Aquatic Exhibits.
Count the eyes of a scallop. Watch a whelk feeding on a
mollusk. See baby squid hatching.
Marine Ecology Field Trips.
Fun and educational adventures for the whole family. Hands-on
experience.
Year-Round Research Programs. Study the biodiversity of Nantucket's
harbors and surrounding waters, including the last healthy
population of Bay Scallops in the Northeast. |
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Vestal Street Observatory.
3 Vestal Street 508-228-9273
Part of Maria Mitchell Association. Astronomy has changed
since the days when Maria Mitchell swept the skies for comets, but
the Observatory at 3 Vestal Street is still a place of discovery.
Widely known for its program of supervised undergraduate research,
the Observatory hosts internships for young scientists investigating
topics of current interest in astronomy using both telescopes on the
site and the best radio and optical telescopes in the nation. |
Mitchell House. "Mitchell
House, birthplace of Maria Mitchell (1818-1889). Visitors to the
house catch a glimpse of 19th century Quaker life, and have the
opportunity to learn about diverse topics including historic
preservation, women's history, and Quakerism on Nantucket. The
Mitchell House also runs the popular History for Kids classes in the
summer months, along with classes for adults on history and
decorative arts." www.mmo.org |
Nantucket
Historical Association |
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1820 Garden.
"The Museum, housed in a building dated to 1821, is
surrounded by an “1820 Garden” which contains plants likely to have
been available on Nantucket at this time in history. Plantings
include a tanagram herb bed, antique roses, lavenders, high bush
blueberries and rue."
http://www.nantucketlightshipbasketmuseum.org/Garden.html |
1800 House.
www.nha.org
This building reflects subdued architectural style of early 19th
century Nantucket. A vast resource for people interested in
historic preservation and design. |
Whaling Museum.
13 Broad Street
508-228-1894 Begin your adventure just steps away
from the Century House. The location of the Nantucket Whaling
Museum couldn't be better. Learn about whale hunt, see whale
skeletons, a regged whaleboat, a collection of whaling tools, and
portraits of the whaling captains and their wives. Collections
include world-famous collection of scrimshaw, Nantucket lightship
baskets, 1850 Fresnel lens from the Sankaty Lighthouse, and the
restored 1881 town clock. |
NHA Research Library and Quaker Meeting House.
7 Fair Street
Constructed in 1838 this building presents the story of Quakerism as
a dominant social and economic force on Nantucket. The library
provides access to an extensive collection of manuscripts, maps,
books, and photos from four centuries of Nantucket history. |
| LIGHTHOUSES - NANTUCKET |
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Brant Point
Lighthouse. The original structure
was built in 1746. Brant Point Lighthouse is the
second oldest lighthouse built in America. Only a short walk
from Century House, Nantucket Town and Cliff Road. |
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Great Point Lighthouse.
Situated in the northern end of the island, overlooking miles of
splendid beaches. Rent a Jeep and drive down on the beach. |
| Sankaty Head Lighthouse.
Situated atop Sankaty Bluff on the East side of the island. |
Coast Guard
508-228-0389 |
