Nantucket Historical Association Whaling Museum Weather Vane
The mission of the Nantucket Historical Association is to preserve and interpret the history of the Island of Nantucket. Perhaps the most visible manifestation of that are the historical properties that the Society owns and operates.
Whaling Museum
Perhaps the most famous of the Nantucket Historical Society’s properties is the Whaling Museum. The home of the Whaling Museum is a former candle factory that was built in 1846 towards the end of the whaling era. The building had several different owners and was used for different purposes over the years until it was purchased and converted into the Whaling Museum of the Nantucket Historical Society.
In 2005 the Whaling Museum was renovated and features a restored 1847 candle factory in addition to its other galleries. The most dramatic display item can be found hanging from the ceiling of Gosnell Hall. A full skeleton of a 46-foot bull Sperm Whale hanging overhead is a startling welcome to visitors as they enter the Hall. Other items on display include: whaling tools including harpoons, lances, and cutting-in tools, a fully-rigged whaleboat, the 1849 Fresnel Lens used in Sankaty Light, the restored workings of Nantucket’s 1881 town clock, images, scrimshaw, decorative arts and more.
The Whaling Museum is accredited by the American Association of Museums.
Whaling Museum Hours of Operation
Following are the hours of operation for the Nantucket Whaling Museum.
- February through April: Open Saturday and Sunday from 11 AM to 4 PM
- April through early-October: Open daily from 10 AM to 5 PM
- Early October to Late December: Thursday through Monday from 11 AM to 4PM
- Festival of trees (Late December): Thursday through Monday from 1 PM to 4PM
- Closed: January, Easter, and Thanksgiving
For the latest hours of operation see Whaling Museum Hours of Operation.
Whaling Museum Address
Whaling Museum
13 Broad Street
Nantucket, MA 02554
Phone: 508-228-1894, extension 0
Greater Light
Greater Light was originally a late 18th century barn used for livestock before sisters Gertrude and Hanna Monaghan transformed it into a summer home and art studio in the 1930s. The house illustrates a period in Nantucket’s history between the two World Wars when there was a thriving art colony on the island.
Greater Light Hours of Operation
Following are the hours of operation for Greater Light.
- Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day Weekend: Open daily from 11 AM to 4 PM
- Post Labor Day through Columbus Day Weekend: Thursday through Monday from 11 AM to 4PM
For the latest hours of operation see Greater Light Hours Hours of Operation.
Greater Light Address
Greater Light
8 Howard Street
Nantucket, MA 02554
Hadwen House
The Hadwen House was built in 1845 for whaling merchant and silver retailer William Hadwen. The house is a columned Greek Revival mansion with opulent furnishings. The house was donated to the Nantucket Historical Association in 1965 by Jean Satler Williams.
The Hadwen House is available for event rental.
Hadwen House Hours of Operation
Following are the hours of operation for the Hadwen House.
- Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day Weekend: Open daily from 11 AM to 4 PM
- Post Labor Day through Columbus Day Weekend: Thursday through Monday from 11 AM to 4PM
For the latest hours of operation see Hadwen House Hours Hours of Operation.
Hadwen House Address
Hadwen House
13 Broad Street
Nantucket, MA 02554
The Old Mill
The Old Mill was built by Nantucket sailor Nathan Nathan Wilbur in 1746. It is the oldest functioning mill in the United States. It was donated to the Nantucket Historical Association in 1897 by Miss Caroline French who purchased it at auction.
Old Mill Hours of Operation
Following are the hours of operation for the Old Mill.
- Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day Weekend: Open daily from 11 AM to 4 PM
- Post Labor Day through Columbus Day Weekend: Thursday through Monday from 11 AM to 4PM
For the latest hours of operation see Old Mill Hours Hours of Operation.
Oldest House & the Historic Garden
The Oldest House is also known as the Jethro Coffin House after Jethro Coffin who received the house as a gift upon his wedding to Mary Gardner in 1686. It is the only surviving structure of any kind from Nantucket’s original 17th century settlement. The house has had several owners over the years and was acquired by the Nantucket Historical Association in 1923.
The historic gardens at the house consist of a circa-1700 herb and vegetable kitchen garden added in 2006 and an old variety apple orchard added in 2007.
Oldest House Hours of Operation
Following are the hours of operation for the Oldest House.
- Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day Weekend: Open daily from 11 AM to 4 PM
- Post Labor Day through Columbus Day Weekend: Thursday through Monday from 11 AM to 4PM
For the latest hours of operation see Oldest House Hours Hours of Operation.
The Quaker Meeting House
Quaker Meetings on the Island of Nantucket date to 1701 when they were held in the home of Mary Coffin Starbuck. Over the years there mere numerous other quaker meeting houses on the Island. The Nantucket Historical Association’s Quaker Meeting House was built in 1838 at the Quaker (Friends) Meeting House that originally was used as a Friends School. The Association acquired the property in 1894 and it was their first museum.
The property is available for event rental.
Walking Tours
The Nantucket Historical Association also offers two walking tours:
- A Downtown Walking Tour that departs from the Whaling Museum lobby
- A Historic House Walking Tour that departs from the Hadwen House
Picture credits: The picture of the weather vane is from the Wikimedia Commons. It is Copyright by Christopher Peterson who has released it for use provided attribution is provided.
