Historic Nantucket, April 1956, Vol. 4 No. 4

Historic Nantucket

STONE ALLEY, NANTUCKET From a lithograph by Ruth Haviland Sutton

APRIL, 1956

Published Quarterly by

NANTUCKET HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION NANTUCKET, MASS.

TABLE OF CONTENTS Factual Information

2

Editorial

3

The Nantucket Historic Districts Commission

6

The Winter Gam

14

Keziah Coffin Fanning's Diary

23

History Making Events

28

Membership Report

34

Officers

35

HISTORIC NANTUCKET Published quarterly and devoted to the preservation of Nantucket's antiquity, its famed heritage and its ilhistrious past as a whaling port.

VOLUME 4

APRIL 1956

No. 4

Historic Nantucket is published quarterly at Nantucket, Massachusetts, by the Nantucket Historical Association. It is sent free to all members of the Association.

Membership dues are — Annual-Active $2.00 ; Sustaining $10.00. Life—one payment $50.00.

Entered as Second Class Matter, July, 1953, at the Post Office, Nantucket, Massachusetts, under Act of August 24, 1912.

Copyright 1956 Nantucket Historical Association.

Communications pertaining to the Publication should be addressed to the Editor, Historic Nantucket, Nantucket Historical Association, Nantucket, Massachusetts.

2

Enclosed is my check to the order of the Association in the amount of ?

as my contribution to the special fund being raised to cover

the cost of essential structural and restoration work at the Whaling Museum.

(Note: Counsel advises such a gift is an allowable deduction for Federal Income Tax purposes.—N. H. A.)

3

EDITORIAL The Association's fiscal year ends May 31st, so it seems ap­ propriate to review briefly, as we did last year, the year's activities as compared with the eight standards of measurement it was suggested be applied to our activities.

"Mark Historic Sites" was the eighth named but this year takes first place for no more important action has been taken in many years than the acceptance by the town of the legislation creating the Historic Districts Commission of Nantucket reviewed in this issue. Not only did the Association take an active part in this work but we are happy to say that all five of the persons appointed by the Selectmen to the Historic Districts Commission are members of the Association. The marking of individual sites is still a project for the future.

"Monthly Social Activity" was carried out in part by the series of lectures held last summer, the Annual Meeting and the Winter Gam. "A Publication Program" is still limited to the quarterly issues of "Historic Nantucket". One bulletin was issued this year, the "Nantucket Whaling Museum", a reprint of an article from the July issue of "Historic Nantucket". There is certainly room for expansion of this interesting field and one which can be made profitable to the Association. "An Active Research Program" is still to be organized and would fit into a publication program.

"An active Historic Records and Museum Collecting Program" deserves the same comments.

"To Promote the Teaching of Local History in the Schools" is being continued with the two Association awards for the best essay written by a high school student and the best summary of local history by a vocational school student. Making the younger generation local history conscious and alive to the responsibility each succeeding generation inherits to respect and promote Nan­ tucket's greatest asset, its historical past, buildings, streets, and customs should be a must for the Association through a much wider program. That it can be done successfully was proven by the Girl Scouts as reported under "History Making Events" in this issue.

EDITORIAL

4

"Cooperate with Other Local Societies or Regional and State Projects" has been well followed up by our President through at­ tendance at the regular meetings of the Bay State Historical League and other special meetings. "Commemoration of Special Historical Events" has been started with preliminary steps for organizing for Nantucket's 300th anniversary in 1957 a big project in which every one can participate.

Again the question, what does all this add up to? The answer is the same as last year,—there is a great deal that should be done, not only for the benefit of the Association but by the mem­ bers of the Association for the benefit of the Town of Nantucket and its future. With the establishment of the Old and Historic Nantucket and Siasconset Districts, the incentive to do such work has been greatly increased but with a corresponding increase in the need of participation in such work by a large number of our year round and summer resident members numbering now over 1,000 persons.

The greatest danger to an Historical Association is the con­ centration of its activities in its directing Board or Council and officers. Not only is it impossible for them to develop and carry out alone such a broad program successfully but sooner or later the lack of member participation is bound to be felt through declining interest resulting in decreasing membership and income which leads to but one end, the "drying up" of what should be a live and dynamic force especially in a town such as Nantucket.

Let us all, therefore, as we approach the start of a new fiscal year, determine how each and every one of us can help to further our Association's program through active participation. The offi­ cers and members of the Council will welcome inquiries and suggestions from members as to how such a program of wide membership participation in Association activities may be de­ veloped.

6

The Nantucket Historic Districts Commission How an idea for historic preservation became a reality.

BY GEORGE W. JONES

For some few years it has been in the minds of a number of people who had found Nantucket a good place in which to live, that measures should be taken to preserve the old parts of the Town and Siasconset in their present attractive condition. Several times attempts were made to accomplish this by the introduction of zoning legislation and by-laws. Such attempts had been subject to opposition and had in all cases been unsuccessful.

In the fall of 1954 action instigated by the Nantucket Civic League and strongly backed by the Nantucket Historical Associa­ tion started what proved to be a successful attempt to regulate and control, to a major degree, any changes to be made in the structures which make up the older part of the Town and 'Sconset.

These two organizations were joined by seven other local groups consisting of Nantucket Rotary Club, American Legion, Nantucket Chamber of Commerce, Taxpayers Association, 'Sconset Improve­ ment Association, Fireman's Association, and the Real Estate Agents.

After a number of meetings attended by representatives from these organizations, conclusions were reached as to the method necessary for control and the composition of desirable legislation to obtain proper legal authority. A bill was submitted through the Selectmen to our legislative Representative, Mr. Barnes, who pro­ ceeded to enter and defend the bill in the Massachusetts House of Representatives. A well-attended public hearing was held at the State House by the Committee on Towns Legislation.

Subsequently Senator Stone, who represents the Island in the State Senate, took the bill in hand and guided it through the Senate and the various hearings including its submission under order for opinion of the Supreme Judicial Court on constitutionality. The bill then passed both houses after a favorable decision from the State Supreme Judicial Court as to its constitutionality had been rendered.

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HISTORIC NANTUCKET

It was then necessary that the Town accept this law at a Town Meeting. This was done, without dissent, at the Annual Town Meeting of 1956 and authority was thereby given for the formation of a Nantucket Historic Districts Commission of five members.

The Selectmen acted with dispatch on February 23, 1956, appoint­ ing the following five members of the first Commission to serve for the designated terms, Gladys Wood W. Ripley Nelson Norman P. Giffin H. Brooks Walker George W. Jones

one year two years three years four years five years

On March 8th the Commission met and organized, with W. Ripley Nelson elected Chairman and Miss Gladys Wood elected as Secretary.

Many requests for Certificates of Appropriateness have been received by the Commission during its first few meetings and a general feeling of cooperation and helpfulness seems to prevail.

Being one of the first two authorized bodies of this kind to be set up within the Commonwealth (the Beacon Hill Commission having been appointed just a few weeks previously) many problems have had to be solved and much thought given to proper procedure to obtain necessary information relative to new construction, altera­ tions, renovation (exterior) or razing, and the erection and display of signs, and the method of issuing certificates of appropriate­ ness which are evidence of the required approval. Many will be the problems to obtain the desired results but the Commission feels a great deal of satisfaction in the cooperation and well wishes of the residents and the much interested visitor.

As the idea of controlling the historic integrity of architecture within a sizable settled area is a comparatively new one, many papers throughout the country, as a result of an Associated Press release, have noted our action and commented thereon. The follow­ ing papers have printed very favorable editorials: "Boston Globe"; "New London Evening Day"; "New Bedford Standard Times"; "Buffalo Evening News"; "Providence Journal"; "Bangor Daily News"; "Greenwich Times", and "The Provincetown Advocate", and notice of the action taken has traveled as far as Honolulu from which place the Commission has received correspondence as to the provisions of the Act and its enforcement.

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HISTORIC NANTUCKET

The success of this movement is dependent both on the in­ telligent and understanding action of the Commission and the cooperation and help of the residents and visitors who are in­ terested in preserving those valuable assets, both material and sentimental, which we have been so fortunate as to inherit.

For the benefit of our many readers who are Nantucket prop­ erty owners and as a possible aid to all our members and others who may read of this legislation and who may give thought to its adaptability to similar preservation problems in other communities, we present herewith a copy of the act. Attention is called especially to Section 8, paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) in which the function and duty of the Commission is defined. It is important to remember that the Act, as pointed out by the Supreme Judicial Court of the Commonwealth in its opinion on constitutionality, does not apply to the use and occupancy of any structure unless a change in use involves the alteration of exterior features subject to public view from a public place.

Acts and Resolves of Massachusetts 1955 Chapter 601 AN ACT ESTABLISHING AN HISTORIC DISTRICTS COMMISSION FOR THE TOWN OF NANTUCKET AND DEFINING ITS POWERS AND DUTIES, AND ESTABLISHING HISTORIC DISTRICTS IN THE TOWN OF NANTUCKET. Be it enacted, etc., as folloivs:

SECTION 1. The purpose of this act is to promote the general welfare of the inhabitants of the town of Nantucket through the preservation and protection of historic buildings, places and dis­ tricts of historic interest; through the development of an appropri­ ate setting for these buildings, places and districts; and through the benefits resulting to the economy of Nantucket in developing and maintaining its vacation-travel industry through the promo­ tion of these historic associations.

SECTION 2. There is hereby established in the town of Nan­ tucket an Historic Districts Commission consisting of five unpaid members who shall be resident taxpayers of the town of Nantucket, to be appointed by the selectmen. The Historic Districts Commis­ sion shall have the powers and authority and perform all the duties as hereinafter enumerated and provided. The original appointment of the members of the Historic Districts Commission shall be.

HISTORIC DISTRICTS COMMISSION

10

one for one year, one for two years, one for three years, one for four years, and one for five years, from March first following the year of such appointment or until their successor is elected, and thereafter there shall be elected at the annual meeting in each year one member of such commission to serve for the term of five years. Vacancies occurring in the commission, other than by ex­ piration of term of office, shall be filled by appointment by the selectmen, but such appointment shall be only for the unexpired portion of the term of the member replaced.

SECTION 3. There is hereby established in the town of Nan­ tucket two districts to be known as (1) Old and Historic Nantucket District, and (2) Old and Historic Siasconset District.

The bounds of the Old and Historic Nantucket District are defined for the purpose of this act as follows:—Beginning at the junction of Union and Main streets running southerly and south­ easterly along Union street to York street; then southwesterly along York street to West York street; thence westerly along West York street to the junction of West York street and Prospect street; thence northwesterly along Prospect street to the junction of Prospect street, Milk street and Quaker road; thence crossing Milk street to Quaker road and thence northwesterly along Quaker road to its junction with Main street; thence easterly along Main street to Howard street; thence along Howard street northerly and easterly to Gardner street; thence northerly along Gardner street to its junction with North Liberty street; thence northwest­ erly and northerly along North Liberty street to its junction with Cliff road; thence southeasterly along Cliff road to its junction with Chester, Easton, and North Water streets; thence southeasterly along North Water street to its junction with Broad street; thence easterly along Broad street to Easy street; thence southerly along Easy street to Old North Wharf; thence easterly to include Old North Wharf; thence southerly to Main street, and thence on Main street to its junction on the south side with Union street, the point of beginning.

The bounds of the Old and Historic Siasconset District are de­ fined for the purpose of this act as follows:—Beginning at the junction of Main and Burnell streets easterly along Main street to Morey lane; thence southeasterly along Morey lane to its junc­ tion with Ocean avenue; thence northerly along Ocean avenue to the bridge crossing over South Gulley road; thence along the said bridge and roadway beyond to its junction with Broadway and Front street; thence northerly along Front street to its junction with Broadway; thence northwesterly along the roadway past Center street to its junction with Shell street; thence southerly along Shell street to New street; thence westerly along New street to its junction with School street; thence southwesterly along School street to Main street; thence westerly along Main street to its junction with Burnell street, the point of beginning.

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HISTORIC NANTUCKET

The boundary lines of both districts as generally defined by the several streets shall be the existing rear boundary lot line, as of the date of this act, of the lots bordering on the outside line of the streets named as boundaries or two hundred feet from the outside line of the streets named as boundaries, whichever is the lesser distance.

SECTION 4. No building or structure shall hereafter be erected, reconstructed, altered, or restored within the Old and Historic Nantucket District or the Old and Historic Siasconset District unless and until an application for a building permit shall have been approved as to exterior architectural features which are subject to public view from a public street, way or place. Evidence of such required approval shall be a certificate of appropriateness issued by the Historic Districts Commission.

SECTION 5. NO building or structure within the Old and His­ toric Nantucket District or the Old and Historic Siasconset Dis­ trict shall be razed without first obtaining a permit approved by the Historic Districts Commission, and said commission shall be empowered to refuse such a permit for any building or structure of such architectural or historic interest, the removal of which in the opinion of said commission would be detrimental to the public interest of the town of Nantucket or the village of Siasconset.

SECTION 6. The erection or display of an occupational or other sign exceeding two feet in length and six inches in width or the erection or display of more than one such sign, irrespective of size, on any lot, building or structure located within the Old and Historic Nantucket District or the Old and Historic Siasconset Dis­ trict must be approved in advance by the Historic Districts Com­ mission. Evidence of such approval shall be a certificate of appro­ priateness issued by the said commission.

SECTION 7. The Historic Districts Commission shall elect its chairman and secretary. The commission shall meet within ten days after notification by its secretary of the receipt of an applica­ tion for a certificate of appropriateness or permit for removal and at such other times as the commission may determine, or upon call of the chairman or of any two members. It shall keep a per­ manent record of its resolutions, transactions and determinations, and may make such rules and regulations consistent with this act, as may appear desirable and necessary. It may hold public or private hearings as it may deem advisable. It may incur expenses necessary to the carrying on of its work within the amount of its annual appropriation.

SECTION 8. (a) It shall be the function and the duty of the Historic Districts Commission to pass upon the appropriateness of exterior architectural features of buildings and structures here­ after to be erected, reconstructed, altered or restored in the Old and Historic Nantucket District and the Old and Historic Siascon-

HISTORIC DISTRICTS COMMISSION

12

set District wherever such exterior features are subject to public view from a public street or way. All plans, elevations and other information deemed necessary by the commission to determine the appropriateness of the exterior features to be passed upon shall be made available to the commission by the applicant. It shall also be the duty of the commission to pass upon the removal of any build­ ing within said districts as set forth in section five, and the erec­ tion or display of occupational or other signs as set forth under section six. (b) The Historic Districts Commission, in passing upon appropriateness of exterior architectural features in any case, shall keep in mind the purposes set forth in section one, and shall consider among other things the general design, arrangement, texture, material and color of the building or structure in question and the relation of such factors to similar features of buildings and structures in the immediate surroundings. (c) The Historic Districts Commission shall not consider de­ tailed designs, relative size of buildings in plan, interior arrange­ ment or building features not subject to public view. The commis­ sion shall not make any recommendations of requirements except for the purpose of preventing developments obviously incongruous to the historic aspects of the surroundings and the Old and Historic Districts. (d) In case of disapproval the commission shall state its reasons therefor in writing and it may make recommendations to the applicant with respect to appropriateness of design, arrange­ ment, texture, material, color, and the like, of the building or structure involved. (e) Upon approval of the plans the commission shall cause a certificate of appropriateness, dated and signed by the chairman, to be issued to the applicant or affixed to the plans. (/) If the Commission shall fail to take final action in any case within sixty days after receipt of any application for a cer­ tificate of appropriateness or a permit for removal, the case shall be deemed to be approved except where mutual agreement has been reached for an extension of the time limit.

SECTION 9. Any person who violates any of the provisions of this act shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction thereof shall be fined not less than ten dollars nor more than five hundred dollars, which shall be forfeited to the use of the town.

Each day that a violation continues to exist shall constitute a sep­ arate offence.

SECTION 10. Appeals may be taken to the board of selectmen by any person aggrieved by a ruling of the Historic Districts Com­ mission. The board of selectmen shall hear and act upon such

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HISTORIC NANTUCKET

appeals promptly and the decision of the board shall be as de­ termined by a majority vote of the members of the board.

SECTION 11. Any person or the Historic Districts Commission aggrieved by a decision of the board of selectmen, may appeal to the superior court sitting in equity for the county of Nantucket; provided, that such appeal is filed in said court within fifteen days after such decision is recorded. The court shall hear all pertinent evidence and determine the facts, and upon the facts so deter­ mined, annul such decision if found to exceed the authority of such board, or make such other decree as justice and equity may require. The foregoing remedy shall be exclusive, but the parties shall have all rights of appeal and exception as in other equity cases.

Costs shall not be allowed against the Historic Districts Com­ mission or the board of selectmen unless it shall appear to the court that the commission or the board in making the decision appealed from acted with gross negligence, in bad faith or with malice.

Costs shall not be allowed against the party appealing from the decision of the Historic Districts Commission or the board of selectmen unless it shall appear to the court that said appellant or appellants acted in bad faith or with malice in making the appeal to the court.

SECTION 12. The superior court shall have jurisdiction in equity to enforce the provisions of this act and the rulings issued thereunder and may restrain by injunction violations thereof.

SECTION 13. In case any section, paragraph or part of this act be for any reason declared invalid or held unconstitutional by any court of last resort, every other section, paragraph or part shall continue in full force and effect.

SECTION 14. This act shall take effect upon its acceptance by the voters of the town of Nantucket at an annual town meeting or any meeting duly called for the purpose.

Approved July 22, 1955

By Article 111 of the Town Warrant, dated February 14, 1956, the above act was unanimously accepted by the Voters.

Signed, Charles Clark Coffin, Town Clerk.

Town of Nantucket Seal

14

The Winter Gam An absentee reporter's report to the absentee members.

BY W. RIPLEY NELSON

At seven-thirty on Friday, February 17th at the Maria Mit­ chell Library, President Nancy S. Adams opened the Annual Win­ ter Gam saying-, "On behalf of the Nantucket Historical Associa­ tion, I welcome you all here this evening to our Fifth Gam, and we are going to turn the meeting over to Mr. George Jones who will be the chairman for the evening."

Mr. Jones thereupon took the chair making the following introductory comments. "Thank you. Not having conducted one of these Gams before, I am a little green at it, so please put up with any errors I may make. I have only one job—it is not to talk, but to get everybody else to talk, if I can. I want you to feel at home. Just pretend you are in your living room—I know it would be a little crowded in your living room if we were all there, but we want to be assured that you feel quite comfortable. My action here will be to get everybody else active. We are going to run it on a chronological order as much as we can. We are going to start at 1900 and I have picked subjects from each year which we will discuss, but if there are any other subjects that may be called to your mind for that year or for any year you have anything in mind of interest, we would like to hear from you about it. We will start in the year 1900, and I will sit down so I can be comfortable like the rest of you."

It is hard for the present day Nantucketer, especially the sum­ mer visitor, to visualize Nantucket as being threatened by a plague of prairie dogs but proof thereof is found in the following ques­ tions and answers.

Mr. Jones: "In 1900 during- April and May a man came down from the mainland under contract with the Town to exterminate thousands of prairie dogs which for several years had been devastating the moors.

The cost of extermination was $509.95. Does anybody recall anything about the prairie dogs ? Arthur, you ought to recall something."

Mr. Arthur McCleave: "Yes, I remember. They were out at the Kimball Farm. There were thousands of holes."

Mr. Jones: "Why did they bring them down in the first place?"

15

HISTORIC NANTUCKET Mr. McCleave: "Kimball brought them down."

Mrs. Jones: "Guess he thought they were nice looking pets."

Mr. McCleave: "Well, here we go-"

And so, under the able guidance of Mr. Jones, questions were asked and answers given, but far too numerous, as evidenced by the minutes taken of the Gam, to print in full. That which fol­ lows, therefore, is a condensation of the gam.

With the majority of homes now equipped with electric re­ frigerators, what did one do for ice 55 years ago? Here is the an­ swer: Mr. Jones: "In 1902, the first artificial ice manufacturing plant was started on the island—John Killen's plant, and I am sure miost of us remember it was at Straight Wharf. I can't remember when it was built, but I remember the manufacturing of ice when I was a youngster.

Up to that time, all the ice that had been used had been cut out of the ponds. Does anybody remember any ice cutting on the ponds?"

Mr. McCleave: "I am the only one here that can remember—I cut it myself. Snow had two big ice houses at Maxcy's Pond, Joe Folger had one at the Hummock and Holmes McCleave had one at the Hummock, too. Some years they didn't cut at all. They had to import it from Maine."

Mr. Jones: "How thick was it?"

Mr. McCleave: "About seven inches. They packed it in sawdust and in seaweed."

Mr. George Burgess: "I don't want to seem like an old man, but I cut ice myself."

Mr. Jones: "I can remember two ice houses."

Mrs. Adams: "I remember riding on the ice cart with the ice man."

Mr. Jones: "I remember Killen had a big covered ice truck and John Smith who lived up on Pine Street used to drive it. He always drove the horses back to the stable at noontime. Well, they were up on Pleasant Street one noontime, nobody around with the truck—and the horses took off, came down Pleasant Street, through Summer Street, through Mooers Lane, down Fair Street and Main—didn't hurt a thing though, but just threw the ice off on the streets."

Queried as to why he had skipped 1901 when the North At­ lantic Squadron visited Nantucket, Mr. Jones admitted the omis­ sion and added the following: "The North Atlantic Squadron visited Nantucket that summer. The battleships were moored in the chord of the bay and a large camp was

THE WINTER GAM

16

pitched on Great Point. The fleet was in command of Admiral Higginson. I have often heard Mr. Grimes tell about it and about visiting the Admiral. Mr. Grimes was a weather bureau reporter and when the fleet anchored in the Bay he asked to go aboard the flagship.

Mr. Grimes isn't a tall man, and the Admiral looked himi over and asked, 'Boy, are you a reporter?' and he answered 'Yes, I am'. After some con­ vincing the Admiral gave him the news of the fleet."

It might be added that nothing much has ever gotten by George Grimes if he really wanted to get it.

The origin of the ship and buildings which now constitute "The Skipper", so well patronized by summer visitors as an un­ usual eating place, was brought to light when Mr. Jones said: "There is one other thing I want to mention in 1901. The building which was erected in 1890 at the rear of the Lewis house on Milk Street was a printing office for The Inquirer and Mirror plant. It was taken down in sections and re-contructed on the south side of Steamboat Wharf, where it was used for flying horses, one or two sections then became a steam laundry, and in 1921 was purchased to become the galley for "The Skipper" in conjunction with the old two masted schooner Allen Gurney built in 1867 which made her last voyage into Nantucket harbor in 1920. It is still part of "The Skipper". It was used as a printing office about where the plumibing shop is now in back of Mr. Moynihan's store. Can you remember that, Arthur?"

Mr. McCleave: "I can remember that building as a boy. It had red shutters all around the sides of it. I never remembered it as a laundry though—it was closed when I was a youngster."

Talk about old fashioned winters inevitably crops up at any gam as it did at this one when it was said: "In 1905, Nantucket had the greatest snowfall in any 24 hours since the Weather Bureau was established. 21.4 inches of snow fell. A gale of 42 miles an hour from' the northeast drifted the snow to a depth of 30 feet in many places."

Mrs. Jones: "What month was that?"

Mr. Jones: "January 25, 1905."

Mr. Giffin: "That must have been the time Billie Stevens used to deliver milk to the second story at Dr. Cochran's house."

Mr. Jones: "That year they had a freeze-up that lasted from Feb­ ruary 2 to the 25th. Twenty-three days frozen in. We don't have that kind of weather any more."

Mr. Burgess: "Winter isn't over yet."

Mr. Jones: "If we have anything like that, I will be surprised."

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HISTORIC NANTUCKET

How prophetic these last two comments turned out to be when but four weeks later Nantucket shared with the entire eastern seaboard record breaking snow storms with winds up to 83 miles an hour bringing a high tide which flooded all parts of Brant Point and Mr. Jones, to his "Surprise", measured 44 inches of water in his cellar with the temperature well below freezing. Old fashioned winters are now a touchy subject.

How buildings were moved and changed as to use was em­ phasized in the history of Red Men's Hall, which also now houses Dreamland Theatre, when Mr. Jones read from the records: "In 1905 the Nantucket Hotel was sold at public auction. It was bought for $3,000. The central portion of the hotel was purchased by the Red Men in December and later moved to South Water Street to be used as a lodge room, dance hall and moving picture theatre. The build­ ing was built in 1829 by the Friends and stood on the south side of Main Street where meetings were held until 1851. The building then became the straw works and later was known as Atlantic Hall. In 1883 it was moved to Brant Point and remained a part of the Nantucket Hotel until purchased by the Red Men. I imagine a lot of you can remember when the Red Men's Hall was moved. I can remember seeing it go along side of my father's blacksmith ship."

Certainly it is a far cry of the imagination for a building to have changed from a Friends Meeting House in 1851 to a Dreamland Theatre in 1956.

Few may recall the installation of our present fire alarm system but not so with one family for according to George Jones' statement: "The first test of the electric fire alarm system was on May 14, 1907.

I guess everybody remembers that. When somebody pulled the alarm we had quite a time of it. I know the Jones family did. It presented kind of a bad problem. My father was fire warden and we"4iad a gong right in the kitchen and every time that fire alarm went off we came awake quite rapidly. Besides that we had to put up with the Baptist Church ibell—it rang loud, too."

Nantucket's famous railroad came back to life again with the following stories.

Mr. Jones: "We had the first motor car known as 'The Bug' in ser­ vice by the 'Nantucket Central Railroad Company' 1907. It was a gasoline run affair. It made the trip to 'Sconset in 19 minutes."

Mr. Giffin: "Isn't there a record of the yarn Marshall Barrett used to tell that when Charlie Vincent was the engineer they used to have a

THE WINTER GAM

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little 'tea' on the way to 'Sconset. Well, one day on the way out there, they were having some 'tea' and they were talking and Charlie said 'I thought I saw something out of the corner of my eye'. He had gone right by the station."

Mr. McCleave: "We used to go out on parties nights at 'Sconset, Walter Chase was the conductor then. The girls worked in hotels and had to be back at a certain time. Come twelve o'clock, the girls would say 'What time do we start?' and Walter would say, 'The walking is good, if you want to start, you can start.' " Mr. Jones: "I don't know who was engineer when one morning they started down to the boat and someone greased the rails. Got part way and had to back up and try four or five times before they got over the rise."

Mr. Giffin: "George, you remember hearing about the time Tom Galvin was having guests coming, so he told them to be sure to wire ahead for parlor car accommodations. Well, when they got here and took one look at the train, they never got aboard it."

Mr. Jones: "The roadbed was reconstructed and new track was laid on the Nantucket Railroad in June, 1909. The locomotive turned turtle on South Beach by the rails spreading on July 23."

Present day difficulties of the Town fathers with respect to public works are nothing new even though of a different na­ ture judging from the following: Mr. Jones: "The Hummock Pond Bridge was built in 1912. The Town appropriated $500 for the purpose. When the pond was opened the rush of water damaged the bridge so that it could not be used. The next year, 1913, the Town Meeting appropriated an additional $450 for the purpose. Three days after the bridge was rebuilt the pond was again opened and the bridge passed away to become only a $950 memory."

Mr. Giffin: "Then somebody wrote a song about it and had it in a minstrel show."

Mrs. Jones: "It was to the tune of the 'Erie Canal'."

Talk of school days brought forth memories of the schools at Polpis, Madaket and Tuckernuck, the last named discontinued about 1907, as well as the various town schools. Mrs. Rozelle Jones brought forth laughter when she said: "Speaking of West Grammar School, if anybody remembers Mary W. Valentine, she went to the West Grammar School. I remember hearing of how she was late one morning and hurrying to her seat she didn t shut the door. The school master said 'Are there any doors in your house?' 'Yes' she said, 'seven in the kitchen' and she kept right on going."

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HISTORIC NANTUCKET

That education was not confined to schools was brought out by comments about an Islander who used to give lectures in Boston to which Mr. McCleave added: "He used to wear a beaver hat and a long black coat. When he gave a lecture he always had a pitcher of water on the stand and he would pour out a drink for himself, but it wasn't water, it was gin. That's a fact."

Mr. Jones: "It kept his tongue loose."

Wrecks brought forth some interesting anecdotes when Mr. Jones asked if anyone remembered when the George P. Hudson was sunk. This was confirmed as being in 1914 and that the Alice Lawrence, one of the first six-masters, was wrecked the same year on Tuckernuck Shoals. Later on the review of the year 1918 brought forth the following comments: Mr. Jones: "There is one thing you must remember in 1918, the steamer Ruby, laden with supplies for France, was stranded at the west end of the Island, a short distance from the Madaket station. She was floated after about 1,900 barrels of oil were removed."

Mr. Giffin: "I can remember it very well. I went out with Irving Soverino and Mat Jaeckle one Saturday morning after he delivered milk, to where the Ruby landed on the beach. We stayed there the best part of the day and it got colder and colder, and when it came time to go home about sundown I was never so cold."

Mr. Jones: "The next day Nantucket had1 the worst cold wave in a century. On February 5th it went to 6.2 below zero."

Mr. McCleave: "I worked on the Ruby. The first thing the Captain said to me was 'I would like to have you look at the compass'. He was 90 miles off his course and on his way to France and couldn't understand it.

I don't think he wanted to go and I think he fixed the compass himself."

Mrs. King: "Was the oil coconut oil?"

Mr. McCleave: "No, it was lubricating oil—for guns but a very poor grade."

Mrs. King: "What was the name of the ship that brought in the coconut oil?"

To which someone answered "Her name was Gaelic Prince" which brought forth the following exchanges: Mr. Jones: "The steamer Gaelic Prince, laden with coconut oil, stranded outside of Great Point on March 31, 1921. The oil was pumped overboard, where it congealed on the surface of the water, then washed ashore on Nantucket. The Islanders harvested tons of coconut oil for

THE WINTER GAM

20

several weeks, with visions of rich rewards for their efforts, but the oil had little market value, although a cargo of over 300 tons was shipped to New York on the schooner Nantisco sailing April 25.

"Wasn't it for Colgate Company?" someone asked.

"Colgate wouldn't buy it, it was full of sand," was the answer. But Nantucketers being used to sand were not so particular according to one gammer who said. "We all had homemade coconut soap".

Not to be outdone Mr. Giffin put forth the reminder that— "The steamer Port Hunter sank at the same time off the Vineyard, and everyone had a Port Hunter jacket". (Leather jackets salvaged from the cargo.)'

No gam is complete without some reference to Killen's wharf and the way coal disappeared from it at night and this time Mr. McCleave started the ball rolling.

"Old man Perry ran the Killen Wharf and he had a foreman or kind of a foreman whose name was Sy B. Folger. When he went down to the wharf one morning Sy B. told Perry 'I saw so and so with a bag of coal last night'. Perry said 'What were you doing down there?' He didn't care how much they stole."

World War submarine visitations and The Inquirer and Mir­ ror world scoop on the Deutschland visit brought forth the fol­ lowing memories: Mr. Jones: "How many remember the submarine that came in here in the first war—it landed in Norfolk."

Mr. Burgess: "I remember it, but never saw it."

Mr. Jones: "She was a German submarine. They shipped over some manufactured goods to this country in 1916 and that was the one world scoop that The Inquirer and Mirror made. It was the only paper in the world to print the story of the coming of the Deutschland five months in advance. The issue of January 29, 1916, contained an exclusive story about the submarine that the city papers ridiculed at the time but praised when the submarine showed up off Norfolk, as predicted, on the 9th of July of that year."—"Where did they get the information from?"

"I always wondered about that."

Miss Harwood: "I wonder if Mr. Selden was over there then. He was always very friendly at that time with Mr. Turner and could have easily told him. He was stationed there permanently before he gave up reporting."

Other submarine visits unfriendly and friendly were re­ called by the following exchanges:

21

HISTORIC NANTUCKET

Mr. Jones: "There was a fishing fleet that was attacked by a German submarine on August 10 on Georges Bank and the survivors came ashore here. I remember themi being in a shanty down at Island Service Wharf the morning after they landed."

Mr. Andrews: "There was an American submarine that came here in the 2'0's, wasn't there?"

Mr. Jones: "I think there was." (Subsequently he confirmed the date as Oct. 21, 1919.)

Mr. McCleave: "I brought it in the dock. It was a small submarine."

Mr. Jones: "What was it doing here?"

Mr. McCleave: "Just looking for recruits."

Mr. Andrews: "Didn't one come in during the later part of World War I, just to show it could be done?"

Mr. McCleave: "That's the one I was talking about."

Mr. Andrews: "That was a pretty small one. I didn't realize it was that far back."

The advent of aircraft and automobiles, a turning point in Island life, prompted some interesting comments.

Mr. Jones: "On April 13, 1918, the first aircraft crossed Nantucket Sound making the trip from Chatham in twenty minutes. I think it was the same year that three landed on Brant Point."

Mrs. Adams: "On the 17th of April."

Mr. Jones: "Four planes came over on April 17th, but the fourth landed in shallow water near Coatue flats and was wrecked."

Mr. McCleave: "A fellow broke his nose."

Mr. Jones: "That's all that happened. They let the schools out to watch them land."

Mr. Burgess: "I know I was down there, but I don't know whether they let us out of school or not."

Mr. Jones: "On the same month, Governor MeCall signed a bill repealing the law excluding automobiles from Nantucket—April 24. On the 15th of May at a special election the voters of Nantucket accepted the repeal of the automobile exclusion law 336 to 296. The next day a sales­ man came to the Island with a Maxwell touring car which he sold to John Cowden. Didn't take him long to get on the job, did it?"

Mr. Burgess: "That was a sad day for Nantucket."

Mr. Jones: "Seven automobiles were brought to Nantucket on one boat on May 18. This made a total of eleven on the Island after the law was repealed. Now there are that many around one street."

THE WINTER GAM

22

The transition from oil lamps to electric lights was a slow process with only part time service at the beginning as pointed out by the following: Mr. Jones: "Here is an interesting item. Day and night electric service during the summer months started June 14, 1920. They didn't have any electricity after midnight until after that."

Mrs. Jones: "Most of us can remember when we had dancing we had to pay Mr. Royal a little extra to keep the machine running an hour or so."

Mr. Giffin: "When I was a kid, they used to have street lighting ex­ cept when the moon was full, then there were no street lights."—"If they did that nowadays it would save a lot of money."

Mr. Jones: "Don't speak too loud. We have a representative in the house."

Taxes is a subject which most people do not like to think about but Mr. Jones proved that there is always an exception to every rule when he said— "Here is something that doesn't happen very often. Mrs. Mary M. Gardner, Nantucket's first woman tax collector, collected every cent of the 1924 assessment. I don't believe that has happened before or since."

To which was added—"That is Grace Brown Gardiner's mother."

Stories far too numerous to tell included the use of pink wrapping paper by The Inquirer and Mirror due to war time paper shortage; the burning of the livery stable on Steamboat Wharf; the sinking of the catboat Mildred; the Nantucketer who was said to be so mean he swallowed his tobacco juice; the start of the Nantucket Cottage Hospital; the Point Breeze Hotel fire with the rescue of many "ladies' corsets" and many other amusing and en­ tertaining anecdotes which provided an enjoyable evening for over fifty persons who attended. For George W. Jones, officiating as chairman, it proved that anyone acting in that capacity has got to do more than a bit of talking to plant the germ in the mouths of others but adjournment found all in agreement that he had proven to be an able Master of Ceremony.

23

Keziah Coffin Farming's Diary

BY NANCY S. ADAMS

(Continued)

1784 Jan. 27—Geo. Pinkham (Bill's son) & Dabby Coffin (Timo's daughter) married this eve.

Jan. 29—Obadiah Wood (a Jersey man) & Matty Tupper were married by Rev. B. Shaw. Mr. Wood came here first of November from L. Island, has courted and married since then.

Feb. 10—Peggy Coffin (Joshua's daughter) was buried this after­ noon, died yesterday, was well on Friday, Saturday was taken ill. Doctor attempted to bleed her but she would not bleed, they said the blood was so thick & rich, was the reason of it. She was extremely fat.

Feb. 24—Juda Maxcy had a daughter born last night.

Feb. 27—Charles Folger, Sen'r. died this morn.

March 6—Peggy Graves had a daughter born to-day.

March 15—P. F. gone to Dartmouth with Obed Hussey .

March 16—Robert Meader & Lot Cottle are in loaded with oil from W.I. April 1—Cotton Gelston & Anna Folger married.

April 12—James Coffin, Sen'r. Register of Deeds died yesterday.

April 14—Thomas Gardner, Sen. died.

April 18—John Hall's wife died last night.

Note: (Ducks, Bluebills, Teal, Old Wife, Whistler, Coots, Shel­ drake. ) May 2—Wm. More's wife died 1 o'clock morn, brought to bed last Friday.

May 9—Mrs. Sampson had a son born 3 weeks ago last eve.

May 21—I. Burnell sailed for whaling early last Fall, was ex­ pected back in October. There has never been a word from him since he sailed till now, it was generally thought he was lost he went into .. . and there drew a bill on England & fitted out for

KEZIAH COFFIN FANNING'S DIARY

24

the Brazels awhaling. Francis Macy, Jr. has arrived from Eng­ land & bringing above news.

June 3—P. F. went up to Quaise at 2 o'clock and on the Great Point to see about setting the light house.

June 9—Mrs. Fanning had a daughter born A.M. (Child named Caroline Barclay Fanning, later changed her name to Caroline Matilda. She married Jara Bourn Wood and became the Great Grandmother of Miss Margaret Wood, who copied this diary for the Nantucket Historical Asso.)

July 20—McFarlan arr'd, bound to Boston last Feb. from Anna­ polis, was blown olf to W. Indies, went from there to No. & So. Carolina, thence to Vineyard & Nantucket. Much disappointed at not seeing family. (Mrs. mcFarlan left Nantucket for her former home June 8, having given up her husband for lost and expended all her money.)

Aug. 21—Stephen Hussey & E. Allen are building light house & dwelling house on the point.

Aug. 26—Wm. Swain & family lately arrived from Saratoga, have been gone for ten years.

Sept. 22—Elizabeth Starbuck had a daughter born. Dr. Bartlett officiated.

Oct. 20—Barclay Fanning & Miss Caroline W. Ohrn married by Mr. Shaw.

Oct. 27—Dr. Tupper & son sailed for Kennebeck.

Oct. 29—Christopher Swain died to-day in his hut at Squam. He had for a number of years led a hermit's life, the most of a Heathern of any amongst us—ragged, dirty he was. This morning some Squaws went into his habitation and found him dead on the floor.

Buried in Polpis burying ground.

Nov. 8—Dr. Bartlett's wife had a daughter born last night.

Jan. 28—Blyn came up Quaise with 2 loads of wood.

1785 Feb. 21— P.F., myself, child & Harriet sot out for the Great Point to see the light house, we were 3 hours going on. Paul Pinkham & family there to take care of the light. We went to his home (there being no other house there). They have a very good house.

25

HISTORIC NANTUCKET

Feb. 28—Spent aft. & Eve at Doctor Bartlett's—he played on the organ, piano and guitar.

March 16—Went to Mr. Shaw's to hear the Psalm Singers sing, there was as many as 40.

March 21—Matthew Barnard, Jr. died this aft. Poor man, he has lived but a short time to enjoy his new habitation.

May 5—Beriah Fitch died to-day.

June 13—Port Roseway is rapidly building up and Gov. Fanning is at Halifax.

June 26—Philip Coffin & Hannah Wharton married.

June 30—Ship William Henry sailed to-day for London, in whom went Wm. Rotch & his son Benjamin. John Locks & wife & daugh­ ter and a woman preacher.

July 2—Zac Bunker got in to-day with 50 bbls. Griffin has been with him.

July 7—Mr. Fanning came from Port Roseway in an open boat (to the Vineyard) He saw Col. Edmund Fanning at Halifax who does not advise him to go east.

July 17—Mama at Mr. Beans July 2,8—Lieut. Golding formerly of Col. Fannings' Reg't had Capt. Barclay Fanning arrested for a debt of 200 guineas which he says Fanning owes him. He is in danger of going to Barnstable goal.

Sept. 3—Geo. Gardner, Esq. one of the justices of our inferior Court, departed this life to-day, his death was by a blow on the head. Yesterday he went down the wharf & went onboard a ves­ sel & soon upon it something fell from the mast ' struck his head, he was without reason since it happened. Esq. Gardner was bur­ ied Sept. 4th. vast number of people attended.

Sept. 12—Jonathan Barnard died this P.M. sick sometime.

Sept. 30—John Bunker & Betsey Gelston married last night.

Oct. 7—Hezekiah Starbuck & family ' his mother, Henry Macy & family & a number of others sailed for No. Carolina to settle at a place called New Garden.

KEZIAH COFFIN FANNING'S DIARY

26

Oct. 9—Alexander Coffin & family, Josiah Coffin ' family, Jo. Barnard ' Jerrid Coffin & family & a number of others sailed for Hudson. N.Y. to settle.

Oct. 20—Eve: P.F., Griffin & I went to I. Meaders to husk, all Polpis was there as many as 40 persons—they finished husking by 9, 'Tis judged they husked 100 Bush corn, they sang and danced till 12 & then all came away.

Dec. 9—Thomas Delano's Jr. oldest child died to-day with hooping cough, aged sy2 yrs.

Dec. 13—Juda Maxcy had fine son about noon.

1786 Jan. 8—Sally Swain, Pattiah Swain's wife (Zac Wires dau) died very suddenly last night some weeks ago she had 2 fits. She was poorly 2 or 3 days before she died-she was taken in a fit last night & died tis thought it was an appoplactic fit, she left one child 2 years old, and one 4 mos.

Jan. 28—Aunt Abagail Coffin came here on foot the first time she has walked Wesco since she broke her leg, which was July be­ fore last.

Feb. 10—P.F. administered on Mary Carr's estate.

Feb. 18—Dinah Chase, Stephen's wife died this afternoon.

Mar. 24—Cos. Daniel Coffin came to the island last week after 18 months absence. Seth Arnold came to the island last night.

Latham Gardner's wife had a son born last night.

Mar. 30—Paul Gardner Jr. & Sarah Mitchell married to-day in meeting.

April 19—Mother is bound to Halifax with Seth Perry to try to recover her property that was lost in the time of the war as there is an Act of Parliament that all persons that suffered by being friends to Government should have their losses made up if they laid in their claim to commissions appointed at Halifax at or before the 1st of May ensuing.

April 27—Dr. Swift came to-day from Virginia, been gone 19 months.

May 14—Daniel Starbuck sailed to-day for Halifax with him Lucretia Starbuck & children.

27

HISTORIC NANTUCKET

May 18—Obed Starbuck died this p.m. Mrs. Coffin arrived at Halifax May 5th too late.

May 23—A whale killed to-day. Westward, bro't on shore.

June 1—Mother thinks of going to England. june 7—Timothy Folger & family, Peter Macy's wife & child sailed for Halifax.

July 14—Jas. Coffin son Zaccheus was taken with the Bloody Flux night before last, died before dark yesterday, very sudden.

July 17—Rhoda Folger (Tristram's wife) had a daughter born this morn.

Aug. 5—Robert Meader arr'd from West Indies loaded with oil.

Aug. 12—Mrs. Fanning had a son born early A.M.. Dr. Bartlett attended. Note: Capt. Thomas Fanning born on this day, Died single in Charleston. S. C. July 28, 1835.

Sept. 1—Nathaniel Fanning, son of Uncle Gilbert of Stonington was here to-day.

Sept. 6—Obed Hussey, Jr's. wife buried to-day. Mama going to spend the winter in Halifax.

Oct. 8—Peter Coffin's house at Tuckernuck took fire by heating their oven this a.m. ' was utterly consumed as was their barn, grain etc. they only saved 2 or 3 beds and a few chairs, subscrip­ tions will be put on foot on the morrow for their relief.

Oct. 25—Abraham Pease died this a.m. short illness.

Nov. 17—Fire at noon; David Joy's roof, soon extinguished.

Nov. 30—Josiah Barker, Jr. & Elizabeth Folger, dau. of William, married to-day in meeting.

Dec. 5—Wind extreme, tide as high as ever known, moved very fast all day.

Dec. 6— Tremendous storm. It is said that it will take two Brazil voyages to make up the loss the island has sustained in stock and shipping. A vast deal of snow has fallen, Vast ship wrecks among the vessels at the wharfs, the wharfs swept of everything, tis said 150 cords of wood carried off the wharfs.

Dec. 29—Barclay Fanning's wife had a daughter born.

28

History Making Events "Americana" is the theme of the 1955-1956 Girl Scout year.

In recognition thereof the Nantucket Girl Scouts presented an exhibition and entertainment at Bennett Hall on March 17th which primarily emphasized the history and customs of Nantucket.

Of the many exhibits one was chosen as typical of the Island.

This exhibit is to be represented at the Senior Girl Scout Roundup, June 29-July 11 at Pontiac, Michigan, and one piece of the exhibit with its history is to be sent to the Roundup. The representation of Nantucket will be deposited in the Juliette Low Foundation at Savannah, Ga., as a permanent fixture.

The exhibit of first year Brownie Troop No. 5 was chosen by the judges as best representing Nantucket. This exhibit presented the ancient art of candle making. Twenty-seven Brownies made an exhaustive study of the subject which included instruction by Mr. Lincoln Lewis, an active candle maker, who gave his time to dem­ onstrate in his shop the process he uses in making fragrant candles.

Accenting the exhibit were old whale oil lamps and candle holders and even a small bottle of whale oil used in making candles as well as for burning in the old lamps. A kettle with the raw bayberries, the wax after it is strained and a finished bayberry candle were shown.

Braided rugs made by one troop showed work beautifully done as has been the custom for many years on the Island. This troop made a census of the braided rugs on the Island, finding one made in 1820 considered to be the oldest.

Another original and interesting exhibit was a series of shoe boxes into which one looked to see cut-out scenes depicting places and customs of old Nantucket. The Mariner exhibit showed charts, drawings of ships and signal flags, and fish nets made by t e Mariners. Patch work art, practiced for so many years, was not overlooked for another troop exhibited a large patch wor qui for grownups and a tiny one for a doll's bed. Glass etchings o whales caught off Nantucket were made and shown by^ anot er troop. Each was described on a card under the glass etching, eac girl having a different whale for an assignment. Lack of space prevents mention of the many other excellent exhibits.

Another delightful part of the program was a series of stage

29

HISTORIC NANTUCKET

presentations mainly depicting the history of Nantucket with costumes representative of the Town's style of the past. Each presentation was announced by a Scout attired in the costume of the ancient "Town Crier". To attract attention the Town Crier's bell was rung with great gusto before each announcement.

The Girl Scout Movement started on Nantucket in 1916-17 with 12 Scouts registered. Today there are 137 Girl Scouts and 44 adult leaders and Council members making a total of 181 in the Girl Scouts today. To the Leaders, the Scouts, and the Brownies we extend our congratulations to their presentation of the his­ torical past and for establishing a most worthwhile and new chap­ ter in the history of Nantucket through this presentation by the young people of our town. It represents a great forward step towards preparing the younger generation to carry on in the future the work of our Association which means so much to Nantucket's present and future economy.

The Bay State Historical League held its winter meeting January 28th at Brookline and our President Mrs. Nancy S. Adams attended as a Director at Large and as our Representative. It was marked by an innovation when a morning session was held as a "workshop" with the subject for discussion being "How can we help the historical society to develop its place in the local com­ munity?"

There were a number of panelists with selected topics with questions and answers following the presentations. The "Work­ shop" proved thought-provoking and challenging, so a brief sum­ mary seems in order.

Mr. Sidney Stewart of Needham presented the idea that a society should do more than just collecting antiques and studying genealogy. We are living in history and should think of the present, not allow the obvious to pass us but to think of history in the future. School classes in local history, advertising, and good public relations with business houses are important. But above all make the society a continuous benefit to the town and its citizens.

Mrs. Ogden, President of the Wenham Society, stressed the value of special exhibits, and the advantages of students and young people helping in the work of societies. Traveling exhibits changed every two weeks in schools and exhibits loaned to banks are edu­ cational and create public interest. Too many donations with

HISTORY MAKING EVENTS

30

insufficient space to house them was discussed by Mr. Norton of Edgartown.

Mrs. Dutch of Winthrop stressed the social life of a society in which the townspeople and officials participate as speakers and hosts with emphasis on the young people of the town participating.

In Weymouth it is thought new people in the Community are the most interested persons. The greatest danger to a society is in concentration of everything in the Board which can be overcome only by spreading the work among members.

Mr. David Brickman, Editor and Publisher of the Maiden News, emphasized the need for publicity in local papers. Aggres­ sive publicity as well as amusing and "homey" stories are essen­ tial. The preparation of copy, form of presentation, stories of timely interest, proper use but no waste of space were a few of the points he emphasized.

The business meeting was held in the afternoon with 266 persons from 68 societies responding to the roll call. Truly this was a representative gathering. Three new societies were welcomed to the League: Stoughton, Winchendon, and Hyannis.

Our President, Mrs. Adams, was an invited guest at the lunch­ eon given at New Bedford's Jolly Whaler on March 2nd by film producer John Huston who had just flown in from Paris bringing with him the final films of Herman Melville's "Moby Dick" which is to have its world premiere at three theaters in New Bedford about the first of July. Some twenty persons who represented the Whaling industry and Old New Bedford were Mr. Huston's guests, prominent among them being Mrs. Henry Metcalf, granddaughter of Herman Melville, and her husband.

Mr. Huston told of the filming of the story, one of America's great works of fiction, explaining that New Bedford of today was far too modern now to look like the home port of the old days from which the "Pequod", the whaling vessel under the command of Captain Ahab, sailed half way around the world in chase of the white whale, Moby Dick. For this reason a little town called Yougal] on the coast of Ireland was chosen as the nearest like the old Massachusetts town. Its citizens, according to Mr. Huston, were happy to have their town made into a little New Bedford and ex­ pect to keep it as made over. With New Bedford as the home port in the story it is most fitting that the world premiere of the film

31

HISTORIC NANTUCKET

should be held there, which it is reported will be the occasion of quite a celebration.

On Friday morning, March 22nd, the Association opened its museum on Fair Street to several faculty members and the fortyfive students of the Buxton School from Williamstown, Massachu­ setts, who were on their annual pilgrimage to Nantucket.

They had come to see Nantucket, to play two basketball games with the High School seniors in the new High School, and to present Thornton Wilder's subtle comedy, "The Skin of Our Teeth", to students and townspeople. This presentation they did with understanding and fine skill, a credit to their school, their coaches, and themselves as producers and actors although, within three or four days, the Buxton visitors had met changes and disappoint­ ments in their own plans. Although they had taken their Nan­ tucket audience with them living through countless centuries of mankind's slow climbing, at time surviving only by "the skin of their teeth", yet moving forward with unbeatable courage hopeful of the foundations already tried and trusted, yet on the foggy morning of March 22nd, they turned enthusiastic attention for over an hour to the Historical Museum's exhibits of the accom­ plishments of mankind in Nantucket.

The Walter Folger Clock, portraits, the Indian corner, the button shelf, pepper pots and aged dolls, old photographs of im­ portant Nantucket events on screens and in books, from base­ ment to genealogical library, and the Quaker Meeting House, brought forth many exclamations of wonder and admiration.

Later a gracious letter from a student, representing the School, thanked the Historical Association "for making our trip more enjoyable by spreading the past of Nantucket before our eyes. The visible past awakens the imagination to the sights of the last century when whalers strutted across the same cobble stone streets that we noisely clattered over on our bicycles. To us Nan­ tucket seems a demi-Paradise mainly because of its unspoiled antiquity which, by your generosity, was made clear to us."

At the Annual Town Meeting, held February 14th, an article initiated by the officers of the Association, was approved to raise and appropriate the sum of $150 to which a like amount would be added by the Association to install a master fire alarm box

HISTORY MAKING EVENTS

32

directly adjacent to the Whaling Museum, so as to connect the Museum sprinkler system alarms directly to the town fire alarm system. The Council, at its meeting of February 21st, voted in favor of this installation, which for various reasons, could not be installed at the time our sprinkler system was installed.

This new alarm system, which replaces the present storage battery private alarm to Fire Headquarters, will result in a further reduction in our insurance premiums. But what is more important it will insure added protection to the Museum and its collections against fire and water damage by reducing to a minimum the possibility of alarm system failure.

Two members who in the past served the Association loyally and faithfully have been lost through death. When the "Arch­ ives" was first established Mr. Albert Moody Tucker gave many hours of volunteer time to classification, listing, and arranging of portraits, pictures, and books. News of his death is a reminder of how indebted the Association was to him for the work he so willingly and ably performed.

In the death of Edward P. Tice we have not only lost a member of many years standing but one who served faithfully as a member of our Council from 1944 to 1948 and also as a mem­ ber of the Whaling Museum Committee.

A special meeting of the members of the Association, was held in the parish house of St. Paul's Church, on April 10th, notice of the meeting having been previously published in the local papers as provided for in the by-laws.

The purpose of the meeting was to act upon a recommenda­ tion of the Council that the Association grant to the town of Nantucket an easement on a small part of the land adjoining the Whaling Museum at the corner of Broad and South Beach Streets.

The County Commissioners had approached the Council relative to securing this small piece of land so that the roadway at this busy corner might be widened to facilitate the flow of traffic.

The recommendation of the Council to grant the easement was approved without a dissenting vote.

The land involved amounts to only approximately 180 square feet generally described as a certain portion of the Association's

33

HISTORIC NANTUCKET

land at the corner of Broad and South Beach Streets running twenty-nine (29) feet westerly on Broad Street from the corner of Broad and South Beach Streets and twenty-nine (29) feet northerly on South Beach Street from the corner of South Beach and Broad Streets, being a crescent-shaped piece of land with a maximum depth of twelve (12) feet from the corner of the Asso­ ciation's property at Broad and South Beach Streets. The ease­ ment is conditioned upon public use of this land as part of the named streets and the sidewalk incident thereto with reversion to the Association upon non-use or disuse. The granting of the easement also is conditioned upon the town or county agreeing to exempt the Association from all responsibility, public liability and costs incident to and rising from the conversion of, including the erecting of new fencing, and the use of the land by the Town.

The proposed improvement at this corner should greatly facilitate the flow of traffic between the center of town and Brant Point. During the summer months traffic at this point often has been seriously congested.

The restoration work at the Whaling Museum is still far from completion due to the unusually cold and wet weather. The laying of the new linotile flooring, replastering of ceilings and repainting proved to be an impossibility until about April first, since when it has progressed slowly. We are far behind schedule but still are hopeful that at least part of the Museum will be ready for opening at the usual date at the end of May. The work on the exterior of the building of repointing and waterproofing the east and south walls has been at a complete standstill since November. It is expected, weather permitting, that this work will be completed by opening date or shortly thereafter.

The cost of the restoration work which it was found com­ pulsory to do this year it is estimated will amount to approximately twelve thousand dollars ($12,000) to pay for which we have re­ ceived to date special donations of slightly over six thousand six hundred dollars ($6,600). It is obvious that five thousand four hundred dollars ($5,400) must still be raised to pay for this work.

With over one thousand members it seems reasonable to believe this goal can be reached by the time the work is completed and payment must be made.

34

Membership Report Our Association family still remains numerically strong with 1,042 members with the membership divided as follows: Life Members 146 Annual Sustaining 63

Annual Active 833

It is with pleasure that we welcome into our family 18 new members, namely: Mrs. Roy Brockway Mr. William D. Barcus Mrs. William D. Barcus Miss Maud G. Caldwell Miss Miriam Cong-don Capt. Kenneth D. Coffin Miss Gertrude Connely Mr. Robert Epple Miss Helen Gilbert

Mrs. Nancy E. Hineman (Sust.)

Mr. Allen Lathrop Miss Aletha Macy Mrs. Fowler E. Macy Mr. Frank Macy Col. L. D. Macy Mrs. Samuel McCullagh Mrs. George W. Wiltbank Mrs. Elizabeth Yerxa

It is with regret that we must report the loss of twelve members through death, namely: Miss Florence Allen Mr. Robert Elder Mrs. Richard Gray Miss Alice DeWarren Little Miss Helen McCleary (Life) Mr. Hugh K. MacDougall

Mr. William L. Mather Mrs. Alfred E. Smith Mr. Edward P. Tice Mr. Albert M. Tucker Mrs. Dorothy Small Wescott Miss Anne Wilson (Life)

Our sympathy is extended to the members of their families.

The Council regrets the necessity of dropping 38 members for non-payment of dues, but wishes to emphasize that a member­ ship thus terminated may upon payment of such dues be reinstated by the Council.

Officers 1955 - 1956

President Mrs. Walton H. Adams

Vice Presidents Howard U. Chase Burnham N. Dell George W. Jones

Everett U. Crosby Miss Grace Brown Gardner W. Ripley Nelson

Secretary-Treasurer

Auditor

Miss Ethel Anderson

Ormonde F. Ingall

Councillors Mrs. Walton H. Adams, Chairman Term Expires

Mrs. Lewis S. Edgarton John W. Grout Earl S. Ray James A. Norcross Mrs. Joseph King Stokeley W. Morgan Mrs. Cyril C. Ross Albert Egan, Jr

1956 1956 1957 1957 1958 1958 1959 1959

Custodian of Collections Mrs. Walton H. Adams

Finance Committee W. Ripley Nelson, Chairman Earl S. Ray

Howard U. Chase

Membership Committee Mrs. Walton H. Adams, Chairman

Historic Nantucket W. Ripley Nelson, Editor Burnham N. Dell

Miss Helen L. Winslow

Associate Editor

Associate Editor

Publicity Committee Stokeley W. Morgan, Chairman

The Inquirer and Mirror Press