Historic Nantucket, July 1971, Vol. 19 No. 1

Historic Nantucket

Nantucket's New Town Building

ANNUAL REPORTS NUMBER

JULY,1971

Published Quarterly by

N ANTUCKET HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION NANTUCKET. MASSACHUSETTS

NANTUCKET HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION OFFICERS President, Henry B. Coleman.

Vice Presidents, W. Ripley Nelson, George W. Jones, Alcon Chadwick, Albert F. Egan, Jr., Mrs. Edith C. Andrews.

Honorary Vice Presidents, Miss Grace Brown Gardner, Mrs William L. Mather Secretary, Mrs. Austin Tyrer.

Treasurer, John N. Welch Councillors, Henry B. Coleman, Chairman; Mrs. Albert F. Egan, Jr., Irving Bartlett, terms expire 1971; Albert G. Brock, John N. Welch, terms expire 1972; Henry Mitchell Havemeyer, David Worth, terms expire 1973; Mrs. Richard Swain, Bernard Grossman, terms expire 1974.

Administrator, Leroy H. True Executive Finance Committee, W. Ripley Nelson, Chairman; Alcon Chadwick, Albert F. Egan, Jr., George W. Jones, Mrs. Edith C. Andrews, Henry B. Coleman, ex officio.

Curator, Miss Dorothy Gardner.

Historian, Edouard A. Stackpole.

Honorary Curator, Mrs. William L. Mather.

Editor, "Historic Nantucket," Edouard A. Stackpole; Assistant Editor, Mrs. Merle Turner Orleans.

STAFF

Historical Museum and Friends Meeting House Chairman and Receptionist Mrs. Elizabeth Worth Librarian Mrs. Clara Block Assistant Mrs. Charles Barr Oldest House Chairman Mrs. J. Clinton Andrews Mrs. Lawrence F. Mooney Receptionist Hadwen House Sa tier Memorial Alcon Chadwick Chairman Mrs. Irving Soverino Chairman, Reception Committee Miss Rosamond Duffy Receptionists Mrs. Ethel L. Small Miss Maud Jackson The 1800 House Mrs. Roy H. Gilpatrick Chairman Mrs. John Kittila Receptionist The Old Jail Albert G. Brock Chairman Charles West Jailer The Old Mill Richard F. Swain Chairman Miss Andrea Laire Miller The Whaling Museum W. Ripley Nelson Chairman Walter W. Lindquist Manager Mrs. Elizabeth Lindquist Receptionists Clarence H. Swift Mrs. Elizabeth Yerxa Jesse Dunham Miss Diane Ropitsky Robert Metters Librarian Mrs. Reginald F. Hussey Research Miss Helen E. Winslow

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

VOLUME 19

No. 1

CONTENTS Editorial

5

The Nantucket Letters of J. Hector St. John de Crevecoeur

by A. Morris Crosby

6

Annual Reports

9

From the South Seas

by William B. Hussey

23

"Whale House" and Whale Skeleton Presented by Historical Trust

27

Legacies and Bequests

31

Historic Nantucket is published quarterly at Nantucket, Massachusetts, by the Nantucket Historical Association. It is sent to Association Members. Extra copies $.50 each.

Membership dues are — Annual-Active $3.00; Sustaining $10.00; Life—one payment $50.00.

Second-class postage paid at Nantucket, Massachusetts.

Copyright 1971, Nantucket Historical Association.

Communications pertaining to the Publication should be addressed to the Editor, Historic Nantucket, Nantucket Hstorical Association, Nantucket, Massachusetts 02554.

5

Editorial The Nantucket Summer Institute THROUGH the cooperative efforts of the Nantucket Historical Trust, the Coffin School Trustees, the University of MassachusettsBoston, the Nantucket Island Chamber of Commerce, the Nan­ tucket Summer Institute is again being conducted this summer.

Since this co-sponsored effort was launched two years ago, the response has encouraged its continuance, and Nantucket has been provided with an important educational asset. These courses began on July 5.

There will be four credit courses for undergraduates pro­ vided by the University of Massachusetts. These are "Traditions of Western Drama" with Prof. Louis S. Roberts as the in­ structor; "History of American Foreign Policy," conducted by Prof. Stanley Remsberg; "Creative Writing," again under Prof.

Mary D. Curran; and "Field Biology of Nantucket," to be held at the University's field station at Quaise, under Prof. Wesley Tiffney. These are all day-time courses.

The Nantucket Historical Trust is presenting a series of informal seminars, during July and August. "Literature of the Sea, under Prof. Robert G. Evans; "Nantucket History," with Edouard A. Stackpole; "Nantucket Ecology," with David Carson; "American Maritime History," with Edouard and Renny A. Stackpole; "A Film Festival of the Sea," with Alison Evans as Director; and "American Whaling," with Edouard A. Stackpole.

The Nantucket Summer Institute is conducted in the Coffin School on Winter Street, made available again by the Trustees.

That this fine old brick structure serves as the headquarters for the courses and the seminars is altogether fitting in line with its tradition of academic activities. Inquiries and registration are being handled by the Nantucket Chamber of Commerce office on the second floor of the Pacific Club building on Main Street Square.

6

The Nantucket Letters of J. Hector St. John de Crevecoeur EDITED AND CONDENSED BY A. MORRIS CROSBY (Continued from our April issue)

v. .

LETTER V Customary Education and Employment of the Inhabitants of Nantucket THE EASIEST WAY of becoming acquainted with the modes of thinking, the rules of conduct, and the prevailing manners of any people, is to examine what sort of education they give their children; how they treat them at home, and what they are taught in their places of public worship. A perfect equanimity prevails in most of their families. They are corrected with tender­ ness, nursed with the most affectionate care, clad with that decent plainness, from which they observe their parents never to depart; they learned to despise ostentatiousness as being sinful. They acquire a taste for neatness; they learn to be prudent and saving. If they are left with fortunes, they are taught how to save them, and how to enjoy them with moderation and de­ cency; if they have none, they know how to venture, to work and toil as their fathers have done before them. If they fail of suc­ cess, there are always established resources.

At their meetings they are taught the few simple tenets of their sect. They are instructed in the most essential duties of Christianity. As every sect necessarily have various opinions and prejudices, so those of the Friends are well known; obedience to the laws, even to non-resistance, justice, good-will to all, benevolence at home, sobriety, meekness, neatness, love of order, fondness and appetite for commerce.

At schools they learn to read and to write a good hand, until they are twelve years old; they are then in general put out as apprentices to the cooper's trade, which is the second essential branch of business followed here; at fourteen they are sent to sea, where, in their leisure hours, their companions teach them the art of navigation. They learn the great and useful art of working a ship in all of the different situations which the sea and wind so often require. Then they go gradually to every sta­ tion of rowers, steersmen, and harpoonists; and after having

1 performed several such voyages, and perfected themselves in this business, they are fit either for the counting house or the chase.

The first proprietors of this island, or rather the first founders of this town, began their career of industry with a single whaleboat, with which they went to fish for cod, and those early successes first led them to conceive that they might likewise catch the whales, which hitherto sported undisturbed on their banks. The south sides of the island were divided into four equal parts, and each part was assigned to a company of six, which carried on their business in common.

They erected a mast, and near it they built a temporary hut, where five of the associates lived, whilst the sixth from his high station carefully looked forward to sea, in order to observe the spouting of the whales. As soon as any were discovered, the sentinel descended, the whaleboat was launched, and the company went forth in quest of their game. By the exertions of an ad­ mirable dexterity, improved by long practice, in which these people are become superior to any other whalemen; by knowing the temper of the whale after her first movement, they seldom failed to harpoon it, and to bring the huge leviathan on the shore.

Thus they went on until the profits they made enabled them to purchase larger vessels, and to persue them farther, when the whale quitted their coast; those who failed in their enterprizes, returned to the cod-fisheries; they even began to visit the banks of Cape Breton, and all the other fishing places with which this coast of America abounds. In process of time they visited the western islands, the Brazils, the coast of Guinea. Would you believe that they have already gone to the Falkland Islands, and that I have heard several of them talk of going to the South Seas!

Their confidence is so great, and their knowledge of this branch of business so superior to that of any other people, that they have acquired a monopoly of this commodity. The industry exerted by the people of Nantucket hath enabled them to rival all their competitors; consequently this is the greatest mart for oil, whalebone, and spermacetti, on the continent. It does not fol­ low, however, that they are always successful; many voyages do not repay the original cost of fitting out: they bear such misfor­ tunes like true merchants, and as they never venture their all like gamesters, they try their fortunes again, I was there when Mr. had missed one of his vessels; she had been given over for lost by everybody, but happily arrived before I came away, after an absence of thirteen months. She brought home upward of 600 barrels of oil, beside bone.

Those returns are sometimes disposed of in the towns on the continent, where they are exchanged for such commodities as are wanted; but they are most commonly sent to England where they always sell for cash. When this is intended, a vessel larger than

8

HISTORIC NANTUCKET

the rest is fitted out to be filled with oil on the spot where it is found and made, and thence she sails immediately for London.

This expedient saves time, freight, and expense; and from that capital they bring back whatever they want. They employ also several vessels in transporting lumber to the West Indian Islands, from whence they procure in return the various productions of the country, which they afterwards exchange wherever they can hear of an advantageous market.

They possess, like the generality of Americans, a large share of native penetration, activity, and good sense: they are well acquainted with the cheapest methods of procuring lumber from Kennebeck River, pitch and tar, from North Carolina; flour and biscuit from Philadelphia, beef and pork from Connecticutt.

By means of all these commercials negociations, they have greatly cheapened the fitting out of their whaling fleets, and therefore much improved their fisheries.

They are indebted for all these advantages not only to their national genius but to the poverty of their soil; and as proof of what I have so often advanced, look at the Vineyard (their neighboring island) which is inhabited by a set of people as keen and as sagacious as themselves. Their soil being in general extremely fertile, they have fewer navigators, though they are equally well situated for the fishing business.

(To Be Continued)

9

ANNUAL REPORTS Administrator's Report With many people and committees reporting it seems prob­ able that anything I say will be a repetition even in a year packed with activity. I will, therefore, only comment briefly on some of the important events leaving the details to others.

Adding the whale skeleton and building to the Whaling Mu­ seum, the near completion of the long planned Peter Foulger Museum, and Mr. Stackpole's acceptance of the post of Historian are real landmarks. The two fires yet unsolved are hard to under­ stand but it was a great comfort that the buildings could be com­ pletely restored.

Two of our people attended the Conference of Historical Preservation at Sturbridge and two others the Traveling Exhibi­ tion of the Historic American Buildings Survey in Washington; the expenses in both cases were covered by generous friends. I also have been to the New Bedford Whaling Musum, the Peabody Museum, to Williamsburg, and to a number of smaller exhibits and talked with each Director. Their problems are different from ours but I believe such meetings and talks produce concrete bene­ fits as well as being inspirational.

Mr. Harding Greene has been researching the Marconi Wire­ less installation and will have this documented and a suitable marker placed on the location soon.

Mr. Hugh Chace has been acquiring information about what a town office looked like around 1850 and we plan to set this up in the Old Town Building. We have most of the things needed but would appreciate the donation of any of the following articles of approximately this date: stove, foot warmer, pitcher and glass, small work table, captain's or low back Windsor chair, ladder back chair, old rug, high stool or stool chair and an old steel pen.

We now have alarm systems connected with the fire and police departments from most of our buildings. They were expensive to install and will be a constant expense to maintain but considering the value and impossibility of replacing our exhibits this seemed necessary.

We are in the process of asking all families in Nantucket who are not already members of our Association to become mem­ bers. Not only are there many direct benefits to membership but

10

HISTORIC NANTUCKET

it is a tangible way of helping to keep the history and tradition of Nantucket alive and a potent influence against undesirable changes. If you know of anyone living or summering here not listed in the phone book, please pass their names on to us at 2281894 or 228-0468.

As in the past we admitted several hundred school children free to our buildings and I think every hostess will agree that the questions asked and interest shown demonstrated great enthus­ iasm.

We now have reprints of "Three Bricks and Three Brothers" and expect copies of "The Coffin Family" soon. It seems doubtful if either will be reprinted again so we urge you to order copies now if you wish them.

At the suggestion of Mrs. Walker, our award for the best Nantucket History essay in the High School will be made at a special historical assembly this fall rather than at graduation.

We are expecting a new timber some 50 ft. long and 12 inches thick for the Old Mill soon and when in place, it will again be possible to bring the vanes "up into the wind" and once more grind corn. Plans to do this have been underway for several years but there were complications.

I think emphasis during the coming year should be put on programs already started but needing work and attention. Mr. Stackpole's hope of correlating our whaling and maritime history with international programs must be followed up. We need more coordination between owners of old and interesting Nantucket homes and the Association. Winston-Salem has done this beauti­ fully and we have made a start but more should be done. Our educational program needs expanding and improving.

All three of these are ready to burst forth and, surprisingly enough, it is not the lack of money, although we need this, so much as the lack of workers which is holding them back. We hope volunteers will come forward to give us a hand with these and other efforts of the Association.

Leroy H. True

ANNUAL REPORTS

11

Membership Report Membership in the Association is open to anyone and we are always happy to receive new members. Membership entitles one to free admission to all the Association's exhibits and to copies of the quarterly magazine, Historic Nantucket. Since it is our membership dues which help to support our organization, we do appreciate any suggestions as to prospective new members.

Total new members for this year is 246.

We are saddened by the loss, through death, of the following people during the past year: Frederick Alter, Alice P. Amey, Mrs. J. B. Ashley, Paul Badger, Mildred Burgess, Mrs. Harold E. Dyer, Mrs. George Folger, Mrs. R. V. Lewis, Mrs. Charles Lipscomb, Judge Donald J. Magaw, Sydney E. Martin, Mary Mendonca, Wendell Miller, Mrs. Thompson Newbury, Frank Ramsdell, Mrs. Isobel Riddell, Margaret Roys, Roy E. Sanguinetti, Helena G. Winslow, Gladys Wood.

Postage has increased considerably on all returned issues of Historic Nantucket due to lack of current address and we, there­ fore, particularly stress the cooperation of all members to notify us immediately of any change of permanent address.

ADMISSION TO MUSEUMS Fair Street Museum Oldest House 1800 House Old Mill Old Jail Hadwen House-Satler Mem'l Whaling Museum Total

1970 2432 12950 1445 3527 3128 4629 33036 61147

1969 2068 8072 1175 3924 3066 3847 29145 51297

1988 2019 8011 1208 4410 3229 3958 31197 54032

1967 2415 7242 1304 4313 2957 3250 35957 57438

Elizabeth Tyrer, Secretary

1966 2785 8543 2050 4674 3499 7750 38803 68114

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HISTORIC NANTUCKET

Whaling Museum Report W. RIPLEY NELSON, CHAIRMAN

The fiscal year 1970-1971 proved to be an outstanding year of progress for the Museum from various viewpoints but the most outstanding event was the completion of the brick addition to house a whale skeleton and the installation of the skeleton therein.

WHALE ROOM ADDITION The building of a brick addition of two and a half stories, approximately 58 feet long by 45 feet wide, built onto the west side of the old building, was completed. It was built to house an unusual exhibit, the skeleton of a finback whale. The addition and the whale skeleton were a donation of the Nantucket Histor­ ical Trust. In view of the unusual nature of this project and the technical knowhow and work involved, an historical review seems in order.

In October of 1967 this whale became stranded on a beach on the north shore of the island. Mr. Walter Beinecke, Jr., quickly recognized the opportunity of securing a whale skeleton for the Museum and the handling of the job was assigned by him to the Nantucket Historical Trust.

The unusual task of cutting the skeleton out of the carcass was finally accomplished. Then the head, jaws, flippers, ribs and vertebra were placed in special wire cages and lowered into the water between Straight and Cross wharves. There they remained for eight months for purification, then hauled up and bleached in the sun.

The parts and pieces were then packed and sent to the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute scientist Andrew Konnerth, who had accepted the assignment of putting the skeleton parts to­ gether. Thanks to his skill and knowledge lost parts were con­ structed and fitted to complete it. The skeleton was then trans­ ported in sections to Nantucket and assembled by scientist Kon­ nerth in the new building addition.

To appreciate this momentous task and the value of this donation as an exhibit, one must see the exhibit. The whale room is entered by special doorway from Sanderson Hall. The whale exhibit was opened to the public May 29, 1971 upon the opening of the Whaling Museum season. (1971-1972 season.)

There is something timely and especially interesting in this exhibit for when Nantucketers first went whaling, it was right whale species which was attacked and taken. Thus, the finback,

HISTORIC NANTUCKET 14 probably the most elusive of the right whale species, represents the origin of Nantucket whaling as an industry.

THE AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL UNIVERSITY PROJECT A second outstanding project in which, by invitation, the Association participated, was that of the Department of Pacific History of the Australian National University. Twelve libraries in Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific Islands sponsored this project to develop the history of the Pacific Ocean and the Jand areas bordering and within it. The records of ship masters Who visited the area during the last two centuries are the most important records. Most of the British records are said to have :been destroyed leaving the New England records as probably the most significant group of maritime records affecting the area.

The University, therefore, organized the project named "New England Microfilming Project" under the sponsorship of the twelve libraries. Dr. John S. Cumpston, B.A. (Hons.) L.L.B., D. Litt. of the Department of Pacific History of the University was named Director. With a number of assistants he visited a se­ lected list of libraries to obtain this data. In our Library they examined log books, documents, etc., to select those having data pertaining to voyages in the specified Pacific areas and then, at the project's expense, were provided with microfilm copies of the data available. All data secured is to be made available to the sponsoring libraries in the Pacific area only and to scholars working in that part of the world.

Our library indexing and cross filing of such data was of inestimable help and we were fortunate and glad to be of assist­ ance in this unusual historical project.

OTHER SPECIAL VISITORS The field of special research also included a visitor from South Wales, Great Britain, interested in early whaling and the Nantucket migration to Wales; the building of Nantucket whale ships; the appliances used in whale fishery; and the usual requests for data about captains and ships.

Groups from a number of visiting fraternal orders and guests of the Nantucket Historical Trust were welcomed. Many interesting facts were learned in discussion with visitors and when seemed advisable, notations were made in the library daily record. A special notation was made of the visit of Stan Whippy of Sava-Fiji Islands, the great-grandson of David Whippy who left Nantucket in 1819 for Fiji.

Other interesting comments from many of the visitors were that they had been influenced to visit the Island by the interest­ ing article on Nantucket in the June, 1970, National Geographic magazine. Many express appreciation of the fine library and collection of books and enjoy the privilege of being able to sit down, relax, and read. The children's table in the library during the summer is most always full.

ANNUAL REPORTS 15 So many visitors express the wish that they had more time to spend in the Museum, to enjoy the friendly atmosphere and the willingness of the personnel to aid those making inquiries and are surprised at the completeness of our exhibits.

Mainland and Island Girl and Boy Scout Troops were wel­ comed. Student groups from Nantucket grammar and High Schools with accompanying teachers were gladly received as our contribution to the historical education of Island school children.

ADMISSIONS AND SALES Paid admissions for the 1970-71 regular fiscal year to­ talled 33,036 persons of whom 27,522 were adults and 5514 were children between 5 and 12 years of age. This record showed an increase of 4149 paid admissions over the previous year's total.

This is of special significance because the admission fee at the season opening was increased from 80c to $1.00 for adults and a proportionate increase from 40c to 50c for children between 5 and 12 years of age.

The paid admissions produced a total of $30,225.60 which showed an increase of $9,002.60 over the previous season. Special attention is being given to producing additional revenue from sales which includes diversification and additions to the various items for sale. This effort resulted in total sales for the season of $8,717.25 for an increase over the previous year of $2,346.75.

In addition to the regular seasonal schedule, May 29th to October 12th, the two special off-season openings were continued, namely at Thanksgiving and the Christmas-New Year week.

As stated last year, these two holiday periods are attracting more visitors to the Island each year and the opening of the Museum provides a real historical attraction for these visitors and at­ tendance proves it is appreciated.

The "guest registry book" showed 48 states and the Dis­ trict of Columbia were represented this year compared with 42 states and the District of Columbia last year. The two missing states were Montana and Idaho.

Registered visitors from foreign lands recorded 35 repre­ sented this year. Those represented were: France, Italy, England, Denmark, Ireland, Sweden, Bahamas, South Wales, Canada, Aus­ tralia, Finland, West Germany, Czechoslovakia, Japan, Argentina, Okinawa, Colombia and Chile, S.A., Israel, Austria, Switzerland, Greece, Holland, New Zealand, Belgium, China, Fiji Islands, Scotland, Brazil, Bequi Island, St. Vincent, Sicily, Kashmir Asia, Mexico, Poland.

Again, we repeat the statement made for several years past, namely: "while Nantucketers still roam and visit foreign lands, here is outstanding proof of how the tables have turned with respect to people from all parts of the world visiting Nantucket."

Domestic and foreign visitors are no longer limited to the short summer season for they are recorded in increasing numbers

16

HISTORIC NANTUCKET

during the off-season months, largely during holiday weekends, such as Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years. This is an important factor in the economy of Nantucket and places_ a real responsibility upon the Association to extend to all visitors, seasonal and off-season, a cordial welcome and considerate atten­ tion. This is the policy the Whaling Museum endeavors to carry out at all times.

PERSONNEL The 1970-1971 fiscal year Staff served loyally and construc­ tively in handling our many visitors. Spare moments were will­ ingly devoted to improving the presentation and preservation of our exhibits.

Our staff, for the most part, will return for the coming season. One staff member, Charles A. West, is leaving us to become "gaoler" in charge of the "Old gaol." He will be missed by all.

Walter Lindquist will serve this year in the same capacity but with a new title of "manager." Mrs. Elizabeth Lindquist will again greet visitors at the reception desk and will supervise the sales desk and scrimshaw room. Mrs. Reginald Hussey, as Librar­ ian, will continue her constructive work. Other staff members for the coming season will be Clarence H. Swift, Mrs. Sterling B. Yerxa, Jesse Dunham and Miss Diane Ropitsky. Robert Metters is joining the staff as a new member.

SUMMARY The Museum committee repeats its often made statement that it bears constantly in mind, that the Whaling Museum is the outstanding asset and earning power of the Association. Further, that our Whaling Museum is recognized nationally and inter­ nationally as one of the outstanding Whaling Museums of the world.

The committee is constantly striving to protect and improve the Museum. The staff also contributes its loyal and helpful co­ operation.

The large addition to the west side of the building to house the whale skeleton is more than welcome but as such, does not solve the need for additional space for our present exhibits and ever-growing number of additions. This is still our foremost problem and need. Space is still available on the east side of the building for an addition to provide needed floor and wall space. Financing the cost of construction is the problem to be solved and with each year's delay, becomes more difficult because of rising costs.

Numerous interesting and valued donations have been re­ ceived, recorded and reported to the Curator. Comments will un­ doubtedly be found in her report with respect to the important items.

The Museum committee for 1971-1972 will remain unchanged with Albert F. Egan, Jr., Mrs. Kent King, Charles F. Sayle, and W. Ripley Nelson serving as members.

ANNUAL REPORTS

17

1800 House Report MRS. ROY H. GILPATRICK CHAIRMAN

The season 1970 showed a slight increase in attendance.

Paid admissions 1969 1970 Adults 1260 1045 Children 138 185 Total 1175 1445 Members 138 252 A decided increase in members. Many of these were obviously on the island for a short stay. We had ten countries and thirty states represented.

Wre have had several curators from other museums, and all have been most enthusiastic.

We have noted a definite increased interest among young people. Some, interested mostly in the house, its construction and layout. Others show more interest in our furniture or china.

Historical Museum and Friends Meeting House MRS. ELIZABETH B. WORTH, CHAIRMAN

Our buildings on Fair Street continued to attract visitors from many states and foreign countries during the past summer.

In addition to the thirty cases of various exhibits, much interest was also shown in the displays of clocks and the portraits with information of their artists. Nantucket genealogical records were used extensively and the large collections of pictures of Nantucket houses (taken about 1895) were enjoyed by many.

Mr. Robert J. Leach spent ten weeks at the Museum on his research of early Quaker records. Mr. Clay Lancaster was with us all summer working on his study of Nantucket houses. Both gentlemen will have books on these subjects published.

The Meeting House was occupied each Sunday by the Society of Friends and last summer the attendance was larger than re­ ported for a number of years.

18

Interior of Friends Meeting House

ANNUAL REPORTS

19

The HadwervSatler House Memorial ALCON CHADWICK, CHAIRMAN

Hadwen House has had another busy season. Admissions to this beautiful Satler Memorial totalled 4629 people in 1970.

Our visitors appreciate and indeed are fortunate to be greeted by our dedicated and interested hostesses, Mrs. Irving A. Soverino, Chairman; Miss Rosamond Duffy, Miss Marjorie A. Burgess, Miss Maude Jackson and Mrs. Oswell J. Small. During the tours the hostesses very capably trace the life of William Hadwen, the building of this neo-classic dwelling and point out the beautiful furnishings found in this residence where living was more gracious than it is today.

During the year the south, west and north sides of the house have been painted. The fence on Main Street and at the front entrance has been repaired and has received one coat of paint. The woodwork in the front hall on the first floor was freshened. Some repairs were required on the slat fence on Pleas­ ant and Summer Streets. This fence received one coat of paint on the street side. Repairs to this property will be a never-ending and costly task.

Much credit and appreciation is due the house committee for their advice and for their arrangement of the furnishings. This committee composed of Mrs. Albert F. Egan, Jr., Mrs. Charles Clark Coffin, Mrs. Robert D. Congdon, and Mrs.Richard P. Swain have contributed much to create the continued interest in this exhibit.

Report of the Curator All the museums and exhibits were open for the season and those who visited them enjoyed their visits. It is always appre­ ciated by the chairmen when someone makes a special effort to say how much he or she liked certain exhibits.

The Association has received many donations during the year which will not be enumerated because they have been reported in "Historic Nantucket." However, a recent addition should be men­ tioned, a bell pull done in crewel by Mrs. Benjamin Stone which will be hung in the Hadwen-Satler Memorial.

During the winter the master file was completed. The help of Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Amey was greatly appreciated in sorting and alphabetizing the cards.

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HISTORIC NANTUCKET

The Peter Foulger Memorial progressed well and it is ex­ pected to be open later this season. The addition housing the skeleton of the whale was finished and opened to the public in May. The Nantucket Historical Association is deeply indebted to the generosity of Mr. Walter Beinecke for this interesting addition to the Whaling Museum.

It has been a successful year for the museums and exhibits of the Association and I sincerely thank all those who have helped to make it so.

Dorothy Gardner, Curator

The Peter Foulger Museum The various stages in the planning of the Peter Foulger Museum are now in the process of completion. The Committee on Exhibits, with Richard Swain as Chairman, has engaged the services of the firm of professional designers in Brooklyn, New York — Dyna-Graphic Displays, Inc. — which has made the cases and display materials for the exhibits. The work of planning the setting-up of the displays has been co-ordinated by your Chair­ man. It is hoped that this program will be completed before Au­ gust 1, so that the new Museum may be opened to the public in mid-summer.

In planning this new possession of the Nantucket Historical Association the theme was a presentation of Nantucket history along the line of the Island's role both as an entity and as an influence in the larger history of the United States and the world. To carry out such a theme twenty-one exhibits will be established. Beginning with the first settlers, the displays will include such features as the "Indian Inhabitants," the "Dominion of the Quakers," "Architecture," "Industries," "Marine Trans­ portation," "Art and Artists," "Crafts," "Foreign Trade," "Walter Folger — Island Genius," "Farmers," "Sheep Shearing," "Nantucket Women."

As an outstanding part of the Museum's function will be the new Library and Research Room. The Association has for the first time a center for its academic activities, with a modern vault room for the protection and preservation of its manuscript collections, and a handsome Library room to serve as a center for study and research.

The responsibility for the maintenance and functioning of the Peter Foulger Museum has been placed in the hands of the Chairman and his staff. As a basic premise it is planned to present, in the best manner possible, the historical material it wishes to both exhibit and preserve.

In this country for many decades — in fact, until compara­ tively recent times — museums followed the design of those in Europe, with high-ceiling halls, wide corridors, ornate doorways

ANNUAL REPORTS

21

and thick walls. While our museums and natural history displays need much more room than the other types, the waste of space is still characteristic of the standard museum. Now, modern American museums throughout the country, clearly reveal the many lessons that have been learned in this respect. For example, the Rochester Museum in Rochester, New York; the Minneapolis Museum in that city; the Nebraska Historical Society, in Lincoln Nebraska; and the Peabody Museum, at Yale University, to name a few.

Here in Nantucket, we have certain advantages in planning for "Foulger Memorial." First, with the Whaling Museum so close at hand, we do not need any displays which would duplicate these which memorialize the historic industry which made Nan­ tucket famous. Similarly, we have such individual self-contained exhibits as the Oldest House, the Old Mill, the Old Jail, and "1800 House," and these not only present their own related material, but graphically interpret the eras in Island History for which they stand.

Thus, we have determined two important objectives: What we wish the "Foulger Memorial" to display, and, once this was decided, how to arrange these exhibits. Through the services of a professional company the series of displays has been arranged as to present the story of Nantucket life over the past three centuries. Alternate displays are planned to carry out these themes.

There have been two outstanding gifts to the Association's new Library to date. The New England Society in the City of New York has presented a sum of money for the purpose of estab­ lishing a bookcase, the books to be selected by the Chairman, and through the interest of H. H. Kynett, of 118 Main Street, Nantucket, and Philadelphia, Pa., we have received a first edition of Captain Charles M. Scammon's "The Marine Mammals of the Northwest Coast of North America."

The Peter Foulger Museum was constructed under the super­ vision of a Nantucket contractor, Howard Jelleme, with three other local firms also installing the necessary physical features — Arthur Butler, plumbing; Maxwell T. Ryder, electrician, and Clair Butler, painting. The architect was the late Errol Coffin, and the handsome structure is a tribute to not only his profes­ sional skill but to his deep interest in the affairs of the Associa­ tion. We are all indebted to George W. Jones, our former Presi­ dent, now a Vice President and member of the Executive-Finance Committee, who accepted the post as the Overseer of the con­ struction upon the death of Mr. Coffin. It is due to Mr. Jones' cooperation with the contractors that the Museum has been com­ pleted to the full satisfaction of all concerned.

Respectfully submitted, Edouard A. Stackpole, Chairman

22

HISTORIC NANTUCKET

OLD GOAL ALBERT G. BROCK, CHAIRMAN

The Old Gaol opened for the season of 1970 under the cap­ able hands of Mrs. Caddell, a former resident of Nantucket.

Attendance for the summer totalled 3128 paid admissions with many school and Scout groups included.

Everything went along smoothly until the tragic fire de­ stroyed the front entrance and stairway, practically closing the exhibit. Mr. McGarvey did an excellent job of restoring these sections and also uncovered a brick walkway.

1971 promises to be a good year and we are pleased to have Charles West as "jailer."

23

From the South Seas Among interesting letters received from descendants of Nantucketers have been those of William B. Hussey, who is the Re­ gional Representative of the United Nations for the Western Pacific area. As the great-grandson of Captain Peter Hussey, he is actually retracing many of the routes which that mariner took during his many years in the Pacific and at Hong Kong and Japan.

It is to be hoped that he will write an article for Historic Nan­ tucket concerning his great-grandfather's adventures, to include excerpts from the diary of Captain Hussey's wife, who accom­ panied him during several of his voyages.

Mr. Hussey has given permission to reprint two of the "Christmas Letters," which he and Mrs. Hussey annually send to their relatives and friends, and in which we feel our readers will be interested. These excerpts follow: "Here we are in the Pacific again after nine years in several African countries and the incomparably beautiful Indian Ocean island of Mauritius!

"While Bill's assignment as United Nations Development Programme Regional Representative For The Western Pacific covers six million square miles of the Pacific, it involves a land mass of only 33,615 square miles. Within the Region the United Nations is engaged in extensive economic and social develop­ ment projects. Principal fields of assistance are development plan­ ning, industrial productivity, agricultural productivity, public utilities, education, public health, and major public and social services. The cost and duration of projects, from handicrafts to hydroelectric schemes, range from as little as a few thousand dollars and a few weeks' duration to several million dollars each and taking several years to complete.

"Generally, there are some ninety staff members working and living throughout the islands of the Region. These experts are truly international in their nationalities. Burma, Korea, China, Japan, India, Ceylon, each Scandinavian country, France, Belgium and the United Kingdom to name a few.

"Headquarters is located in the unique atmosphere of West­ ern Samoa for it was the first of the Island territories to become independent (1962). 'Unique' is an apt word for how many people of the world live in beehive-shaped houses without walls or room partitions? How many countries not only empty the jail on a Fri­ day night to permit criminals (including convicted murderers) spending the weekend with their families but receive all of them back on Monday without fail? How many countries literally have

24

HISTORIC NANTUCKET

no individually owned land as it is all held by extended families with each member sharing in the ownership throughout life?

How many families are today so closely knit that weekly, or more often, a family meets in council to discuss events affecting it and decisions on matters concerning both individual members and the group?

"Where is religion so interwoven in people's lives that on the stroke of the Head of Family's evening bell at 7 p.m. each householder throughout the cluster of open-sided 'see through' thatched roofed houses dotting the family land bows his head in the reverence of prayer? Where in this jet world are church services filled not once but several times by the same people and cruise ships are not permitted to dock on Sundays to insure undisturbed Sabbaths?

"There are lessons to be learned in Western Samoa. Perhaps one of them is that the world suffers from overstuffed heads attached to lagging hearts. Becoming acquainted with the Samoan way of life, one realizes human relations can only break down men when there is no genuine feeling for others, no desire to under­ stand or to help them. Further, that kindliness and spontaneity does bring peace of mind and contentment. It is impossible to envisage their society being reduced to the manner of snarling dogs.

"Robert Louis Stevenson lived out his life in this vision of human and physical loveliness where quiet valleys look upward to jagged peaks and foaming waves crash on low coral reefs. Known to Samoans as Tusitala (Teller of Tales), he now rests with a simple memorial stone at the top of Mount Vaea which rises almost from our garden.

"In such surroundings it will indeed be an old fashioned family Christmas for us. We couldn't be more grateful for the opportunities to share fellow feelings with new friends and gain such rich experiences in an area some have described as 'paradise.' *

*

*

*

'Since writing at Christmas there have been many trips through the islands of the Pacific. A recent one to the Tokelau Islands, some 300 miles northwest of Samoa, may fascinate im­ aginations by glimpsing a corner of the world where time is more nearly at a standstill than in most countries.

"The islands are among the more unique ones of the world for they have no scheduled air service and only an occasional small trading vessel calls to bring trading goods and pick up copra. Except for a New Zealand teacher and his family at each atoll, there are no European inhabitants. The Tokelau Islands consist of three atolls located approximately 50 miles apart. On two atolls, Nukonono and Atafu, only one island on each atoll is inhabited. On Faka'ofa, two islands have villages. The Tokelauans

FROM THE SOUTH SEAS

25

do not communicate between the atolls by their own boats and thus the communities live almost in isolation from each other.

"The climate is warm. Nature is bountiful. The coral reefs protect the islands from the seas, reducing them to a distant line of breakers and a lulling, murmurous boom of sound that scarcely breaks the silence.

"Inside the lagoons the water lies calm and transluscent; light ripples across the colours of the sand and coral beneath, making the water luminous, changing from jade green to turquoise. Over the lagoons hangs a haze of golden light.

"Sitting down in the lagoon at Faka'ofa in mirror like con­ ditions by chartered Grumman amphibian plane was to leave the world of today behind and step into the past. An outrigger canoe glided out to meet me with the chief of the village on board. A seat of ceremony was ready and off we went with blades flashing in steady rhythm as the canoe slipped through water ever-chang­ ing in colour toward one of two populated islands. Drawing near, I could see women dancing to drum beats on the shore and Village Elders drawn up in a receiving line.

"Nosing ashore in a tiny, palm and breadfruit shaded inlet the canoe halted and I prepared to disembark. My Talking Chief indicated I was not to move. Even as he spoke, two village maidens walked waist deep into the water alongside. The first bore a basin of warm water. I was told to refresh myself. The second provided a towel. Hard on the wake of the two, a third girl arrived bearing a woven tray covered by a green banana frond on which were heaped barbecued chicken, fish baked in seaweed over hot stones, bananas in coconut cream, raw octopus marinated in lime juice and other island delicacies.

"All assembled watched as I ate. The Talking Chief implied that the amount consumed would indicate the size of my joy in their reception! While the girl stood patiently in the water holding the tray I upheld tradition by eating well, aided by the enjoyment of using a living table for the first time.

This act finished, two stalwart men came forward through the water, picked me up like a leaf, and moved gracefully to shore where I greeted each elder and gave a word of welcome in their own language. The dancers were thanked for the graciousness of their reception.

Seated cross-legged on the floor of the council meeting place - a thatched roof structure open at the sides and supported by polished columns of coconut logs which provide convenient back rests for the more senior elders — the customary greetings were made by their Talking Chief to my Talking Chief and my response returned in the same way. This formality out of the" way, the problems facing their atoll and possible assistance from the United Nations were clearly stated.

HISTORIC NANTUCKET "It was obvious all had been clearly thought out and debated by the Elders before my arrival. The points brought forward: a channel cut from the open sea into the lagoon; advice in growing exotic shells such as mother of pearl, for export sale; technical advice in building a causeway between the two inhabited islands; a soil study to determine crops other than coconuts which might be successfully grown; and scholarships for their children's study of specialized subjects in the "outside world" were some of the matters they brought up for discussion. One could not take ex­ ception to any of the ideas. It was promised their representations would be discussed with the New Zealand Government as to what action might be taken (New Zealand is the protectinng power for the Tokelaus).

"Arrivals varied on the other two atolls but the warm hospi­ tality was identical as were the meetings in the council chambers (called 'fono'). Similar, too, was the immaculate nature of the villages — not a scrap of anything out of place, no waste to be seen; everywhere neat, rock lined walks providing connections with the lines of dwellings which are similar to those of Western Samoa — a floor with a thatched roof supported by coconut logs and no walls. One wit has called this manner of living the only true open society in the world!

"When it came time to leave the Tokelaus where a wheel of any kind is unknown and people walk or move by canoe; traffic jams and smog are alien mysteries; children run free without thought of molestation; and people live in dignity with security from cradle to grave I wondered who has found the better life, the people of the Tokelaus or those of us who belong to what is • proudly proclaimed as the 'developed world'?"

William B. Hussey 26

27

"Whale House" and Whale Skeleton Presented Association by Trust On Thursday afternoon, June 17, the Nantucket Historical Association received a most unusual gift. The skeleton of a finback whale and an imposing brick structure to house the skeleton were officially presented to the Association by Walter Beinecke, Jr., representing the Nantucket Historical Trust.

The presentation was made at a brief ceremony in front of the "Whale House" on Broad Street. As a wing to the Whaling Museum to the west, the new structure occupies the space be­ tween that Museum and the newly completed Peter Foulger Museum.

In accepting the gift on behalf of the Nantucket Histori­ cal Association, Henry B. Coleman, who presided, stated: "As President of the Nantucket Historical Association may I express the appreciation of its members and say 'Thank you' to the Nantucket Historical Trust for the gift of this new exhibit, the building to house it, and the effective planting around these buildings.

"To the best of my knowledge, this articulated whale skeleton is one of the very few on display, and does much to round out the exhibits of the Whaling Museum.

"At this gathering, I would like to pay tribute to the late Walter Beinecke, Sr., who founded the Nantucket Historical Trust with the idea of just such contributions as this for the betterment of Nantucket. I would also like to thank the Trust for the many, many gifts it has presented the Association. For example, the acquisition of the land on which the new Peter Foul­ ger Museum now stands. The trust has also made possible the Association's acquiring many irreplaceable books, papers, manu­ scripts and other items of great value and interest to the students of Nantucket History and associated subjects.

"This new exhibit now becomes a part of the Whaling Mu­ seum, which is under the able chairmanship of W. Ripley Nelson."

President Coleman then called upon the Association's His­ torian, Edouard A. Stackpole, for a few words: In his remarks, Mr. Stackpole noted that the new exhibit represented most fit­ tingly the type of whale which the first settlers of the Island found on the Island's beaches.

"These were of that species known as right whales, and their oil became a ready commodity for sale. Later, this was the

"WHALE HOUSE" AND WHALE SKELETON

29

whale they sought, and the success of their industry made possible the launching of a new Colonial business — the deep-sea whal­ ing industry — of which the Islanders were the pioneers. Two centuries and a quarter ago, an article in an English journal de­ scribed this kind of whale as 'The true whale, which differs from other fish that bear that name in his having no teeth, instead of which he has whiskers of a kind of horny substance, growing on each side of his upper jaw, consisting of a great number of differ­ ent blades, some of them a foot broad at the bottom, and from 12 to 15 feet long, ending in a sort of fringe . . . called whale bone."

The speaker declared that the whale whose skeleton now serves as a prime exhibit is in the nature of a monument to the early whaling. "Like the whale of old this finback whale came to these shores and became stranded, as if to symbolically seek us cut to remind us of the humble beginnings of what was to become Nantucket's greatest industry."

Mr. Stackpole made reference to an occasion some forty years ago, when a whale became stranded on the south shore and the Association was taken to task for not attempting to salvage the skeleton. The incident brought about a spirited exchange be­ tween two close friends — one the editor of The Inquirer and Mirror and the other the President of the Association. Whatever their differences, both agreed that in order to obtain such a skeleton "an army of experts" was necessary. However, the speaker pointed out, we have now become the proud possessors of such a splendid exhibit without the services of an army of experts — but instead with the support and interest of the Nantucket Historical Trust and the hard work of a "Nantucket crew."

The skeleton was taken from the body of the whale soon after he died on the north beach, between Capaum and Dionis, in October 1967. During that winter the bones were placed in wooden cages and submerged in the salt water of Still Dock; then taken up and transported to Woods Hole where Andrew Konnerth, of the Oceanographic Institution staff, assembled the bones of the skeleton — 44 feet long.

Following the presentation ceremony the group was invited to enter the "Whale House" and inspect the exhibit. The skeleton has been imaginatively displayed, being suspended from the trusses of the roof, and outlined with a black iron wire to demon­ strate the great bulk of the whale. Below the skeleton a simulated shadow has been created through the use of beach pebbles on a bed of beach sand. On the further end of the room several types of whales have been drawn to a scale so as to better identify the exhibit itself. An attractive display of color transparencies has been arranged, depicting the process of removing the skeleton, which are enlargements of the photographs taken at the time the work was done.

30

HISTORIC NANTUCKET

Entrance to the "Whale House" is gained from the Whaling Museum main room. The visitor is enabled to obtain a full length view of the whale as he walks an elevated ramp, placed at eye level range with the skeleton.

The presentation ceremony was arranged by Albert F. Egan, Jr., a Vice President of the Association, and was attended by Council members and friends and employees of the Association.

Mr. George W. Jones, a Vice President and a member of the Nantucket Historical Trust was also present.

31

Legacies and Bequests Membership in our Association proves that you are interested in its program for the preservation of Nantucket's famed heritage and its illustrious past, which so profoundly affected the develop­ ment of our country. You can perpetuate that interest by giving to the Association a legacy under your will, which will help to insure the Association's carrying on. Counsel advises that legacies to the Nantucket Historical Association are allowable deductions under the Federal Estate Tax Law. Legacies will be used for general or specific purposes as directed by the donor. A sample form may read as follows: "I give, devise, and bequeath to the Nantucket Historical Association, a corporation duly or­ ganized under the laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and located in the Town of Nantucket, in said Commonwealth, the sum of dollars."

Legacies may be made also in real estate, bonds, stocks, books, paintings, or any objects having historical value, in which event a brief description of the same should be inserted instead of a sum of money.

Please send all communications to the Secretary, Box 1016, Nantucket, Massachusetts 02554. Office, Union Street.

NANTUCKET HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION STATEMENT OF INCOME AND EXPENSE GENERAL FUND FOR THE YEAR ENDED MAY 31, 1971 Admissions Membership Dues Donations Miscellaneous

$42,529.

6,142.

3,3^3.

91.

Merchandise Sales Purchases

11,665. £,66B.

Direct Costs Salaries and Wages Utilities Other Expenses

22,640.

2,756.

17.699.

Administrative & General Expense Salaries and wages Insurance Advertising Caretaker Printing - Historic Nantucket Office supplies and expense Town of Nantucket-Police Protection Booklets .

Professional fees Utilities Dues and subscriptions Interest expense Miscellaneous

5,^57.

919.

1,114.

2,S35.

3>513.

1,3^7.

1,500.

1,5&L. 1,761.

425.

72.

246.

1,429.

Loss from operations Other income and expenses Fire damage to exhibits Insurance proceeds $7,162.

Donations received 3,477.

Less cost of reconstruction Interest & dividends rec'd net of custodial fees of $634.

Excess of income over expense

10,639.

5,303.

5,331.

10,623.