Historic Nantucket, Summer 1992, Vol. 40 No. 2

SUMMER

1991

From The Director

P

lease review the brief financial statement for 1991 at the centerfold, and come to our annual meeting at the Congregational Church, Tuesday ,July 14, at 4 p .m . We will discuss operations, the full financial report, and plans for the NHA's future in much more detail.

We began projecting a deficit. Yet admissions, membership, and Antiques Show revenues all rose significantly. Costcutting was achieved in a number of expenditure areas. This performance brought us through at a time when many other New England museums reported significant declines. In the early months of 1992, annual appeal and membership revenues continue to increase.

Nevertheless, NHA must have a firmer fiscal basis for long-term stability. Conventional wisdom says we are not really stable unless at least one quarter of revenue is derived from its permanent endowment. NHA receives one tenth of its revenues from endowment. Obviously, we must increase fixed endowment at least threefold to achieve fiscal stability. We are faced with the alternatives of cutting back operations and holdings, continuing to struggle "near the edge, "or increasing the endowment to fulfill our most important mission . I know I can count on you to help us "take a round turn" on this issue .

Preservation of Nantucket's priceless heritage is our raison d'etre. I hope it is as important to each of you as it is to me that the mission succeeds!

Maurice E. Gibbs THE NANTUCKET HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION OFFICERS

We couldn't do it without you ...

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Recognition of Our Committed Supporters

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Museum Support Center Capital Campaign Items of Interest

The Museum Shop

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Historic Nallldrtt (ISSN 0+39-2248) is published quarterly and disttibuted u a privilege of membership by lhe Nantucket Historical

Assocladon, 5 Washington StRet, Nantucket, MA 02554. Stcondclass poslaSC paid at Nantucket, MA. Postmaster: Seod address changes to Historic Nallldrtt, Box 1016, Nantucket, MA 02554-1016. FAX 508.228.5618

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joseph]. McLaughlin, President H. Flint Ranney, Vice President Walter Heinecke, Jr. , Vice President Ms. Nancy A. Martin Evans, Secretary and Assistant Treasurer Paul A. Wolf, Jr. , Treasurer Maurice E. Gibbs, Executive Director

BOARD OF TRUSTEES Mrs. Charles Balas Mrs. C. Marshall Beale Mr. Max N. Berry Mrs . Richard Brecker Mr. Charles C. Bull Ms. Kimberly C. Corkran Mr. Earle M. Craig, Jr. Mr. john W. Eckman Mrs. Thomas H. Gosnell Mr. Erwin L. Greenberg

Mrs . William E. Grieder Mrs . Bernard D. Grossman Mr. Hudson Holland, Jr. Mrs. Earle MacAusland Mrs . William B. Macomber Mrs . Carl M. Mueller Mr. David M. Ogden Mrs . William L. Slover Rev . Georgia Ann Snell Mrs . Bracebridge H. Young

ADVISORY BOARD Mrs . Robert Bailey Mrs. Donna Beasley Ms. Patricia A. Butler Mr. Robert C. Caldwell Mrs. Helen Winslow Chase Miss Nancy A. Chase Mr. Michael de Leo Mrs . Herbert Guuerson Prof. William A. Hance Mrs . Hamilton Heard, Jr. Mrs. Nina S. Hellman Mrs. john G. W . Husted Mrs. Arthur jacobsen

Mrs. jane Lamb Mr. Andrew]. Leddy Mr. Reginald Levine Mrs . Sharon Lorenzo Mrs . Thomas Loring Mr. William B. Macomber Mr. Paul H . Madden Mr. Robert F . Mooney Prof. F. Blair Reeves Prof. Susan Tate Mr. Donald E. Terry Mrs. Mark White Mr. johnS . Winter Mrs. joseph C. Woodle

EDITORIAL BOARD Mrs. Dwight Beman Ms. Elizabeth Oldham Mr. Richard L. Brecker Mr. Nathaniel Philbrick Mr. Gene Horyn Mr . H . Flint Ranney Mr. Robert F. Mooney Mrs . Susan Beegel Tiffney

AT THE

NHA

Structures Update

T

he phased restoration plans for Greater Light began this year with the repair of the leaded crown bullion windows and the leaded french doors. Kai Columbo and Mio Cohen of Shard's Glass Studio in Peabody, Massachusetts , performed the window and door restoration work. Where necessary, reproduction wooden frames were made; throughout the summer the Structures Department will restore components of the window and door frames as they reinstall the window sashes and doors. Shard's Glass Studio was responsible for the window restoration at the Jethro Coffin House and we are thankful to have retained their services once aga in .

"A work of artl " said Dick Swain, NHA Miller, after inspecting the replicated turning-spar wheel before its installation by the Structures Department. A perfect fit was assured when numerous photographs and a portion of the previous wheel's axle mechanism were sent to the Witmer Coach Shop.

That info rmation paved the way fo r a clear and visual dialogue between Mark W. Fortenberry, Curator of Structures, and the technicians who fabricated the new wheel in Pennsylvania. The new wheel is now in its rightful place and operating smoothly .

The Old Mill's four vanes, which were seriously damaged in the storm last fall,have bee n repaired and are presently catching the wind in their sails. The American Society of Mec hanical Engineers will award the Old Mill its National Landmark Designation during a plaque-presentation ceremony in early October. Diane Ucci and Mark Fortenberry designed a commemorative brochure for the A.S.M.E. that will be distributed to all those attending the ceremony and will be available to A. S.M.E. and NHA members , schools, and universities offering courses on the history of technology.

A new and more suitable location on Bartlett Road has been chosen for our Museum Support Center building, and construction should now be under way . The relocation was contingent on the results of various testing required by the State Building Codes such as soil-bearing capacity, which determines the soil's ability to support the building, and the approval of revised foundation and septic drawings. Other requirements that have been satisfied were the Historical Districts Commission's Certificate of Appropriateness and the special permits and

Bruce Courson, former Curator of Interpretation, behind the scenes at the Thomas Macy Warehouse.

Photo: Diane Ucci

variances required by the Town's Zoning Board of Appeals. A new site plan has been drawn showing the building's placement on the land with the access and approved parking areas.

The information was accumulated by determining the septic system location; availability of utilities; compliance with front , side, and rear setback dimensions; and screening from the abutting areas and entrance road.

Dick Swain, NHA miller, inspecting the replicated turning-spar wheel before installation.

Photo: Mark W. Fortenberry

Moving On ....

A

s of June l, 1992, Bruce Courson, former NHA Curator of Interpretation, moved on to become the Executive Director of the Museum of Yachting in Newport, Rhode Island. Bruce came as a consultant to the Nantucket Historical Association from his exhibits-design firm in New Bedford. He advised on the addition to the Whaling Museum- theN avigation Room-and when the project was completed, former administrator John Welch hired Bruce as Curator of Interpretation. In the seven years he held the curatorial position, Bruce's thrust was to improvethe organization's public identity, which he accomplished by designing exhibition spaces, brochures, and other publications.

The concept and design of the Museum of Nantucket History at the Thomas Macy Warehouse was perhaps Bruce's major contribution to the overall interpretive plan of the Historical Association. His creative flair and enthusiasm attracted many dedicated volunteers to assist him in the project.

Bruce's final exhibit- "Changing Landscapes"- is currently showing on the second floor of the Thomas Macy Warehouse.

When Bruce reflected on his Nantucket experience he felt he had seen the NHA become more responsive to community needs, and hoped it would continue to evolve from local interest to national importance. Looking ahead, Bruce expects his work for the Museum of Yachting will involve expanding its program both financially and physically.

Trisha Murphy, financial manager of the Historical Association for the last three and a half years, moved on to become the Assistant Town Clerk on May ll. Trisha came to the NHA after working as controller at the Wauwinet House, and her education and expertise changed the financial record-keeping here from a manual to a computerized system. She feels the organization has made great strides in terms of community and public outreach, and hopes to see it continue to utilize technology to professionalize itself. Trisha's birthday poems and interior-design techniques are missed by her colleagues, but we are happy that her desire to work more directly with the public is being fulfilled at the Town Building.

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A nostalgic odyssey, beginning with an eight-year-old's t~p . aboard the Lehigh Valley train, the Fall River line steamer Pnsc1lla, and, finally, the Sanka ty from New Bedford.

Memories of Sea and Sand

By Louise Stark Arnold

H

er sea and sand in fog, in sunlight,and in moonlight are among my most treasured memories of Nantucket Island. To get there, as I look back, was a monumental feat, but the anticipation of fun and friendships made everything worthwhile.

I must have been about seven or eight when my father and mother, older brother, two older sisters, and I first boarded the Lehigh Valley train in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, bound for New York City where we took the Fall River Line steamer Priscilla for an overnight voyage . The lovely dining salon had lots of red plush and gilt chairs, tables set with snowy napkins, and the most polite waiters I've ever seen.

Around Point judith the waters were often very rough, I remember, and I fell out of my bunk once. The boat stopped at Newport, Rhode Island, where a lot of men who worked in New York City, I suppose as investment bankers, disembarked . It must have been midnight, as I could see that it was very dark when I peeked out of the porthole. We reached New Bedford the next morning, and there we took the steamboat Sanhaty to Nantucket. I always became seasick while crossing the Sound.

We were met at the dock by an awful racket-the carriage drivers were all yelling at once, bellowing out the names of the hotels: "Roberts House, Ocean House, and 'Sconset, Beach House! Train leaves in minutes!" We and our luggage were put on the train as soon as we came off the boat, and as it chugged over the moors I recall thinking it was great fun to be way out in the country. Often passengers were allowed to stop and pick wildflowers, and at one place between Surfside and Tom Nevers Head I could see the ocean. In 'Sconset the station was downbank in Codfish Park.

From there a carriage conveyed us to Beach House, right on the ocean bluff.

I learned to swim on the 'Sconset beach, where Father watched all three of us very carefully as the surf was very tricky . When I'd return covered with the red seaweed that was always in the water I'd complain, and Mother would say, "That seaweed is good for you; it is

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full of iodine ." I remember that actor Bob Hilliard always had a valet with him to hold his brocaded dressing gown while he went in swimming. As a fifteen-year-old, I envied the "young power group," made up of "Bitlet" Roberts, "Ferdie" and "Katink" Starbuck, one of my sisters, "Bobsy" Hills, and "Brownie" Freeman, who would lie in their bathing suits on their stomachs in a sort of sacred circle after they swam. They were about three years older than I. In later years a fringe benefit of swimming at Squam Beach and becoming curious about the weird, gloomy old house nearby , known as Chadwick's Folly, was a friendship with Grace Brown Gardner. She was a fascinating Nantucketer who knew everything there was to know about Nantucket and had many old papers and newspapers as well as an extensive collection of Nantucket books.

Author's Collection

When I asked if I might take them home, she said, "No, but anytime you want to do research at my home you are welcome ." I often took her for rides in the fall when the moors looked so pretty, and in the spring when the shad bush and the beach plum were in bloom.

At eighty-five she was studying Italian. She was a most exciting person to know. To this day I certainly miss her.

Once I was swimming peacefully by myself in the ocean off 'Sconset near where the Sankaty Beach Club is now. Years later I went all the way up to the top of Sankaty Light. The lightkeeper said, "You used to swim at Gin Gulch (I don't know why it was called that).

Often I'd see sharks all around there . ... But, you know, I've never heard of a shark biting anyone in Nantucket."

Fishing memories began early and late .

There used to be dories up on the beach, and I often watched the 'Sconseters haul them out and catch cod or whatever was running. My husband, Robert Stark, was the fishing enthusiast in our family. At first we spent wonderful summers at our 'Sconset cottage, "Noantum."

When Bob was head of the Nantucket Coast Guard in World War II, he bought 90 Main Street in Nantucket Town, and we stayed all year round. He had the firstjeepon the island, and we'd go out to Great Point and Smith's Point to surfcast. Other people drove cars with big tires.

Once my husband asked Eddie Coffin , an old time 'Sconseter, if he had ever been to Great Point. When he said, "No, I've never been there," Bob asked "Would you like to go there7" And he said,"Shoouh" (sure) . So Bob said he would pick him up. Eddie must have been eighty, and he'd never been to Great Point. In early days very few people went there, except the lighthouse keeper. I wouldn't think of going now with all the lures buzzing past one's ear. The Point is probably like Coney Island. No, thank you!

When we first went fishing, islanders like Gibby Manter and Dewey Sandsbury did what they called "heave and haul." They had a pile of cod line in a coil with lead "drail" attached .

Islander Gibby Manter proudly displaying the day's catch.

Photo: Courtesy of his daughter, &rtha Manter Arnold

It was shaped to represent the smaller fish that attracted the surface-feeding bluefish or bass and to act as a weight like today's lures.

The drails were swung at an angle above the head with increasing momentum. When the handline was released, the drail was sent in an arc out over the water as far as a line cast from a rod. When the men got a strike, they would pull the drail in rapidly to avoid dragging it on the bottom. They caught plenty of fish, those old guys.

Dewey Sandsbury was an old timer, and he made the most wonderful drails. Molten metal was poured into a soapstone mold, which was fashioned at one end to allow a hook to be securely imbedded in the metal when it cooled. The drail was pierced at the opposite end so that the line could be attached. Someone told me that Dewey melted down old pewter that had been in his family, probably for hundreds of years. I'll bet that pewter was worth a fortune I I always used his drails. I also used a rod, but I was never very expert at either method. My husband and my son Bobby were both good casters. I used to have a lot of Dewey's drails, but I think I gave them to a fisherman when I didn't fish anymore.

In later years, Alan "Bruddy" Royal was a fisherman to emulate. We'd all fish and fish, right at the rip at Great Point, and nobody would get much of anything. Maybe one person would get one fish. Meanwhile, Bruddy would sit in his Jeep and watch for feeding gulls, always an indication that a school of fish was there. He must have had fantastic eyesight. He and other fisherman had their own stands on the beach, and nobody interfered with anyone else's stand. All of a sudden Bruddy would leap out of the Jeep, grab his

rod, and cast. And, by George, everytime he'd get a fish! I soon learned to move when Bruddy moved.

Bob and I fished mostly in the fall for bluefish and bass. Everybody caught blues and bass. I don't remember ever getting more than two bass; I wasn't that great at casting, but I enjoyed it. If the fishing wasn't any good at Great Point, we'd go to Smith's Point.

Sometimes we'd do both ends of the island in the same day.

On the chance that I might tire of fishing, I took my paintbox along, and sometimes the fog rolled in and I was furious . I wanted to do that beach. Then I thought, well, I might as well do the fog. It was lots of fun, and I spent the whole day there . Bob was happy fishing and talking to the men while I'd putter with my paints. That's how I started to do fog pictures. I sold every one I ever did!

On beautiful moonlit nights we might fish and come home late with our catch. Bob would cook the fish right then and there. Oh, they were the best things I ever tasted! Bob was a better cook than I was; he used to gut and fillet the fish and just saute the fillets . Of course we were starving hungry by then.

Wow! They were good!

Once when I was off 'Sconset in a boat, I caught a bluefish on a handline. I asked the 'Sconseters how they cooked it, and they said,"You stuff it and put bacon on top." The bluefish itself is terribly rich. It was marvelous. I haven't had one like it since.

We used to have wonderful beach picnics when more people began to drive Jeeps. We'd check on which way the wind was blowing, decide upon a good place, and then meet at different spots on the beach: on the south shore, at Smith's Point, or even on Nantucket

Harbor. I remember one picnic right in front of our house at Squam where there were probably twenty Jeeps.

We'd hire Joe Nichols and a friend to prepare lobsters and steaks. They were delicious grilled on the beach. Louise Melhado would bring tempting salad greens from her own garden and someone else would bring potato salad . We'd sit on the beach and have a drink while Joe fixed the steaks. When he couldn't come, Gene Ruley came. He was attached to "Kacky" and "Hammy" Heard's mother's family. Kacky always brought a wonderful dessert. We'd all come home full of marvelous food, sunshine, and a touch of gossip.

Another culinary triumph was a 'Sconset Beach Club clambake fixed right on the beach at Gin Gulch by Jim Coffin and his son Earl.

They arrived early in the morning to dig the pit and build a fire to heat the rocks on which all the food layers were assembled in sequence and alternated with seaweed layers.

Then the whole mound was covered with a tarpaulin that was anchored all around to contain the steam.

Jim Coffin's traditional menu always reminded me of similar $1.50 Wauwinet House clambakes I enjoyed in the horse-and-carriage days. There would be lobsters, clams, two kinds of potatoes, and sausages-topped off with watermelon for dessert. In those summers we'd swim first in the harbor and then in the ocean. We'd sit in the rocking chairs on the front porch of the Wauwinet House and look at the harbor and the sailboats. After we'd eaten the mammoth lunch, we'd drive home sunburned, tired, and full. It was a whole day's project.

At Gin Gulch the Coffins put up long trestle tables and always tried to serve by two o'clock. They never had any fancy hors d'oeuvres, and beer was the only alcoholic beverage served . It was beer and crackers, period. Littlenecks came first, then the main course, and finally the watermelon. Everything that was cooked tasted like lobster and the butter was always boiling hot. None of these has ever tasted as good as then. The picnics and clambakes share the same beach magic in my memory.

My time spent on Nantucket had memorable moments, which I still cherish. Only a few are recalled here, but perhaps there will be other occasions to share. The qualities of life on Nantucket, both past and present, contain many elements worthy of recording.

Louise Stark Arnold studied at Vassar College and wrote for the college magazine, The Vassarian. She came to Nantucket in 1917 and has summered here ever since. She continues to paint the island's "never ending moods" and will do so as long as she can hold a brush.

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Accounts of various island enclaves and how they improved the shining hours of summer

Summer Rituals: Wauwinet to Tuckernuck

By Diane Ucci

P

eople who have lived or summered on Nantucket have spent their leisure time and celebrated holidays in various ways.

Each area of the island has its distinct flavor, defined by its occupants and their lifestyles: a colony of actors in 'Sconset, children's parades in Wauwinet, sailing lessons at the Yacht Club, and quahoging off Tuckernuck. Participants in those summer rituals have considered their event the hub of activity Homespun on the island and seemed blissfully unaware of what was going on outside their own small enclave.

Barbara Osborne, now a year-round resident, has vivid memories of 'Sconset in the 1930s when her mother, Marguerite James Wangler, ran the Island Theatre during the summer and lived in the Actors' Colony.

Barbara frequently helped backstage and knew many of the actors, including Broadway actress Patricia Collinge, who lived down the street from the Wanglers with her grandmother. The grandmother, dressed in black lace from head to toe and wearing buttoned boots, went for daily walks and Barbara accompanied her.

Marguerite Wangler was director of the

Percy Haswell (Mrs. George Fawcett), and Ma ry Sargent were among the talented performers in the Island Theatre productions.

Ticket prices ranged from $. 40 to $2 .20, including tax.

Hamilton "Hammy" Heard remembers being in the children's summer theatre productions at the Nantucket Yacht Club in the late 1940s. Known as the "Nantucket Follies," they put on a rePhoto: Courtesy of Jane U.mb vue called "On the Isle ." Don Wauwinet theatre group circa 1920.

Russell was usually the bandleaderMcCarter Theatre in Princeton, New Jersey, director and parents helped with costumes and she teamed up with Robert Ross, director and scenery. Hammy was always in the choof the Beach Theatre in West Falmouth, to rus, and he remembers his favorite number: bring talented actors up from Broadway for Dick Gifford and Rayne Herzog singing an performances on the Cape and Nantucket. animated version of "Me and My Shadow."

Along with theatre, Hammy remembers Productions were also offered every Monday and Tuesday evening at the Nantucket Yacht taking sailing lessons from Toppy Lindsey, Club, where Marguerite eventually had an whose "hands-on" learning philosophy inoffice. By the late 1930s the theatre program cluded telling his students "just get in the boat began to wane because bringing talent to the and follow me." And follow him Hammy did, island was so difficult, and Marguerite's work with the result that at age twelve he was giving in Princeton required more of her energies. sailing lessons himself on an informal basis, But while it was up and running it allowed the picking up people at Children's Beach and island community to partake of some first- taking them out for a sail. His youngest pupil class entertainment that even the mainland was the current Rear Commodore's son, Jeff would envy. Actors such as Burgess Meredith, Verney, "who learned to sail before he could

Island Theatre production "LDvers' Meeting." circa 1936.

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Photo: Courtesy of Barbara Wangla Osborne and Elizabeth Wangler White.

speak." When Hammy was fourteen his favorite race was the first of the season when "anything goes" and the crews could adorn the sails with whatever struck their fancy.

After the race there was a picnic at Pocomo and on the return trip a game of "ball tag" between boats.

Hammy's love affair with sailing continued into adulthood. Most of his courtship with his wife Ginger took place aboard the Yankee vessel Ariel, and when Ginger and Hammy married they carried on the love of sailing as a strong and lasting family tradition.

On the Sunday before Labor Day they hosted an event called the "Rat Race," sending an invitation that read "You are NOT invited to the Rat Race if it rains." If the sun shone, however, large, intermediate, and small rats, as well as mice (the grandchildren) were in attendance. The "water rats" came around to Hulbert Avenue by sea, costumed as King Neptune or other fanciful characters from the ocean. The tradition carried on until Hammy's parents died, and was rekindled with the birth of his and Ginger's first grandchild.

On opening day at the yacht club, Hammy's grandchildren enjoy the same ritual he did when he was a youngster. The season begins with the festive flag-raising ceremony, and while the flags are being raised you can still see children climbing on the anchor in the background. During the flag-raising, new officers are announced and club members who have died in the past year are remembered.

The yacht club was also famous for its Saturday night dinner dances throughout the summer-black-tie affairs where people danced the night away to great band music.

The season ended with the costume ball on the Saturday of Labor Day weekend, and one year the C. C. Gifford children came dressed as the Kennedy family. The dance went on all night, and Sunday was spent recovering before bidding farewell to the island and returning to the "real world" on Monday.

Just as the yacht club in town had itsflagraising ceremony, Jane Lamb, an eleventhgeneration Nantucketer, remembers the Wauwinet Yacht Club having an opening celebration of its own. The Wauwinet Yacht Club was founded in 1876 and is the secondoldest registered yacht club in the United States. It has had as many as a hundred and fifty members, and in the early days they raced the Nantucket Yacht Club for the Lillian Cup, which derived its name from the steam yacht-and later, catboat-Lillian, which began its trips between town and Wauwinet also in 1876.

The Wauwinet Yacht Club's official openingfor the season took place on July Fourth at a gathering on someone's lawn or, if it rained, in a garage or living room; refreshments were served. Although the meetings were informal, serious matters were discussed for the Wauwinet Yacht Club was responsible for organizing the season's social and recreational activities, such as tennis tournaments and field days.

When the business meeting adjourned, the local children paraded in a circle around the old Wauwinet House and into the Crow's Nest compound. Each summer the parade had a different theme, defined by what was current or popular at the time. The group was so small that you might have missed it if you blinked, but the children of Wauwinet

marched proudly in their cleverly designed, handmade costumes. Prizes were given for the most authentic and original each year.

Wauwinet's Fourth of July celebration centered around the family, as did other activities. The people who lived and summered in Wauwinet "always made their own fun," according to Jane Lamb, who has lived there all her life. Throughout the summer children played at potato races, kick-the-can, flashlight tag, and scavenger and treasure hunts.

Families traveled en masse to Coatue for sumptuous aU-day picnics.

The families in Wauwinet were a closeknit group, and the community was selfsufficient in many ways. In the early 1900s, residents raised the funds to build a community center that served both for worship services and entertainment.(Later it was moved up next to the Wauwinet House from its original location on the beach.) A minister went out from 'Sconset on Sundays, and members of the Actors' Colony and other local residents would put on theatrical presentations in the same setting. The people of Wauwinet felt little need to travel into town for entertainment because life out there was so satisfying. Although the summer population is more transient now than when Jane Lamb was a girl, she maintains that "once you get sand in your shoes" out in Wauwinet, you keep coming back.

Walter Spencer Barrett has collected some sand in his shoes from time spent in Madaket and Tuckernuck. Walter was born on Nantucket in 1917 and lived on Fair Street until eight years ago when he moved to Madaket.

However, he has spent over thirty years caretaking houses in Madaket and Tuckernuck

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and transporting passengers, in all kinds of bluefish for breakfast on many occasions. All messages and receiving fruit or candy fo r her weather, to and from Tuckernuck in his work the cooking was done on a three-burner kero- efforts. boat. sene stove.

Treats such as candy were a ra rity duri ng People lived year-round and went to Despite the supposed absence of" creature summers on Tuckernuck. On rainy days the school on Tuckernuck in the 1800s, and comforts" on Tuckernuck, Ruth doesn't re- children shared in the simple pleasure of summering began there around 1920. Henry member feeling deprived. Her mother , Della making fudge and a special candy that was Cabot Lodge's father was a summer resident, (Crowell), was of the "old school" and didn't rolled in powdered sugar. There were also and he also died there. There were about six want her family living as "savages." Ruth and crocks of rising bread everywhere because families who consistently came to her sister wore dresses when they weren't in Della enjoyed baking for her family . A highTuckernuck, and still do. The number of bathing suits, and there were three sit-down light of the season was a sail over to Madaket people on the tiny island at the height of the meals a day, complete with crisp, pressed for ice cream. season averages sixty.

In 1938, when Ruth was ten years old , Walter feels people chose Tuckernuck her family bought a house in Madaket , and as a refuge because they had friends there from that point on summers had a slightly to begin with. Families who discovered different style from those on Tuckernuck. this little jewel many years ago spent their The Chapels had a phone, and they traveled leisure time fishing, swimming, and pickinto town by car once a week for groceries. ing rosa rugosa hips for jam and beach Many of the families in Madaket had large plums for jelly. He believes that people vegetable gardens that keptthem adequately who have been going to Tuckernuck for supplied with produce, but Ruth's father years understand its rhythm, but that "new"was a fisherman and had a real dislike for comers have a hard time adjusting to some gardening," so they never kept one, except of its isolation." for a Victory Garden during World War II .

Walter remembers quahoging off Living in Madaket meant that basic neTuckernuck throughout the summer, becessities were more readily available , and ginning as early as March "unless there was ice cream was no longer accessible only by a cold snap." He would go out with eight boat. Madaket Millie (Mildred Jewett) had or ten friends who rowed against the wind a small general store where she sold ice so they could come back with the tide; cream ("flavors white, brown, tan, and they ground the quahogs and sold them to pink"), candy bars, and bread. She also kept the Chanticleer and Nobadeer restaurants. a watchful eye on fifteen-year-old Ruth and Walter and his buddies also did a lot of Left to right: Ruth Ellen, james Everett, Jr., and Mary her friends when they J¡oined "those cute eeling from a skiff, luring the eels into a Susan Chapel on the steps leading to the beach on Coast Guard boys," to swim in the surf, an adventure that had been forbidden when pot. Walter considered those activities Tuckemuck in 1933. both work and play, and the time spent in Photo: Courtesy of Ruth Chapel Grieder they lived on Tuckernuck.

For people living in Madaket, a highMadaketandTuckernuckgoodandsimple. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - "What would you want to complicate it for?" linen tablecloths. The Chapel children spent light of the Fourth of July celebration was a That simple life out on the western end of the their days swimming on the beach, which spectacular bonfire at the dump. Most of the island is something Walter treasures, and he Ruth recalls was exactly twenty-nine white summer residents were hardworking "fisher was a bit reluctant to share his memories: steps down from their door. Before naps on folk," and, as Walter Barrett put it, "Money "Don't want people to hear too much about it the veranda, Della would read to them from was so shy, you didn't have but a little green or it will foul things up."

Dickens and other classic authors. Late in the in your pocket. " Gathering at the dump for a Ruth Chapel Grieder is among those who afternoon Mr. Chapel, who fished seven days bonfire didn't cost anything, but it was an share Walter's s pe cia I attachment to a week, would drift by his Tuckernuck home exciting event that brought the Madaket people Tuckernuck and Madaket. Six generations of on the north bank. Della would greet him together.

Ruth's family have gone to Tuckernuck, start- with a megaphone to find out when he would So, while the folks in Madaket looked ing with her grandfather, Erastus Chapel, be home for dinner, and Everett would re- forwardtothebonfireatthedump,familiesin who arrived on Nantucket shortly after the spond by holding up the appropriate number Wauwinet gathered for their homespun paCivil War. Her father, Everett, was born on of fingers. rade, children at the Nantucket Yacht Club Tuckernuck, as was her brother James. Ruth This system of communication was simi- climbed the anchor to view the flag-raising, grew up at 31 Union Street and started spend- larto that of Ruth's grandfather, Erastus, also and actors staying in 'Sconset prepared for ing summers on Tuckernuck when she was a fisherman, and her grandmother, Marietta their next performance. Those island neighnine months old. She, her sister Mary, and (Smith). ForoverthirtyyearsErastusworked borhoods established their separate rituals brother James would leave town on their at the Lifesaving Station on Muskeget Island, and celebrations, based on the needs and father's fishing boat, her parents watching the and late in the day Marietta would go up to the wants of their inhabitants. And though no tides carefully so the boat could get as close to cupola of their house and watch Erastus set place was very far from another, each had its shore as possible on the high tide. They sail from Muske get. Then she would head own style. It is the contrast in styles that gives brought dry and canned goods and powdered downstairs to prepare the evening meal, to be Nantucket the distinct and wonderful qualimilk with them and when Ruth's father went ready upon his arrival. Communication be- ties remembered and treasured today as they out on fishing trips he made trips into town tween people on Tuckernuck had to be ere- blend together over the years into summer for other staples. There was no refrigeration ative for there were no radios, and the only memories. on Tuckernuck, so any meat or poultry that phone back then was one with a crank handle was purchased had to be cooked immedi- located at the eastern end of the island that Diane Ucci is Director of Education at the ately. The Chapels frequently had meals of hooked up with the Madaket Coast Guard Historical Association and Managing Editor of mackerel, codfish, or bluefish-having fried Station. Ruth remembers hand-delivering Historic Nantucket.

27

WE COULDN'T DO IT WITHOUT YOU lunteer Feedback In March, Gay! Michael, Director of Development and Public Relations, sent out a volunteer-assessment questionnaire to gain some insight into establishing more productive relationships with our invaluable volunteer force . One-third of the forms were returned from volunteers who have worked for the NHAone-to-ten years. Some wrote lengthy letters telling us what they found rewarding as well as what might be improved in our program . Volunteers enjoy the opportunity to learn new skills and meet new people, and

they felt the staff appreciated their efforts.

They would like to see more in-depth orientation, specific feedback on projects, fewer repetitive tasks, and more scope for advancement. Overall, respondents rated our volunteer program above average, are committed to the mission of the Historical Association, and want to continue working with us.

Volunteers: Your input is invaluable to keep our program going. We need your suggestions and your support!

Recent Ac uisitions The NHA's collection has been enhanced recently by some wonderful donations. Mr. and Mrs. William K. Macy Ill and William Macy, Jr., gave us six beautiful portraits of important family members: Jonathan Macy, 1750-1816; his wife Rose Pinkham 17581853;Josiah Macy, 1785-1872; his wife Lydia Hussey, 1786-1871; William H. Macy, 180487; and Silvanus Macy, 1833-1903. The portraits are now on display at the Thomas Macy House, 99 Main Street.

Revitalization of Greater Light's Sunken Garden Mrs. Gale H. Arnold, a former NHA volunteer, has donated the funds to revitalize the 1930s sunken garden of the Monaghan sisters, who built and owned Greater Light. The three-year project will be completed

by Lee Campanale Landscape, specialists in large perennial gardens, including "Moors View," the Samuel Roberts houseoff Polpis Road. Refurbishing the garden will be in memory of Mrs. Arnold's mother, Betty Palmer, and the transformation will begin this summer. Although the house is closed for restoration, visitors may wander into the garden and watch it come alive, recapturing the magic that the Monaghan sisters were so famous for creating.

Judy Pardee of Waterford, Connecticut donated a small whale-ivory signet ring engraved with the initials "MC". Subsequent research disclosed that the ring belonged to Mary Crosby Coffin, 1816-78. The ring will be on display this summer at the Whaling Museum along with a large and important collection of scrimshaw recently donated by Mr. Fred Gardner.

One Hundred Years' Worth Of Records • Co pu eriZ Thanks to the diligence of many people, the Collections Department has completed the first phase of a computerized database for the NHA's accession records. In October, the collections staff, along with some dedicated volunteers, began the arduous task of organizing accession records, which date from 1894, and entering them into the computer, enabling the staff to retrieve information about any object in the collection quickly and efficiently. The database will facilitate accurate record keeping as well as save a great deal of time. Curator of Collections Mike Jehle, his assistant Maureen Dwyer, and Registrar Peter MacGlashan thank all who contributed their time to this project. It would not have been accomplished so quickly without the help of: Howard Crise, Rosanna LaBonte, Ron Thompson, Bernice Witten, Kari Blyda, Kerry McCarthy, and Sharon O'Mahoney. Thanks for all your help in making it a successful and productive winter!

Theater Treasures from s This spring, after Diane Ucci completed an interview with Barbara Wangler Osborne for her article, Barbara and her sister Elizabeth Wangler White generously donated their mother's theater scrapbooks to the NHA Research Center. Their mother, Marguerite James Wangler, ran the Island Theatre on Nantucket during the 1930s. Her scrapbooks are filled with wonderful memorabilia including a signed photograph of actress Dorothy Mackaill; clippings from Boston, New York, and Nantucket newspapers; playbills; tickets; and letters. We are grateful for this recent addition of theater treasures to our collections.

Actress Dorothy Stickney circa 1936, a photograph from the Island Theatre collection donated to the Research Center by Barbara Wangler Osborne and her sister Elizabeth Wangler White.

28

NHA Financial Statement for 1991

(with comparative figures for 1989 and 1990)

' In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Nantucket Historical Association as of December 31, 1991, and the results of its operations and changes in fund balances and cash for the year then ended, in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.' • Rodriques, Guckin & Tobojka, P.C.

Revenue & Expenses:

Public Support

Gifts, grants & bequests Annual Appeal Admissions & Special Events Total public support

$411,499

$332,588

$403 ,393

49,248

69,708

35,697

291 099

259 932

218 856

$751,846

$662,228

$589,699

$80,825

$64,595

$81 ,925

80,676

99,730

133,681

Revenue Membership dues Investment income Gains on investments

13,766

6,608

5,803

Museum Shop net income

28,033

61,810

62,009

Miscellaneous

88 586

98 585

52 927

Total Revenue

$291 886

$331 328

$336 345

Total support & revenue

$1 ,043,732

$993,556

$926, 044

Expenditures

ll..lU

lli..Q

ll.i..i

Exhibitions/Collections

$139 ,702

$198,830

$336,162

50,929

96,381

132,932

220,051

403,642

396,853

Research Center Property maintenance Publications

21,747

26,308

32,621

Development

85,393

120,463

74,124

Interpretation

39,248

210,572

114,413

120,404

13,673

16,931

16,918

Registra r

12,434

Admin./Unallocated Depreciation IDI!H!lli! !lllll!lDli!l

Total

12 Z!lZ

JO 42!1

Z225 $1,117,639

$806, 516

$987,394

ll..lU

lli..Q

ll.i..i

49,906

48 , 696

46,569

Thomas Macy Warehouse

19,912

23,324

29 , 380

Hadwen House

11 ,014

11 '707

9,859

Oldest House

9,028

10,849

Closed

Old Mill

5,262

7,032

7,307

Greater Light

3,017

5,041

3,257

1800 House

2,875

3,776

2,670

Research Center

1,017

567

Peter Foulger Museum

4,183

Closed

1,192

Closed

Closed

Closed

#

#

#

Admission

Totals

Whaling Museum

Macy-Christian House Fair Street Museum

Totals

106,214

110,992

100,234

• Research Center attendance included in Peter Foulger Museum totals. # Fair Street Museum leased to Egan Foundation. Reopens in 1992 under NHA auspices

with Artists Association of Nantucket's permanent collection on exhibit.

Although the official schedule did not include a visit toN antuc ket, the often rugged and unpredictable New England weatherforced President Roosevelt's party to seek shelter in the island's harbor onJune 19, 1933.

The Day the President Came to Nantucket

By Robert F. Cross

T

he morning was overcast and cool. A President Roosevelt at the helm, Amberjack II ture . "There was a little too much wind for us stiff breeze blew out of the north as the dropped anchor in Nantucket Harbor. Presi- to make the Cape, however. We ran down small schooner carrying the President of the dent Roosevelt and his convoy of destroyers, towards Handkerchief (Shoal), but when I United States rounded Brant Point and Coast Guard cutters, scout boats, and press found that conditions were not improving I dropped anchor in Nantucket Harbor. boats would spend the night ofjune 19 within decided to head for Nantucket and we came Fresh from his landslide election victory the comparative safety of those waters-the down with a good stiff breeze behind us," only seven months earlier, President Franklin destroyers remaining outside the jetties be- Roosevelt said . "I certainly enjoyed it. We Delano Roosevelt had chartered a forty-five- cause the channel could not accommodate took a little water, of course, but this is a fine ........--..----...-------...,, - - - - - - - - - , yacht and she behaves nobly in foot wooden-hulled schooner, Amberjack II, and set sail for a rough weather ." two-week holiday cruise along Charles Sayle, well-known the New England coast.

Nantucket ivory carver and The President scheduled the expert ship-model maker, recruise at the conclusion of the members very well the day the celebrated "100 days" of furiPresident came to town . "I was ous executive and legislative on my way out to go activity in which many of his quahoging," Sayle recalls . He now famous programs became was rowing his fourteen-foot law. The 73rd Congress had skiff Cypress and passed within adjourned and now the Presiabout 100 feet of the dent, too, was going to take a President's schooner. He says break.

Roosevelt gave him a wave .

Although the official schedSayle also remembers a conule had not included a visit to tingent of local officials headNantucket, the often rugged and ing out to greet the President in unpredictable New England Beatrice B., Captain Ed weather forced the President's Burchell's forty-foot fishing party to seek shelter in the sloop. According to newspaisland's harbor on june 19, per accounts, the reception 1933. party aboard the sloop included In a cable to the White William Holland, Harry House, Captain Vernou, who Studley, john E. Moore, john commanded one of the two deR. Killen, Walter Cady, Mrs. stroyers accompanying the Harry Studley, Miss Coleen President on his cruise, wrote Studley, Edwin Studley, Miss "Anchored Nantucket. Further President Roosevelt aboard Amberjack II in Nantucket harbor, june 19, 1933, as Lillian Burchell, Miss Beatrice movements indefinite. Depen- photographed by H. Marshall Gardiner.

Photo: Courtesy of H. Marshall Gardiner estate Burchell, Karl Satler, Mrs. Wildent on weather." liam Holland, MissjanetSnow, According to a report in the, Inquirer and their drafts. It could be factually recorded, Mrs. Ernest R. Terry, state officials Power and Mirror, "Heavy seas were running, however, therefore, that although other presidents had Cassidy, Frederic C. Howe, Captain W. E. and with the wind north-by-east, it was real- visited Nantucket, Roosevelt was the first to Burchell, Gilbert Burchell, Gilbert Manter, H. ized the trip around the tip of the Cape would sleep overnight within the island's confines. Marshall Gardiner, Leendert Lamens, be decidedly unpleasant, especially for land- The Inquirer and Mirror reported that some of Lawrence Pivirotto, R. R. Evans, William R. lubbers aboard the press boat, who were the newspaper men were "white around the Squires, and Andrew Librino. already showing unmistakable signs of sea- gills" from the rough seas, but President "Hundreds of people packed the wharves sickness."

Roosevelt was said to be in high spirits, hav- when Beatice B. put out to welcome the PresiThus, at about 11:15 in the morning, with ing enjoyed every minute of the sea adven- dent," the newspaper account states. "The

31

boat was unable to get near Amberjach II at fi rst, as the patrols were on their job with the Secret Service men on board and warned all other craft away fro m the yacht."

However, after the welcoming party identified itself and the Secret Service informed t he President, Roosevelt motioned for Beatrice B. to come alongside. Secret Service agents warned the Nantucketers to "come alongside slowly" and said that no one would be permitted to board the President's schooner .

After greeti ng and talking with the President and his party, the welcoming committee headed back to shorebut not before promisi ng to send copies of the day's newspapers out to Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt and a group of her friends greet the President and his crew at Southwest Harbor, Maine, june 25, 1933. him. (He speci fi ca lly Photo: Courtesy ofFDR Ubrary asked about the Inquirer and Mirror, which he re membered from an phlet describing the club.

Wharf Rat Club flag, which depicts a rat smokearlier visit to Nantucket. ) "On arriving alongside , we found the Presi- ing a pipe and holding a cane, was flying at the President Roosevelt then retired to his dent was asleep ," Commodore Coffin wrote foremast of the President's schooner. Arrivcabin for an afternoon nap while other mem- later that day in the club journal. "But we left ing alongside, the delegation found james bers of his party, including his son james, the chowder and flag and Mr. Price wrote on Roosevelt and his friends on deck,and james went ashore to tour the island. During the the booklet: 'please read this booklet.' The said the President was in the cabin but called afternoon, other enterprising Nantucketers small group left, promising they would return for him to come up. rowed townsfolk out , for a quarter a head, so to see the President at dinner time .

"He came up and sat by the rail, and Mr. they could get a closer look at their new Price introduced us all and we had a very President. pleasant chat. When we were about to come Charles Sayle recalls something else that ashore, I asked the President if he would shake happened about that time, and a frightening hands with Tommie and he said sure. So Tom thing indeed . A few days after Captain came and shook his hand. Some proud boy.

Burchell's boat, with its contingent of"official He then shook hands with me . A great time Nantucket" aboard, tied up alongside the for us all. He seems a fine man," concludes President's schooner , the boat Beatrice B. Coffin's journal. exploded off Great Point, killing its skipper The President, whose deep love of the sea and a crew member. An apparent gasoline began in early childhood, started planning his leak was blamed for the tragedy; had it hapcruise along the New England coast shortly pened only a few days earlier, it could have after his inauguration on March 4, 1933. In had an even more devastating result, reperApril of that year, the President made arrangecussions of which would have been felt far Wharf Rat Club flag. ments with Paul Drummond Rust,jr., of Bosbeyond Nantucket Harbor. ton, to charter his schooner for the summer As Roosevelt napped, another group of Price, who spent summers in his Old cruise.

Nantucketers was completing its plans to North Wharf cottage, was a friend of Rust had commissioned the construction visit the President. According to a journal Roosevelt's from New York . He and of Amberjach II in 1931 , and listed her maintained by the Wharf Rat Club, a few Roosevelt, who was then a state senator, had homeport as Marblehead, the location of the members of the club rowed out to see the been active twenty years earlier in the reform Eastern Yacht Club. The two-masted schooPresident, deliver some hot quahog chowder, movement that fought New York City's cor- ner was built by George Lawley & Son of and induct him as an honorary member of rupt Tammany Hall.

Neponset, Massachusetts, and had a Scripps that old, close-knit organization.

"So, at about 6:30, we went off again and motor as an auxiliary . Despite her modest Herbert H. Coffin, then Commodore, I was rowing," wrote Coffin. "When almost size, Amberjach II reportedly finished third in along with his thirteen-year-old son Thomas there, Mr. Price says: 'He has the flag up . I did the 1931 Transatlantic Race to England. Rust and Mr. and Mrs. joseph Price, delivered the not look as I thought he was joking.'" piloted Amberjach II, which was the smallest hot chowder, a Wharf Rat flag, and a pamBut it was no joke. The blue-and-white craft to participate in the grueling 3,000-mile

32

race. Thus, the Secret Service felt more confident with the Chief Executive aboard a vessel that already had proved her seaworthiness.

Amberjach II had a large main cabin with broad bunks on either side. Adjoining the main cabin was a stateroom equipped with heater, electric lights, table, and lockers. Large berths were on either side of the stateroom; the galley was equipped with stove, ice chest, and water pump, and there was a modern "head."

The angled wheel enabled the President to be in perfect control at the helm while in his customary sitting position.

As the summer of 1933 approached, plans for the President's trip took form . A confidential detailed schedule, "President's Cruise," was prepared by the White House. According to the schedule, the President first would travel by train from Washington to Boston on Thursday evening, june 15. Upon arrival in Boston the next morning, the President's baggage would be sent to Marion, Massachusetts, and put aboard Amberjach II, moored in a sequestered cove and guarded by Secret Service agents. The President would be driven from Boston to Groton, northwest of Boston, where his son, Franklin, Jr., would graduate from boarding school onjune 16. Following graduation ceremonies, the President would travel by car to Marion and board Amberjach II, ,

spending the night in the harbor.

Once it became known on Nantucket that the President might sail by the island on his way up the coast, the local political forces began moving. Newspaper accounts of the day indicate that William Holland, chairman of the board of selectmen as well as Nantucket's top Democrat, contacted officials to see if the Presidem could stop by the island. In addition, Alfred E. Smith, Nantucket's postmaster (no relation to the New York governor and 1928 Presidential candidate of the same name), also sent a formal invitation to Marion for the President to visit. Postmaster Smith's small business card, on which he inscribed "Welcome to Nantucket," remains to this day in the files of the FOR Library in Hyde Park, New York.

The President left Marion on Sunday, june 18, sailing to Hadley's Harbor, N aushon Island, where W. Cameron Forbes, former Governor General of the Philippines and former Ambassador to Japan, went aboard and took the President a basket lunch. After lunch, the President headed across Nantucket Sound. He had decided to pay a quick visit to Nantucket after receiving the invitations from Holland and Smith, but a squall forced him to anchor that night in Edgartown Harbor.

The next morning, the President decided

to forego the Nantucket stop and continue with his trip, which would take him around Cape Cod to Provincetown, Marblehead , Portsmouth, Portland, and, finally, to Campobello Island, New Brunswick, site of the Roosevelt family's summer home . But heavy seas around Handkerchief Shoalwhere eight-foot-high waves tossed Amberjack II and its flotilla around-forced another change in plans. Roosevelt altered course and made for Nantucket.

The President's love of the sea had its roots in the stories told him by his grandfather, Warren Delano II, who spoke of ancestors who built ships and sailed the seas. One of them, Ephraim Delano, was the captain of a whaling ship that sailed from New Bedford and Nantucket in the 1760s.

Roosevelt himself became a skilled sailor at an early age, skippering sloop-rigged ice boats on the frozen Hudson River at Hyde Park during the winter and frequently piloting his own twenty-one-foot sloop New Moon (given to him by his father on his sixteenth birthday) through the challenging waters of the Bay of Fundy near Campobello, where the young Roosevelt spent his summers.

Roosevelt found the sea relaxing and invigorating. Indeed, a year before he began the 1933 New England holiday that brought him

President Roosevelt and crew on the final leg of their 400-mile cruise from Marion, Massachusetts, to Campobello, New Brunswick.

33

Photo: Courtesy of FOR Ubrary

to Nantucket Harbor, Roosevelt had embarked on a similar journey, sailing from Port jefferson, New York, to Portsmouth, New Hampshire .

Throughout his presidency, Roosevelt valued the private time he could set aside . On his 1933 New England cruise, Roosevelt was determined to enjoy his vacation and vowed that he would not step foot on dry land the entire two weeks-and he kept that pledge .

As Nantucket selectman William Holland found out when he tried to coax the President ashore, Roosevelt was a man of his word.

The followi ng conversation between Holland and Roosevelt was reported by the Inq uirer and Mirror: "Mr . President, I bring you the greetings and well wishes of the people of Nantucket. We hope you are having a pleasant vacation trip and wish you could find time to come ashore and see the town, " Holland said from h is seat in Beatrice B. "Thank you, Mr. Holland," replied the President. "I certainly appreciate this welcome and your invitation to come ashore, but I do not intend to set foot on dry land for two weeks. I am having a bang-up good time, enjoying this cruise immensely, and I do not intend to go ashore anywhere along the coast. But some time I am coming to Nantucket again. It is thirty years since I have been here and I realize that lots of With President Roosevelt at the helm, Amberjack II arrives at Campobello Island on June 29, 1933, ending his elevenchanges must have occurred in day cruise along the New England coast.

Photo: Courtesy FDR Ubrary the meantime ."

"Yes, Mr. President, there have been many changes, we well know, " replied weather. Those Nantucketers told us it was for scrap.

The Roosevelt years from 1933 to 1945, Mr. Holland , "and we would like you to see going to be a fine day and here it is. Could not beset as they were by the nation's economic be better," observed the President. what Nantucket is today ."

Herb Coffin noted in his journal as the and social priorities and then by a world at "Rest assured, Mr. Holland, that I am Presidential flotilla sailed away: "The war, offered the President few opportunities coming to Nantucket sometime," said the President, "but this is my vacation and I am President's yacht left this morning at 6 a.m. for relaxing cruises. FDR's brief stay in the going to stay aboard this boat the whole two with the Wharf Rat Flag at its foremast head. harbor is a favorite Wharf Rat Club memory .

They will have a headwind around the Cape, In spite of his hopes, however, President weeks ."

Roosevelt would never again return to NanThe next morning, the sun was shining but she is a good boat for the trip."

The Amberjack II would be sold the next tucket. brightly over the hills of Shimmo as the President prepared to leave Nantucket Harbor. At year to a fellow on Long Island . She would 5:45a.m., with Roosevelt at the helm, Amber- have several more owners after that, and jack II set sail for its next destination, eventually be homeported in Milford, ConProvincetown. But again, the schedule necticut, where she served as the yacht club Robert F. Cross has summered on Nantucket changed, and taking advantage of the good for many years. Ultimately, she was sold to a since 1976, and is a member of the Wharf Rat weather the President sailed on to Gloucester Texan in 1969. About forty years after her Club and the Pacific Club. He is an awardhistoric visit to Nantucket, Amberjack II suf- winning newspaper and magazine writer from Harbor instead.

"The weather predictions they sent us fered severe damage in an accident while Albany. He currently serves as an assistant were all wrong, " the newspaper quotes being hauled on a marine railway at a Texas commissioner in New York State's Department Roosevelt. "Nothing the matter with this shipyard . She later was sold and broken up of Environmental Conservation in Albany.

I

I

34

In Recognition of Our Committed Supporters

FRIENDS OF THE NANTUCKET HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION Mr. john W. Eckman - President Mrs. Dwight E. Beman - Treasurer Mr. D. Eric McKechnie, Chair of Acquisitions Mr. & Mrs. joel Anapol Mr.& Mrs. Dwight E. Beman Mr.& Mrs. Max N. Berry Mr. Charles C. Butt Mr. & Mrs. Robert L. Champion Mr.& Mrs. Earle M. Craig, Jr. Mr. & Mrs. john W. Eckman Mr.& Mrs. Thomas Gosnell Mr. & Mrs. Seymour G. Mandell Mr. & Mrs D. Eric McKechnie Mr. & Mrs. H. Flint Ranney Mr. & Mrs. Robert M. Rosenthal Mr. & Mrs. joseph F. Welch Mr.& Mrs. john K. Whitney Mr.& Mrs. john S. Winter Mr. & Mrs. Brace bridge H. Young, Jr. The Friends of the Nantucket Historical Association was formed in 1986. lls purpose is to acquire, through a pooling of financial resources and coordinated effort, significant historic artifacts, permilllng the NHA to beller record and portray the island's history. Recent acquisitions of the Friends can be viewed in the exhibition of the newly reopened Peter Foulger Museum, or in the Whaling Museum's recently renovated Scrimshaw Room.

NHA LIFE BENEFACTORS

THOMAS MACY ASSOCIATES

Mrs. Loaine C. Arnold Mr. Michael S. Bachman Mr.& Mrs. Max N. Berry Mr. Charles C. Butt Mr. Bruce A. Courson Mr. & Mrs. Earle M. Craig, Jr. Mr. Jerry Daub Mrs. Paul H. Dujardin Mr. Richard K. Earle Ms.Catherine G. Ebert Mr. Robert 0. Ebert Mr. john W. Eckman Mrs. Charles E. Englehard Ms. Nancy A. Martin Evans Mr. Mark W. Fortenberry Mrs. H. Crowell Freeman Mr. Fred Gardner Mrs. Lee B. Gillespie Mr.& Mrs. james K. Glidden Mr.& Mrs. Richard]. Glidden Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Gosnell Mr.& Mrs. Hudson Holland, Jr. Mr. Kris Larsen Mr. joseph J. Mclaughlin Mr.& Mrs. Alan Newhouse Mr.& Mrs. David M. Ogden Mrs. Edgar V. Seeler Mr.& Mrs. H. Flint Ranney Mr.& Mrs. john K. Whitney Andrew E. Wise, M.D. Mr. Kenneth A. Wise Mrs. Bracebridge H. Young Mr. Brace bridge H. Young, Jr.

Mr. & Mrs. Max N. Berry Mrs. Evelyn E. Bromley Mr. & Mrs. Bruce A. Courson Mr. Earle M. Craig, Jr. Mr. & Mrs. Richard A. Drucker Mr.& Mrs. john W. Eckman Mrs. H. Crowell Freeman Mr. Robert A. Gambee CDR.& Mrs. Maurice E. Gibbs Mr. & Mrs. Hamilton Heard, Jr. Mr. & Mrs. Hudson Holland, Jr. Mr. Amos B. Hostetter, Jr. Mrs. Edward W. Lombard Mrs. Earle R. MacAusland Mr. & Mrs. William B. Macomber Nantucket Chamber of Commerce Nantucket Electric Company Pacific National Bank Mr. & Mrs. William L. Slover Mr. & Mrs. George A. Snell Rev. Georgia Ann Snell Sun Island Delivery Mr. & Mrs. Richard F. Tucker Mr. & Mrs. Robert C. Wright Mr. & Mrs. Roger A. Young

Those members who have supported the NHA with unsolicited contributions of $2,500 or greater.

35

Contributed $1,000 or more in response to the Annual Appeal, November 1991- May 1992

Each of Nantucket Historical Association's members is important to the Association and its commitment to preserve Nantucket's precious heritage.

We wish to recognize those who have been particularly generous in their giving.

HADWEN CIRCLE Mr. & Mrs. W. S. Archibald Mrs. Deborah]. Bryan Mr. Charles C. Butt Congdon and Coleman Mr. john H. Davis Mrs. john L. Ellicott Ms. Nancy A. Martin Evans Mr. & Mrs. George B. Gibbons Mr. & Mrs. Bernard D. Grossman Mr. & Mrs. james]. Hagan Mr. George F. Heyer,jr.

Mr. & Mrs. Thomas A. Holmes Mr. & Mrs. David S. Howe Mr. & Mrs. Robert B. Knutson Mrs. Roy Larsen Mrs. Paul Mellon Mr. & Mrs. Richard L. Menschel Mr. & Mrs. Richard F. Miller Mr. & Mrs. Robert F. Mooney Mr. F. Bartlett Moore Mr. & Mrs. Carl M. Mueller Nantucket Bank Mr. & Mrs. T. Peter Pappas Mr. & Mrs. Charles W. Phillips Dr. & Mrs. Frederic W. Pullen II Dr. & Mrs. Albert L. Rosenthal Mrs. L. William Siedman Mr. L. Dennis Shapiro Ms. Susan R. Shapiro Mr. Richard F. Smith Mr. & Mrs. james M. Stewart Mr. & Mrs. john Sussek Mr. & Mrs. E. K. Thrower Mr. & Mrs. F. Helmut Weymar Mr. & Mrs. Arnold A. Willcox Mrs. Bracebridge H. Young Mr. Brace bridge H. Young, Jr. Contributed $500 to $999 in response to the Annual Appeal, November 1991-May 1992

CONTRIBUTORS Anonymous Mr. & Mrs. C. Marshall Beale Mr. & Mrs. Thomas R. Brome Mr. & Mrs. Raymond B. Carey, Jr. Mr. & Mrs. Richard R. Congdon Mr. & Mrs. Martin F. Connor Mrs. Alexander M. Craig Mr. & Mrs. james L. Dunlap Mr. & Mrs. Gardiner Dutton Mr. & Mrs. Otis W. Erisman Mrs. Edgar G. Feder Mr. john P. Harcourt, Jr. Mr. & Mrs. William H. Hays III Mrs. Nina S. Hellman Mr. & Mrs. Arthur jacobsen Mrs. Sidney H. Killen Mr. & Mrs. Robert B. Knutson Mr. john C. Lathrop

Dr. & Mrs. jack M. Layton Mrs. jill L. Leinbach Mr. & Mrs. Francis D. Lethbridge Mr. & Mrs. j. Thomas Macy Mr. & Mrs. Donald F. McCullough Mr. & Mrs. Martin McKerrow Mr. joseph j. Mclaughlin Mrs. Richardson T. Merriman Mr. & Mrs. David B. Mosher Mrs. Henry A. Murray Mr. Daniel M. Reid Mr. & Mrs. William M. Silverman Mr. David G. Smith Mrs. Elizabeth S. Sanford Ms. Sue Ellen Stavrand Mr. & Mrs. William K. Tell, Jr. Mr. & Mrs. Paul A. Wolf, Jr. Mrs. joseph C. Woodle

Contributed $250 to $499 in response to Annual Appeal, November 1991-May 1992

We believe the above lists of significant donors to the NHA to be accurate for the period 11/91 through 5/92. We apologize for any inadvertent omissions. Please report discrepancies to the Executive Director.

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MUSEUM SUPPORT CENTER CAPITAL CAMPAIGN The Nantucket Historical Association wishes to recognize the extremely gener9us pledges or gifts we have received to build and endow the Museum Support Center as Phase One of its 1991-93 Capital Campaign. $300,000 or more Mrs. Thomas H. Gosnell

$100,000 to $299,999 Allegheny Foundation* $50,000 to $99,999

$25,000 to $49,000

$5,000 to $9,999

Friends of the NHA Osceola Foundation Trustees: Mrs. C. Marshall Beale Mrs. C. Hardy Oliver Mrs. Barbara Beinecke Mr. Walter Beinecke III

Mr. Charles C. Butt Mr. and Mrs. Max N. Berry Mr. & Mrs. Hudson Holland, Jr.

Mr. & Mrs. William B. Macomber Mr. & Mrs. H. Flint Ranney Mrs. Edgar V. Seeler

$10,000 to $24,999

$1,000 to $4,999

Mr. & Mrs. john W. Eckman Mr. & Mrs. joseph F. Welch

Gift of $250 to $999

Mr. & Mrs. john F. Akers Mr. & Mrs. W.S. Archibald Mr. Bruce B. Bates Mr. & Mrs. Robert H. Bolling Mrs. Martha A. Carr Congdon & Coleman Ins. Agency Mrs. Edgar G. Feder Mr. joseph Starbuck Freeman CDR Maurice E. Gibbs Mr. Walter Hayes Mr. & Mrs. William H. Hays III Mr. & Mrs. Richard H. Hoff Mr. & Mrs. David S. Howe Mr. & Mrs Robert B. Knutson Mr. & Mrs. Francisco A. Lorenzo

Mr. joseph]. Mclaughlin Mr. Edwin E. Meader Mrs. Paul Mellon Mr. Leeds Mitchell, Jr. Mr. & Mrs. Norman l.a.c Olsen Ms. Karen C. Schwenk Mr. & Mrs. Robert M. Scott Mr. L. William Seidman Mr. & Mrs. Thomas F. Shannon Mr. & Mrs. Robert B. Shetterly Mr. & Mrs. james M. Stewart Thomas Turner Chapter, S.R. Mrs. John H. Wallace Mrs. Richard]. Walsh

*The Allegheny Foundation has generously provided funds for all interior storage equipment.

We believe the above listed donor record to be accurate through May 15, 1992. Please report any discrepancies for update in future issues. If you want more information on this important effort to correct the serious problems of collection preservation and storage, contact the Executive Director.

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Mr. Walter Beinecke, Jr. Mr. Earle M. Craig, Jr. Mr. & Mrs. Peter A. Goldstein Mr. & Mrs. Arthur Gosnell Mr. & Mrs. Walker Groetzinger Mr. & Mrs. William H. Hays III Nina & Robert Hellman Mr. & Mrs. Scott C. Newquist Mr. & Mrs. V. Henry O'Neill Mrs. Richard A. Prate!

Mr. & Mrs. Daniel M. Reid Mr. & Mrs. Thomas M. Taylor Mr. & Mr. F. Helmut Weymar Mr. & Mrs Paul A. Wolf, Jr. Mrs. Bracebridge H. Young Mr. Roger A. Young

Up & Coming NHA lecture Series for 1992 Whaling Museum, Thursdays at 7:30p.m.

Antiques Show A special feature of this year's show is the addition of another full day to the event. We are moving the Preview back to Thursday evening, August 13, and the show will open Friday August 14, from ll a.m. to 8 p.m. in addition to the weekend hours, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The extra day also adds a lecture to our morning series, which takes place at lOo'clock Friday, Saturday, and Sunday mornings, by specialists in their fields.

The main lecture for the Antiques Show will be delivered Monday, August 10, by Carl Crossman, an expert on the China trade.

Details for all Antiques Show events will be included in invitations mailed this month.

William Seale Benefit Presentation William Seale, one ofthe nation's leading authorities on preservation and restoration of historic buildings, well-known author and former White House historian, will be giving an illustrated lecture that will explore the White House through its two-hundred years, with an emphasis on personalities and architecture. The presentation will take place Tuesday, July 14, and benefit the Museum Support Center. Immediately following the lecture there will be a reception, and Mr. Seale will sign copies of his new book, The White House: History of an American Idea.

Coffin Reunion On October 2-4 the Coffin family will have a reunion on Nantucket to celebrate the 350th anniversary of Tristram and Dionis Coffin's arrival in the Massachusetts Bay Colony. The celebration will also mark the establishment of the "Tristram and Dionis Coffin Memorial Fund," for the future dedication of a building or site on Nantucket to

honor the first Coffins on the island. Information on registration for the reunion may be obtained from Robert D. Smith, 1800 Manor Drive, Grinnell, Iowa 50112-0368, (515) 236-3134. For general information, David Coffin, editor of the "Coffin Family Newsletter, " can be written to at 8907 Mohawk Lane, Bethesda, Maryland 20817.

july 16 "William H. Chase's Weathervanes and Whirligigs," by Tom Montgomery August 20 "History of American Furniture," by Wayne Pratt September 17 "Nantucket Life-Saving," by Robert Caldwell Other Important Dates july 14 William Seale Benefit Presentation (details will be announced) july 18 Auction at the Fair Street Museum at 7:30 p .m., to benefit the Artists Association of Nantucket and the NHA Museum Support Center. Silent bids will be taken at the museum from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Reception begins at 6 :30p.m.

August 10 Annual August Antiques Show lecture, by Carl Crossman August 13 Annual August Antiques Show Preview, from 5 p.m. to 8 p .m.

August 14-16 Annual August Antiques Show September 7 Hours at historic sites change : 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

October 2-4 Coffin Reunion

Corrigenda

van son Despite a busy parenting schedule this spring,]o volunteered her time to make curtains and for the Macy-Christian House .

Photo: Diane Ucci

In the spring issue's "Bicycles and Nantucket" article, King Philips Run was incorrectly spelled with two l's; also, Sydney Folger was incorrectly spelled Foulger.

On page 12, the header for the "Early Aviation on Nantucket" article read "... the first hydroplanes arrived, unannounced, on what is now Chidren's Beach." They flew over Children's Beach, but landed near what is now the Maria Mitchell Aquarium.

On page 14, the photo caption read "Pitcairn auto-gyro ... " but according to member Gerry Foster it is actually the Fulton "Airphibian," which first flew in 1946.

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THE MUSEUM SHOP Welcome to the 1992 summer season and the Nantucket Historical Association's Museum Shop.

This season the Museum Shop is featuring the finest historical and museum reproductions. They include Virginia Metalcrafters sandcasted brass; Kirk Stieff pewter; Ashley Design china; other porcelain pitchers, vases, and plates from Mottahedah's collection; Cape Cod's Pairpoint Glass, operating since 1837; Warren Windsor chairs; and last but certainly not least, Eldred Wheeler Queen Anne and Chippendale furniture.

Eldred Wheeler's finely handcrafted Nantucket Blanket Chest will be one of the prizes raffled off at the Nantucket Historical Association Annual Antiques Show on August 16. Last summer Eldred Wheeler, in conjunction with the Museum Shop, contributed the reproduction eighteenth-century Flat Top Highboy as one of the raffle prizes, won by local residents Don and Norma Polvere.

The Museum Shop Staff would like to take this opportunity to thank the NHA membership for their continued patronage and look forward to seeing you in the shop this summer.

The Museum Shop Eighteenth- and Nineteenth-century Reproductions and Adaptations Featuring Fine China, Furniture, Brass, and Silver Adjacent to the Whaling Museum, Nantucket

(508)-228-5785 Members of the Historical Association are entitled to a 10% discount upon presenting their membership card .