the Light
We Can’t Wait to Welcome You Back!
IT FELT LIKE A LONGER WINTER than usual, but the daffodils and the cherry blossoms came back out, and the island is starting to get that great summer vibe! Robin and I have been busy getting ready to welcome everyone back for the season, and we can’t wait. As you will see in the following pages and hopefully from our Instagram posts, work at the Trust never sleeps, even in the off-season.
2026 started off with great trips this spring to Vero Beach, NYC, and D.C. for our three winter soireés. These are such great friendraisers and clearly showed that the enthusiasm and support for the Trust and all we are doing is incredibly strong.
In March, I attended a media event organized by the American Lighthouse Foundation and MotionInfo at Highland Light in North Truro. The event highlighted the plight of the endangered North Atlantic right whale and the efforts MotionInfo, its partners and StationKeepers are taking to help them. As the representative from the International Fund for Animal Welfare noted “strong public and private partnerships are essential if we are going to reduce the risks these whales face. Protecting right whales requires coordination between conservation groups [like ’Sconset Trust], government, technology partners, maritime industries and coastal
communities.” The Trust was excited to become MotionInfo’s first StationKeeper in Massachusetts and 19th nationally when we installed the equipment at Sankaty in the spring of 2025. To learn more about this initiative, click here: Right Whale Monitoring.
Back on island and in the office, we have been busy with:
• launching our new website;
• transitioning to a new donor management system – one exciting feature of which is the ability for members to create their own accounts, check on donation history and print annual giving statements for tax purposes;
• increasing our social media presence with the assistance of Karlee Rockstroh. If you aren’t already following us on Instagram, be sure to do so. Her posts have been creative, fun and informative;
• prepping for our amazing array of summer events;
• working with our wonderful Merchandise Committee to bring fun new offerings; and
• some spiffying up of our properties, with more to come.
I look forward to seeing you all at our 2026 Annual Meeting at 5 p.m. on Friday, July 3rd at the ’Sconset Casino for an update on the Trust’s activities. Once we are finished with the business side of things, we will have a celebration of you, our members, without whom none of what we do would be possible.
Julie Ruddick Meade, Executive Director
Campaign Wrap-Up and Thank You
By Bill Holding, President and Campaign Chair
IN 2024, THE TRUST rolled out an expanded mission as part of its 40th anniversary strategic plan. In addition to continuing with its legacy of conservation and preservation, this new charter included a request from our members to foster a healthy commercial center in the village. It also reflected a strong mandate to move with speed to acquire and protect properties deemed important to preserving the unique character of the village. To support this significant new effort, the Trust board launched a capital campaign called “Keeping ’Sconset,” with the ambitious goal of raising $15MM.
As we approach the two-year anniversary of this announcement, I am happy to report that our amazing
Linda Loring Nature Walks in Ruddick Commons and at LLNF
Ruddick Commons: July 7, August 4 and September 15; 8:30-10:00 a.m
LLNF (110 Eel Point Road): September 3; 9:30-11:00 a.m.
We are thrilled to be bringing back the popular and engaging nature walks led by Linda Loring Nature Foundation (LLNF). LLNF staff will be leading three walks at Ruddick Commons exploring the biodiversity of habitats in ’Sconset and one at LLNF’s property in Eel Point. Participants will be guided along trails with gentle terrain and educated about the unique flora and fauna found in Nantucket’s habitats. Registration (which is limited) is currently open and online at Calendar of Events.
LLNF is an environmental conservation nonprofit that stewards its 275 acres property on the northwest corner of Nantucket, engages in rigorous ecological research, and educates people of all ages, backgrounds, and identities. Click here to learn more: https://llnf.org/
community stepped forward to support the Trust and its 40th plan, pledging over $17MM to the campaign. These gifts have enabled the Trust to move ahead with key acquisitions, establish investment funds to help cover ongoing property expenses, and build a capital reserve so we’re prepared when our board identifies the next strategic opportunity to pursue.
At this year’s Annual Meeting on Friday, July 3rd we will provide a brief review of the Trust’s activities, formally close the Keeping ’Sconset campaign, and host a celebration party afterwards for all members. I hope you can join us for this annual Trust update, plus a fun get together to thank you for your generous support of our efforts to protect the village.
Tim Cashman, Chair
ALTHOUGH YOU MAY THINK off-season is a quiet time on Nantucket, the Land Conservation & Preservation Committee has been busy working on several projects. Spring clean-ups were performed in advance of both Daffy Weekend and Memorial Day Weekend to prepare for the upcoming summer season. Our trails and paths on Ruddick Commons, the Heller Trail, and the Burnell/’Sconset Trust Trail sustained winter storm damage but are now ready for hikers and all to enjoy.
Next on our summer agenda, be on the lookout for some fresh paint and updated signage on our light blue posts that mark the Trust’s various properties in and around the village of ’Sconset. All of the posts will receive our new updated signage, as we look to increase ’Sconset Trust brand awareness throughout the village. As a reminder to all visitors to our properties, if you see something that needs attention, please contact the office so that we may address any issues.
There have been continuous improvements made to the ACKTrails app with new features to improve the user experience. Please download the app so that you can explore our ’Sconset Trust trails and the other trails available through the app that are located on Nantucket Conservation Foundation or Land Bank Properties.
Land Conservation Report Committee Updates Preservation Report
Fremont-Smith, Chair
PRESERVING HISTORICALLY significant and architecturally distinctive buildings is at the heart of the Trust’s mission in and around the village. To achieve this, the Trust relies on a combination of education, advocacy, and Preservation Restrictions (PRs). While existing protections like the National Historic Register, zoning regulations, and the Historic District Commission offer some safeguards, they often fall short due to variances, exceptions, and shifting political landscapes. Unfortunately, we’ve seen instances where important historic elements have been lost during renovations. PRs fill these gaps by offering robust legal protection for the village’s architectural assets.
Currently, the Trust holds PRs on Atlantic House (27 Main Street) and The Siasconset Union Chapel and a Conservation Restriction on Hedged About (10 Sankaty Road). In addition, we have two more PRs in the approval process, one in documentation and a fourth for which we’re actively in conversations with the homeowners. This ongoing work is vital
to strengthening our preservation framework.
Education plays a central role in our preservation strategy. We’ve created materials outlining the PR process and are always happy to discuss the steps and benefits—including potential tax advantages—with anyone interested.
Another key initiative is our program of professional Architectural & Historical Reports (aka House Profiles), which spotlight targeted homes in the village. These reports provide valuable insight and serve as a springboard for conversations with homeowners about possible PRs. At present, the Trust has 27 house profiles available for review in our office and on our website, and we’re adding several more each year.
If you’re curious about the history and architecture of your ’Sconset home, or want to learn more about PRs, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We’d love to discuss our Architectural & Historical report program and explore how we can support your preservation goals.
Matt
Lighthouse Report Committee Updates
Robert Franklin, Chair
THE 2026 SEASON promises to be both busy and exciting at the Lighthouse. The grounds, which are open daily, continue to be enjoyed by visitors, especially throughout the summer. We also look forward to welcoming guests for an Open Day, several pop-up events (watch your email for details), and a pair of cocktail parties. Anyone interested in hosting one of these unique cocktail events in 2027 will have the opportunity to bid on the experience at this year’s Night Under the Light Gala.
Following Labor Day, attention will turn to an important new phase of preservation work on our beloved lighthouse. Finkle Preservation Construction and the team that successfully planned and executed the historic 2007 lighthouse move has remained a valued preservation partner ever since that landmark project. They will return this fall to complete additional interior and exterior preservation work items.
Grant money from the Nantucket Community Preservation Fund will pay for the majority of this work, with the ’Sconset Trust covering the balance. The Trust is once again deeply grateful to the Community Preservation Committee for its continued support for preserving this treasured island icon.
Lighthouse Housing
The Trust is looking for any leads on housing for the three crew members from Finkle Preservation who will be performing the crucially important preservation and restoration work at the Lighthouse this fall. Do you or someone you know have a 3-bedroom house the Trust could rent from shortly after Labor Day until mid-November?
Please call our office (508-257-4100) or email Julie Ruddick Meade at jmeade@sconsettrust.org.
Field of Dreams Update
Siobhan O’Mahony Moore
OVER THE WINTER, we have been collaborating with the Nantucket Land Bank to make the four lots we acquired last year at the corner of West Sankaty and New Street a welcoming park for the community. This work has involved removal of several invasive bushes and bamboo along with a few trees, designated for removal by our local arborist. This spring we are filling in “ankle turning” divets to create a level playing field and a park ready for use. You will notice some fence repairs and new signage that lay out park rules. Please encourage our community members to take note and abide by these rules. What’s next? We are working with Julie Jordin Garden Design to create a small aesthetically pleasing pocket park at the corner of New and West Sankaty that will welcome ’Sconseters of all ages.
Local Issues Update
Lynn Filipski, Chair
Bluff Walk
WORKING IN PARTNERSHIP with the Siasconset Civic Association, the ’Sconset Trust participated in discussions with the Town about balancing the needs of the greater community to access the public path with the needs of the abutting homeowners for privacy and quiet. After discussing with the Roads and Right of Way Advisory Committee and Robert Bystrowski (the Town’s real estate specialist), we presented our recommendations to the Select Board. After a lengthy discussion, the recommended hours of use were changed to 8:30am-7:30pm for the months of July and August on a trial basis. Other measures to be tested on a trial basis include narrowing the entrance to discourage bicycles and strollers and updating the signage with specific Do’s and Don’ts. The Town has agreed to stop promoting the path in visitor information and social media, and the Civic Association and Trust have created a new informational brochure on ’Sconset, Sankaty Head Lighthouse and the footpath which will be available at the Town’s Information Bureau. A proposal for a docent who could highlight the history of the footpath and answer questions was also approved by the Select Board, contingent on approval by Town Counsel.
Fire House
MEMBERS OF THE TRUST BOARD, Julie Ruddick Meade, ’Sconset Trust’s Executive Director and Karel Greenberg, Siasconset Casino Civic Association President met with Town Manager, Libby Gibson, Fire Chief Cranson and a representative from SMRT Architects and Engineers who the Town had hired to review the existing Fire House structure and feasibility for its renovation and expansion, including living quarters. The report concluded that it would be extremely difficult to renovate the existing building to meet current needs. Due to the size of the property, numerous variances or waivers would be required to accommodate needed expansions, and the total project was estimated to cost $11,480,000. Although potentially eligible for a grant from the Massachusetts Preservation Projects Fund for the existing structure, the Fire Department did not consider the site adequate for what they required. The Town does endorse having a two bay fire station of about 7,000 sq feet on a 1 ½ acre site at a different to be determined location to serve the eastern end of the island and reduce response time. The Trust and Civic Association will continue to advocate and work with the Town to bring fire and emergency services back to the east end of the island.
Development Report
Bunny Bispham Hale, Chair
The winter season was busy for the Development and Events Committee! Thanks to our many generous hosts, we held soirées in each of Vero Beach, New York City, and Washington, DC, all of which were once again very well attended. Everyone continues to love to come together in the off-season to celebrate our beloved village! To the extent you have not already, please be sure to Save the Dates in your calendar for our summer events—we have been hard at work this winter, ensuring that we have another fun summer in store in support of the Trust. And please be sure to join us for our Annual Meeting on Friday, July 3, which this year will serve a dual purpose as a celebration of you all, our members, and the successful conclusion of our historic Capital Campaign!
Night Under the Light Gala
Celebrating the Five Pillars of the ’Sconset Trust
Hosted by Bunny Bispham Hale and Gavin Hale
The ’Sconset Trust Board of Directors
Sunday, July 19, 2026
6–8 p.m., Sankaty Head Golf Club
Cocktails • Raw Bar • Music
Dear ’Sconset Friends and Community,
At long last, the snowdrops and daffodils have bloomed, and spring’s return is a reminder that another wonderful season in ’Sconset is just around the corner!
As we look ahead, we are also reflecting on an exciting close to 2025 for the ’Sconset Trust, with our recent Capital Campaign not only meeting its September 2025 matching milestone but ultimately exceeding our overall goal.
Year after year, it is this community—neighbors, families, and friends who care deeply about the village—that makes these achievements possible. We are looking forward to coming together again at our Annual Night Under the Light Gala on Sunday, July 19 at Sankaty Head Golf Club, where we will recognize the Five Pillars of the ’Sconset Trust (Conservation, Preservation, Lighthouse, Village, and Community), and honor you all, our members, whose generosity and commitment have made the Trust’s tremendous progress towards our pillars possible.
We look forward to coming together in July to celebrate what this small but mighty village can accomplish together!
With gratitude and excitement for the season ahead, Bunny Bispham Hale and Gavin Hale, Chairs
Lighthouse
Windows to the Sea
Phillipa and Jim Burke
Sentinel Stripe
Amanda and Blair Jacobson
Beacon
Jessica and Drew Guff
Pam and Bill Holding
Barbara and Amos Hostetter
Holly Johnson and Parker Harris
Christine and Alex Seaver
Laura and Greg Spivy
Threshold Guardian
Bunny Bispham Hale and Gavin Hale
Trailblazer
Elizabeth and Bryan Frist
Karyn McLaughlin Frist
Sarah and Peter Gailliot
Heather and Greg Garland
Keith and Rod Goldstein
Ashley and Rahul Kadakia
Susan and Dirk Koopman
Christine and John Maraganore
Betsy Michel
Ann and Chris Quick
Diane and John Samuels
Julie and Brian Simmons
Electra Toub and Peter Soros
Susan and John Whitney
Founder
Lisa and John Bermel
The Russell Boe Family
Jo and Courtney Carson
Kathy and David Cheek
Carol and Bernie Coffin
Maggie and John Cooley
Susanne and Barry Cooper
Chrissi and Chris Crampton
Kathy and Chip Cruice
Henrietta Currier
Lori and Eric Dannheim
Martha Dippell and Danny Korengold
Clement and Rick Durkes
Lynn and Mark Filipski
Robert Franklin and Charles Mappin
Samantha and Matthew Fremont-Smith
A Night Under the Light 2026 Gala Sponsors
Kelly and Buck French
Megan and Bob Gabriel
Cynthia and John Gallagher
Karel and Frank Greenberg
Kat and Tim Gregor
Betsy and Ray Grubbs
Robin and Jay Hammer
Pam and Doug Hendrickson
Julie and Robert Hockaday
Wendy Holding and Lindsay MacIndoe
Caroline Hollings
Connie and Dennis Keller
Linda and George Kelly
Karen and Michael Lynch
Julie Ruddick Meade
Sally and Bob Michler
Holly and Mark Pagon
Noreen and Jack Poulson
Jenny Price
Susan and Kennedy Richardson
Phyllis Rappaport
Sara Schwartz and Will Hannum
Nancy and Bruce Shaw
Eileen Shields-West and Robin West
Jennifer and Seth Shortlidge
Beth and Fred Singer
Nell and George Wilson
Marcella and Rhoads Zimmerman
’Sconset Rose
Carolyn and Chris Allwin
Annie and Eric Baurmeister
Nancy and Joe Beebe
Deakin Bell
Lesley F. Blanchard
Margaret Boasberg and Chris Bierly
Beth and Michael Clifton
Alison and Greg Cokorinos
Helen and Stephen Colen
Mary Lou DiNardo and Greg Nichols
Lois and Bill Druckemiller
Helen and Ray DuBois
Greg Dunbar and Glenn Hinderstein
Lucy and Mark Engebretson
Elizabeth and Mark Epley
Beth English and Mark Donato
Lynnette and Jerry Fallon
Becky and Russell Filipski
Barbara and Elliot Gewirtz
Erin Gibbs-Mathey and Roderic Mathey
Elizabeth Gilbert-Bono and Mark Bono
Betsy and Ray Grubbs
Ellen Hallock Hakes
Henrietta Hakes
Courtney and Marco Hanig
Renee Harrison
Sarah Macy Heinemann and Daniel Vellon
Megan and Chris Holding
Hollie and Jamie Holt
Nancy Hungerford
Kate and Christian Jensen
Ali and Peter Jennison
Joanna Kaye and Doug DeMuro
Jill and Scott Kelley
Jacki and Eric Kraeutler
Laurel and Ben Langworthy
Ginger Laytham
Katherine Logue and Jonathan Nyland
Kathi and Tom Loughlin
Mary and Brian MacDonald
Ruthie Miller
Ellen Mitchell and Charlie Byrne
Meridith and Chip Moldenhauer
Carmen Molinos and Mark DeAngelis
Siobhan O’Mahony Moore and Bill Moore
Kimball and David Moriniere
Jacki Moss and Brian Shaw
Susan and Doug Munn
Natasha and Peter O’Brien
Kate and Ben Phillips
Marcia and Tom Richards
Robin Ried and Chris Staudt
Eileen Rudden and Josh Posner
Jenny and Brett Robertson
Mimi and Jared Rodgers
Molly Ryan
Catharine and Jeffrey Soros
Helen and Carter Strong
Louise and Andrew Swanson
Katie and Conor Tochilin
MaryAnne and Stephen Ulian
Karen Urban
Elizabeth and Anthony Vale
Shelley and Gary Vogel
Sarah and Richard Ward
Nicki Weiss and Timothy Carruthers
Betsy and Joe Wright
Laura and Will Wrightson
List as of May 25, 2026
We are incredibly grateful for your enthusiasm and generous support of the ’Sconset Trust and our mission. Thanks to you, our event is nearly sold out with only a few sponsorships still available. To be added to the waitlist for individual tickets, ’Sconset Rose or Founder sponsorships, please contact the Trust office at events@sconsettrust.org or click here: 2026 Night Under the Light Gala
P.O. Box Project Update
AS FEATURED in our fall newsletter, during a renovation in the 1980s, many of our wonderful antique post office boxes were replaced. Luckily, preservation-minded residents—including longtime Trust members Carol and Bernie Coffin—helped save 288 of these original boxes. However, maintaining them has become difficult due to broken locks, missing keys, and other repairs with about 89 currently being unusable.
Enter Jamie Holt, community member and longtime Trust member, who working with the Siasconset Civic Association, ’Sconset Trust, Nantucket Preservation Trust and with support from the Nantucket Postmaster, has stepped in to restore these boxes. Over the winter, Jamie has accumulated doors and replacement parts through considerable research and sleuthing. He was even able to find 34 of “our” keyed locks on eBay. To say Jamie is all in on this project would be a huge understatement.
With the Post Office’s permission, the Civic Association and Trust will be raffling a number of boxes at the Civic Association’s member meetings (July 6 and August 3) as well as at the 17th Annual ’Sconset History Night (August 10). This year’s talk, appropriately titled “You’ve Got Mail…and it’s in the Box!”, will focus on the history of the ’Sconset post office boxes.
’Sconset Trust Goes to Uganda
THIS SPRING Macy Smith, Trust member and past part-time office staff, had the wonderful opportunity of returning to Uganda to volunteer for two months. One of the places she went was Arise and Shine Junior School in Mpiji, where she spent time sewing and teaching piano. The 300 children who attend the school are from rural, impoverished homes in the surrounding area. 65 of them live at the school and the rest walk to and from every day. When Macy told us about her trip and volunteer work to support these children, we asked if she would like to take some T-shirts from past ’Sconset Trust events. Macy said the shirts were such a treat for the children who she describes as a joyful, playful bunch, easy to interact with and always up for a game or a story, but who rarely get anything new.
We were happy to be able to support the great work of one of our members and the Arise and Shine community with this small token. As background, the school was started just after COVID by a husband and wife team, both social workers, who work tirelessly to improve the lives of children in their community. While the buildings are not completely finished, water has to be delivered every few days and food is sparse. Thank you Macy for all your good work. We know you are looking forward to returning there again in the future.
2026 Trust Winter
Vero Beach
January 14
Hosts: Robert Franklin and Charles Mappin
New York City
March 13
Hosts: Katie and Conor Tochilin
Washington, D.C
.
April 9
Hosts: Martha Dippell and Danny Korengold
’Sconset Light Sponsors
Barbara and Dick Detwiler
Martha Dippell and Danny Korengold
Lucy and Mark Engebretson
Robert Franklin and Charles Mappin
Sarah and Peter Gailliot
Bunny Bispham Hale and Gavin Hale
Karen and Michael Lynch
Katie and Conor Tochilin
’Sconset Rose Sponsors
Jeanne and Norman Asher
Philippa and Jim Burke
Laurie Coben and Travis Epes
Chrissi and Chris Crampton
Kelly and Buck French
Kathi and Thomas Loughlin
Julie Ruddick Meade
Sally and Bob Michler
Meridith and Chip Moldenhauer
Amanda and J.D. Moriarty
Patrick Murphy and Anthony Selvitella
Kate Heller O’Reilly
Lucy Shurtleff and Nicolas Platt
Louise and Andrew Swanson
Amy and Mark Tercek
Jessica and James Wickett
ACK Trails App
The Trust is part of a free trails app hosted by the Nantucket Conservation Foundation and Nantucket Land Bank. The app includes over 80 trails and parks across the island.
Download for Free
https://play.google.com/store/apps/ details?id=com.nantucket.acktrails. android&hl=en_US
https://apps.apple.com/az/app/ acktrails/id1462021860
History of the ’Sconset Post Office Mailboxes
August 10 @ 6- 7 p.m.
Doors open at 5:30 p.m. ’Sconset Casino
’Sconset Trust Annual Meeting and Member Celebration
YOUNG MEMBERS
’Sconset Walking Tour
2025 – 26
William B. Holding, Jr. CHAIR & PRESIDENT
Matthew Fremont-Smith VICE CHAIR
Barbara Bispham Hale SECRETARY
Alexander M. Seaver TREASURER
William E. Hannum, III CLERK
Lisa R. Bermel
W. Timothy Cashman, III
Join NPT on Thursdays for walking tours, starting in front of the Trust’s One New Street office.
Tours, co-sponsored by the ’Sconset Trust, are from June 25 to September 24, with the exception of July 23, August 6, and August 20.
75-minute ’Sconset Village tour starts at 3 p.m.
Cost: $20/person, or $15 for NPT Members
Advance registration is required, visit: Nantucket Preservation Trust ’Sconset Tours for more details and to register.
with Nantucket Preservation Trust Register here
Hosted by
ELIZABETH AND BRYAN FRIST
BUNNY BISPHAM HALE AND GAVIN HALE
ROBIN RIED AND CHRIS STAUDT
Eric Dannheim
Lynn F. Filipski
Robert Franklin
Bryan Frist Drew Guff
Amanda Jacobson
Holly Johnson
Sally S. Michler
Siobhan O’Mahony Moore
Greg Nichols
Robin Ried
Nell P. Wilson
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Julie Ruddick Meade
DIRECTOR OF FINANCE AND OPERATIONS
Robin Winter
LIGHTHOUSE KEEPER
Rob Benchley
One New Street
P. O. Box 821
Siasconset MA 02564
508 257 4100
info@SconsetTrust.org SconsetTrust.org