July 15. {1863} My dear Sally . . . I think Mitchell is all right in his algebra. He can’t stand an examination in Trig but I don’t believe he will have a rigorous one. Father has seen the Prof. and will give him a letter to them.  If you can’t be honest with your sibling, who can you be honest with? Apparently, Sally Mitchell Barney’s son, William Mitchell Barney – known as Mitchell as his cousin William Mitchell Barney was known as Willie (how is that for honoring your father?!) – was visiting his aunt Maria and his grandfather, William Mitchell, at their home in Lynn, MA. Sally still lived on Nantucket and I suspect Mitchell was not only visiting but getting some much needed help with his mathematics by his aunt Maria. As always, she is brutally honest – he won’t pass a test in trigonometry (but, neither would I!). JNLF

In April and early May, at long last, the Mitchell House roof was replaced. (I noted this in an earlier blog.) I had also noted that the roofwalk, given the condition it was in and its location – sitting on the ridge – had to be replaced. They had thought they could jack it up – as they have done with other walks – but the Blizzard of February 2026 that was ALL wind (83 MPH winds – read Category 1 Hurricane) and no real snow, made the walk impossible to treat in such a manner (read: crumble). So, after much discussion, review by our preservation easement holder, and permits, as well as some fundraising, we are replacing the roofwalk. The prior walk was not the original. The original blew off in a gale in the late nineteenth century, replaced at some point in the 1930s, and likely replaced again in the 1960s or 1970s. Then, since that time, it was heavily repaired. Its framing members were notched to accept the ridge boards (read: peak) of the roof and I think that may have been an original way to construct a walk. Makes perfect sense – and gives the walk more support and a lower profile. It was after all about putting out chimney fires and preventing roof fires. People copied what worked – and there have been a few others noted to be built in this manner still. It presents an issue though – because if you need to work on the ridge board or close to it – you cannot get to it easily – I guess you may be able to access it to some extent by lifting the deck boards of the walk. The new Mitchell House roofwalk will sit about six inches above the ridge – which will also allow air to circulate better over the ridge and the shakes in that area. That is the only thing that will really be different. It is protected by a preservation easement – as part of the Mitchell House’s easement – and frankly, even if we did not have an easement, we would not want it to look any different. So keep your eyes to the skies at 1 Vestal as we work to re-build the walk. With a special thank you to Barber and Sons and Lydon and Sons. JNLF

1875, June 20. A meeting of the Officers of Congress was called at the house of Mrs. Hanaford, 5 Summit Ave., Jersey City. The weather was intensely cold. I went to New York on the 19 th and stopped with my friend Mrs. Clapp, 100 W. 54 St . . . .It was a question who should preside. Mrs. Hanaford thought the Chairman of the Executive Committee should and I had been told that I should, etc. The question was decided by the non-arrival of the Chairman of Ex.Com. I called them to order at an hour after the time appointed. Of course I made many blunders, as I have never presided before, but I continued for 4 hours. We did a few good things . . . The thing most weighing on Maria’s mind at this meeting was the looseness of membership for the Congress. She felt people were not being vetted properly in some areas of the country and thus they may allow in “undesirables.” I would take this to mean women who were not entirely behind the cause of the Congress and the Association for the Advancement of Women. I am not surprised by her suspicions and likely she was correct – one could see naysayers gaining access to this group and trying to destroy it from the inside. The women’s rights movement would have many schisms within it as people disagreed and broke into smaller factions.  Another important thing to point out is that Mrs. Hanaford is Nantucket-born Phebe Coffin Hanaford. Raised a Quaker, like Maria, Coffin Hanaford would become the first woman Universalist minister in New England – among many other firsts. She grew up with Maria, attended and taught at the Coffin School here on Nantucket, and was a founding member of another women’s organization, Sorosis, which Maria was also a founding member of. It’s nice to see two sister Nantucketers continuing to work together as adults – far from home! JNLF

After many, many years of service, our picket fences are getting a much needed replacement. We are starting with the fence on the north side of Vestal Street along the front of the Maria Mitchell Vestal Street Observatory (MMO). This fence is being replaced with part of a grant from the Community Preservation Act. The grant was for the exterior conservation work and landscape issues related to the MMO. The current fence is approximately thirty-five years old so it did rather well. It had replaced a very old fence – one I wish we had kept! But it had been hit many times by cars and had so much paint on it, they decided to replace it. We have small part of that fence still and we will be reproducing it for all the fences we are replacing here on Vestal. The fence is not much different than a normal picket here on island – it’s a hair shorter but it also has a sort of rolled top – not this cut style. I am excited to have this fence back! The new fences are being built by Michael Gault – owner of Gault Woodworking and a Nantucket Preservation Trust Traditional Building Methods award winner. His work is incredible – and lucky for us – he loves building fences!  So keep an eye out – work has begun already. The south side where the MMA Research Center and Hinchman House are located will be done in the fall in the same style. JNLF

NANTUCKET, MA – On Thursday, June 11, 2026, the Nantucket Maria Mitchell Association Aquarium, Hinchman House Natural Science Museum, Historic Mitchell House, Vestal Street Observatory, Loines Observatory, and the Maria Mitchell Association Research Center will open for the 2026 summer season. The Historic Mitchell House, located at 1 Vestal Street, will be open for tours Monday–Friday, 10:00AM– 4:00PM, and Saturday 10:00AM–1:00PM. Built in 1790, this traditional Quaker house was acquired by the Mitchell family in 1818. The home became a museum in 1903 after the Maria Mitchell Association’s (MMA) founders acquired the House in 1902 to preserve the legacy of one of Nantucket’s most celebrated daughters. The House contains many stunning artifacts from the Mitchells’ daily life in the nineteenth century, including many of Maria’s personal items such as beer mugs, opera glasses, and her Dollond telescope. The House is well known for the remarkably preserved example of faux-wood grain painting in the kitchen from the 1850s. The Vestal Street Observatory, next to the Historic Mitchell House, will be open for tours Monday – Saturday, 11:00AM–1:00PM. Built in 1908, the Observatory’s original dome now houses an 11-inch research telescope. Public accessible spaces include the Astronomical Study which displays historic astronomical collections, including Maria Mitchell’s 5-inch Alvan Clark telescope from 1858, and the Pillar Room where changing exhibits are featured. The current exhibit, “The Mitchells: A Family Constellation” showcases members of the Mitchell Family. The MMA Aquarium, located at 32 Washington Street, will be open Monday–Friday, 10:00AM–4:00PM, and Saturday 10:00AM–1:00PM. Located on the waterfront of Nantucket Harbor, the MMA Aquarium displays local Nantucket species and offers an immersive place to learn about the amazing marine life of the island. Displays are consistently evolving and range from crabs and shellfish to fish and eels. All the hungry creatures at the Aquarium are fed daily during our “Feeding Frenzy” program, where attendees learn about and observe the unique feeding behaviors of our animal ambassadors. All ambassadors of the MMA Aquarium are locally collected and are re-released back into the wild at the end of the season during the annual “Release Day" event, scheduled for Saturday, October 10 this year. The Hinchman House Natural Science Museum, located at 7 Milk Street, will be open Monday–Friday, 10:00AM–4:00PM, and Saturday 10:00AM–1:00PM. An exciting space for inquisitive minds of all ages, the Natural Science Museum is a cross between a classic natural history museum and a science center. It is a beloved place to learn about the plants, animals, and birds of Nantucket. All the hungry creatures at the Museum are fed daily during our “Ravenous Reptiles” program, where one can learn about the unique adaptations of turtles, frogs, snakes, and more. The “Keeper for a Day” program, new this year, allows children and young teen participants to prepare diets, feed members of our living collection, clean and refresh enclosures, and learn how to keep the MMA animal ambassadors healthy and thriving. The Loines Observatory, located at 59 Milk Street Extension, will be open to the public for Stargazing Open Nights from 9:30-10:30PM Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays through June 27. Beginning June 29 through August, Open Nights will be offered Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday. Please view our calendar at www.mariamitchell.org/calendar for up-to-date information as Open Night times will change throughout the summer. All Open Nights are pre-registered programs and are weather dependent. When a special natural occurrence is forecast in the night sky – such as meteor showers, a new comet, or a lunar eclipse – the Loines Observatory is the place to be. During Stargazing Open Nights, visitors can view a variety of astronomical objects in the night sky through our 8-inch Alvan Clark refractor and our modern 24-inch research telescope. MMA staff will lead constellation tours, and patrons can learn about the innovative research conducted by our astronomers and interns – a fantastic opportunity for all your astronomy-related questions to be asked and answered. The Maria Mitchell Association Research Center, located at 2 Vestal Street, will host “Biological Collections Open Hours” by appointment only. At Open Hours, visitors can learn about the biological collections and their importance to science, in addition to examining different specimens during each session. From specimens of birds and mammals to insects and plants, you never know what will be on display! Appointments can be scheduled by emailing programs@mariamitchell.org. MMA Property Passes can be purchased for the Aquarium, Hinchman House Natural Science Museum, the Historic Mitchell House, and the Vestal Street Observatory. A property pass includes admission to the four museum sites. The cost of a property pass is $24 for children and $42 for adults. Open Night admission at Loines Observatory is $17 for children and $27 for adults. Admission to MMA properties is free to MMA Members and Stargazing Open Nights and all programs are discounted 20% for members of the MMA as well. The Maria Mitchell Association was founded in 1902 to preserve the legacy of Nantucket native astronomer, naturalist, librarian, and educator, Maria Mitchell. After she discovered a comet in 1847, Mitchell’s international fame led to many achievements and awards, including an appointment as the first professor of astronomy at Vassar College. Maria Mitchell believed in “learning by doing” and today that philosophy is reflected in the MMA’s mission statement, programs, research projects, and other activities. The Maria Mitchell Association operates two observatories, a natural science museum, an aquarium, a research center, and preserves the historic birthplace of Maria Mitchell. A wide variety of science and history-related programming is offered throughout the year for people of all ages. ####

I love to walk in the cemetery. The stones are quite beautiful, as is the landscape. Is it sad? Yes, but its not creepy or scary. Many of these people have been forgotten. Though at the time of their death, their family did not think they would be – nor perhaps did those people before they died. I find it sad to come across fallen or broken stones, stones that have been overgrown with weeds or a well-intended shrub that has now taken over the space after 100 years or so. Stones covered so heavily in lichens that you cannot read the name of the person buried there invokes sadness and is worrisome for the damage the lichen can do. The young children, infants, teenagers, and young adults – that is all the more painful – as they were short-changed on life. But the old people – those who lived a full and very long life – they got all the time. And while it’s sad, they are gone, their life was full – no cut off at an early age. I have written about cemeteries before. I have noted that I clean stone monuments (gravestones) and run a workshop once a year to teach people how to properly clean stones. There is a bit of a movement afoot – especially with Instagram and TikTok – where people record themselves cleaning stones and showing people how to do it. Please be careful – some people are not trained and are doing it the wrong way. The sound of a metal scraper sets my teeth on edge – that is NOT how you clean historic gravestones – THAT erodes the stone and damages it forever. So, until you have some in-person training by someone who is qualified, do not do it! JNLF This year’s stone cleaning workshop will be Saturday, June 13 from 10-Noon. Registration is necessary and there is a small fee – it covers the cost of the supplies.

NANTUCKET, MA – On Thursday, June 11, 2026, the Nantucket Maria Mitchell Association Aquarium, Hinchman House Natural Science Museum, Historic Mitchell House, Vestal Street Observatory, Loines Observatory, and the Maria Mitchell Association Research Center will open for the 2026 summer season. The Historic Mitchell House, located at 1 Vestal Street, will be open for tours Monday–Friday, 10:00AM– 4:00PM, and Saturday 10:00AM–1:00PM. Built in 1790, this traditional Quaker house was acquired by the Mitchell family in 1818. The home became a museum in 1903 after the Maria Mitchell Association’s (MMA) founders acquired the House in 1902 to preserve the legacy of one of Nantucket’s most celebrated daughters. The House contains many stunning artifacts from the Mitchells’ daily life in the nineteenth century, including many of Maria’s personal items such as beer mugs, opera glasses, and her Dollond telescope. The House is well known for the remarkably preserved example of faux-wood grain painting in the kitchen from the 1850s. The Vestal Street Observatory, next to the Historic Mitchell House, will be open for tours Monday – Saturday, 11:00AM–1:00PM. Built in 1908, the Observatory’s original dome now houses an 11-inch research telescope. Public accessible spaces include the Astronomical Study which displays historic astronomical collections, including Maria Mitchell’s 5-inch Alvan Clark telescope from 1858, and the Pillar Room where changing exhibits are featured. The current exhibit, “The Mitchells: A Family Constellation” showcases members of the Mitchell Family. The MMA Aquarium, located at 32 Washington Street, will be open Monday–Friday, 10:00AM–4:00PM, and Saturday 10:00AM–1:00PM. Located on the waterfront of Nantucket Harbor, the MMA Aquarium displays local Nantucket species and offers an immersive place to learn about the amazing marine life of the island. Displays are consistently evolving and range from crabs and shellfish to fish and eels. All the hungry creatures at the Aquarium are fed daily during our “Feeding Frenzy” program, where attendees learn about and observe the unique feeding behaviors of our animal ambassadors. All ambassadors of the MMA Aquarium are locally collected and are re-released back into the wild at the end of the season during the annual “Release Day" event, scheduled for Saturday, October 10 this year. The Hinchman House Natural Science Museum, located at 7 Milk Street, will be open Monday–Friday, 10:00AM–4:00PM, and Saturday 10:00AM–1:00PM. An exciting space for inquisitive minds of all ages, the Natural Science Museum is a cross between a classic natural history museum and a science center. It is a beloved place to learn about the plants, animals, and birds of Nantucket. All the hungry creatures at the Museum are fed daily during our “Ravenous Reptiles” program, where one can learn about the unique adaptations of turtles, frogs, snakes, and more. The “Keeper for a Day” program, new this year, allows children and young teen participants to prepare diets, feed members of our living collection, clean and refresh enclosures, and learn how to keep the MMA animal ambassadors healthy and thriving. The Loines Observatory, located at 59 Milk Street Extension, will be open to the public for Stargazing Open Nights from 9:30-10:30PM Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays through June 27. Beginning June 29 through August, Open Nights will be offered Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday. Please view our calendar at www.mariamitchell.org/calendar for up-to-date information as Open Night times will change throughout the summer. All Open Nights are pre-registered programs and are weather dependent. When a special natural occurrence is forecast in the night sky – such as meteor showers, a new comet, or a lunar eclipse – the Loines Observatory is the place to be. During Stargazing Open Nights, visitors can view a variety of astronomical objects in the night sky through our 8-inch Alvan Clark refractor and our modern 24-inch research telescope. MMA staff will lead constellation tours, and patrons can learn about the innovative research conducted by our astronomers and interns – a fantastic opportunity for all your astronomy-related questions to be asked and answered. The Maria Mitchell Association Research Center, located at 2 Vestal Street, will host “Biological Collections Open Hours” by appointment only. At Open Hours, visitors can learn about the biological collections and their importance to science, in addition to examining different specimens during each session. From specimens of birds and mammals to insects and plants, you never know what will be on display! Appointments can be scheduled by emailing programs@mariamitchell.org. MMA Property Passes can be purchased for the Aquarium, Hinchman House Natural Science Museum, the Historic Mitchell House, and the Vestal Street Observatory. A property pass includes admission to the four museum sites. The cost of a property pass is $24 for children and $42 for adults. Open Night admission at Loines Observatory is $17 for children and $27 for adults. Admission to MMA properties is free to MMA Members and Stargazing Open Nights and all programs are discounted 20% for members of the MMA as well. The Maria Mitchell Association was founded in 1902 to preserve the legacy of Nantucket native astronomer, naturalist, librarian, and educator, Maria Mitchell. After she discovered a comet in 1847, Mitchell’s international fame led to many achievements and awards, including an appointment as the first professor of astronomy at Vassar College. Maria Mitchell believed in “learning by doing” and today that philosophy is reflected in the MMA’s mission statement, programs, research projects, and other activities. The Maria Mitchell Association operates two observatories, a natural science museum, an aquarium, a research center, and preserves the historic birthplace of Maria Mitchell. A wide variety of science and history-related programming is offered throughout the year for people of all ages. ####

The Mitchell House and the entire MMA is opening for the season on Thursday, June 11, 2026! Come see what is new, come see things you have missed before, and come meet our new interns who will be with us for the summer! We are excited to have ALL our doors back open for the summer! For more information on classes, workshops, walks, children’s classes and camps, and our museum/site schedules, please find out more on our website! JNLF

“If you don’t look, you don’t see. You have to go and look.” -Edith Andrews