Nantucket Maria Mitchell Association to Open Properties for 2023 Season
NANTUCKET, MA—On June 12, 2023, the Maria Mitchell Association Aquarium, Hinchman House Natural Science Museum, Historic Mitchell House, Loines Observatory, and the MMA Research Center will open for the 2023 summer season.
The Historic Mitchell House, located at 1 Vestal Street, will be open for tours Monday – Friday, 10:00AM–4:00PM, and 10:00AM – 1:00PM Saturdays. Built in 1790, this traditional Quaker house was acquired by the Mitchell family in 1818. The home became a museum in 1903 when the Maria Mitchell Association’s founders acquired the house 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 Maria Mitchell Association Aquarium, located at 28 Washington Street, will be open Monday–Friday, 10:00AM –4:00PM, and 10:00AM–1:00PM on Saturdays. Located on the waterfront of Nantucket Harbor, the MMA Aquarium displays local Nantucket species and is 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 you learn about and observe unique feeding behaviors of our animal ambassadors. All ambassadors of the MMA Aquarium are locally collected and are re-released into the wild at the end of the season during the annual “Release Day" event.
The Hinchman House Natural Science Museum, located at 7 Milk Street, will be open Monday–Friday, 10:00AM –4:00PM, and 10:00AM–1:00PM on Saturdays. An exciting space for inquisitive minds of all ages, the Natural Science Museum is a cross between a classic natural history museum, a small zoo, 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 you learn about the unique adaptations of turtles, frogs, snakes, and more.
The Loines Observatory, located at 59 Milk Street Extension, will be open on Monday, Tuesdays, and Wednesday nights from 9:00PM – 10:30PM hosting two public Stargazing Open Nights sessions, and on Fridays 9:00PM – 9:45PM for one family-centered Stargazing Open Night program — weather dependent. When a special natural occurrence is forecast in the night sky – meteor showers, a new comet, 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 from 10:00AM – 12:00PM on Saturdays throughout the summer season. At Open Hours, visitors learn about the biological collections and their importance to science and examine different specimens during each session. From specimens of birds and mammals to insects and plants, you never know what will be on display! This program is FREE to all visitors and preregistration is not necessary. The Research Center is accessible outside of the Biological Collections open hours by appointment.
The MMA Properties passes can be purchased for the Aquarium, Hinchman House Natural Science Museum, Loines Observatory, and the Historic Mitchell House. A property pass includes admission to the three museum sites and a Stargazing Open Night. The cost of a property pass is $12 for children, $22 for adults. Admission to Maria Mitchell Association properties and Open Nights is free to MMA Members.
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 female 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.
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