Research Center Update

Jascin N. Leonardo Finger • July 10, 2017

We can see more light at the end of the tunnel.  The HVAC is almost complete and the painters have been through both of the main floor rooms.  Cabinet faces have been painted and hung as well.  Basement walls are being painted and the new Delta Designs state-of-the-art collections storage cabinets are being drawn up as I write this.  The gas tank and lines have been installed.  The carpenter is moving back in to put up the walls around the furnace room and to build the accessible bathroom and basement interior entryway.  And, the cabinetmaker has completed installing all the supports for the countertops and the new microscope station.  Even grass has returned to the side yard thanks to our landscaper.

 

And it is also again time to thank all those who have been working with us on this project – and also patiently waiting for their role to begin or re-start!

Greg Maskell Landscaping


Kevin Wiggin HVAC


Island Gas and Christian Yates


Jim Badera and Badera Engineering


Mike Freedman and Crew, cabinetmaker


Jon Vollans and Vollans Electric


Wayne Morris, mason   


Pioneer Cleaning, cleaning and floors     


Delta Designs Ltd.   

Matt Anderson, carpentry


Jim Tyler and Crew, painting


Mickey Rowland, architect


Kevin O’Keefe, volunteering


Pen Austin, mason and paint coatings


Marden Plumbing


Evita Caune, floor refinishing


David Ryan


Toscana Corporation

Our neighbors on Vestal Street and Milk Street who have been patient with noise and people crawling all over the place!


And if I am missing anyone, I do apologize!

Lab Sink Area

Microscope Station

JNLF

Recent Posts

October 1, 2026
“If you don’t look, you don’t see. You have to go and look.” -Edith Andrews
By Jascin N. Leonardo Finger • October 1, 2026
10mo 1, 1847. {October 1, 1847} This evening at half past ten Maria discovered a telescopic comet five degrees above Polaris. Persuaded that no nebulae could occupy that position unnoticed it scarcely needed the evidence of motion to give it the character of a comet. From the journals of William Mitchell, father of Maria. One hundred and seventy-nine years later! JNLF
September 30, 2026
The Nantucket Maria Mitchell Association (MMA) announces that its annual Aquarium Release Day will take place on Saturday, October 10, 2026 from 10am - 12pm at the MMA Aquarium at 32 Washington Street. A sensory-friendly half hour will be offered from 9:30 – 10am. Join MMA staff to help the staff release this season’s Aquarium inhabitants back into the ocean. This community event is FREE to the public and a great opportunity to learn and celebrate the marine life that lives in the waters of Nantucket Island. The MMA Aquarium is dedicated to educating the public on the importance of biodiversity in our unique marine ecosystems found here on Nantucket. Each summer, the MMA Aquarium Manager, Chelsea Petrik, as well as her team of dedicated college interns and volunteers, explore the shores of Nantucket to find and document an assortment of over 7,500 individual marine animals, most of which are recorded and released. They snorkel, seine, and beachcomb to collect over 300 different marine animals. The animals are studied and cared for at the Aquarium so that the MMA can help people to learn more about these important marine organisms. Roughly seventy different species are featured at the Aquarium throughout the season. Local fishermen also provide the Aquarium with species they come across in their nets and at the end of their lines. Pre-registration is encouraged. Register at the link below: https://112458a.blackbaudhosting.com/112458a/2025-Aquarium-Release-Day-10Oct2026 The Maria Mitchell Association is a private non-profit organization. Founded in 1902, the MMA works to preserve the legacy of Nantucket native astronomer, naturalist, librarian, and educator, Maria Mitchell. 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. ###
Show More