The Nantucket Maria Mitchell Association to Open Properties for 2024 Season

May 27, 2024

NANTUCKET, MA—On Monday, June 10, 2024, the Maria Mitchell Association Aquarium, Hinchman House Natural Science Museum, Historic Mitchell House, Loines Observatory, and the Maria Mitchell Association Research Center will open for the 2024 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 when the Maria Mitchell Association’s (MMA) 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 MMA Aquarium, newly located at 32 Washington Street, will be open Monday–Friday, 10:00AM–4:00PM, and Saturday 10:00AM–1:00PM. The Sea Shop, adjacent to the Aquarium, will be open Monday–Saturday, 9:00AM–5:00PM and Sunday 9:00AM–2:00PM, for visitors to purchase nature-based toys, gifts, and gear for exploring the sky, land, and sea including walking sticks, binoculars, guides, apparel, and marine supplies. 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. Tickets are $14 for children and $22 for adults. All the hungry creatures at the Aquarium are fed daily during our “Feeding Frenzy” program, where you 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 into the wild at the end of the season during the annual “Release Day" event, scheduled for Saturday, October 12 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, 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 for public Stargazing Open Nights from 9:00–9:45PM with days varying; please check our calendar at www.mariamitchell.org/calendar for up-to-date information. Beginning in July, additional public sessions from 9:45–10:30PM will be available. The Loines Observatory will also be open on Fridays 9:00–9:45PM for a family-centered Stargazing Open Night program. All Open Night programs are weather dependent, and days may vary. 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. Admission for Open Nights programs is $14 for children and $22 for adults.

 

The Maria Mitchell Association Research Center, located at 2 Vestal Street, will host “Biological Collections Open Hours” by appointment. 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! This program is FREE to all visitors.

 

MMA Property Passes can be purchased for the Aquarium, Hinchman House Natural Science Museum, and the Historic Mitchell House. A property pass includes admission to the three museum sites. The cost of a property pass is $20 for children and $30 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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For Immediate Release

May 27, 2024

Contact: Allison Lowe

marketinginterns@mariamitchell.org

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Maria Mitchell In Her Own Words

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April 1878. The conference of Woman’s Congress officers met in Washington. Because we had one member in Washington we were invited to meet in that place. I went on at a great expense of time, money and strength . . . . We were in session at least nine hours. I think that more than half of that was used by Mrs. Spencer and Mrs. Sayles. The only motion which I carried through was to pay the Secretary $200 . . . In 1878, that was a long train(s) ride to Washington, DC from Poughkeepsie, NY and Vassar College. If Maria seems perturbed, I am sure she was. As president of the Association for the Advancement of Women, and thus the Congress, she had to be at the meeting. But it appears she did not get much say in the nine hour meeting. This was also a long trip to take when she had another, even longer trip coming up in July of 1878. In that month, she would travel with students and her sister, Phebe, out west to Colorado to view the eclipse and that train and wagon ride I am sure was weighing on her mind – not just the physical trip but making her way for an important eclipse viewing event. JNLF

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By Jascin N. Leonardo Finger • April 6, 2026
Well, actually replace the roof! With funding from the Community Preservation Act and the work of Lydon and Sons, Inc. the Mitchell House is getting a new roof. The current one had come to the end of its useful life. A cedar roof can last a long time – longer than asphalt – and is more historically accurate. The roof we are removing was installed in about 1992 – replacing a roof from the 1930s that was not cedar but a combination of materials that actually yes, did last sixty years. The unfortunate issue has arisen that the roofwalk (walk) has to be replaced. This is NOT the original walk – nor that old of a walk. It’s likely from the 1970s or so and has been cobbled at over time. It’s not a functioning walk – no one is allowed on it – but the Mitchell House needs it none the less. Maria Mitchell and her father, William, likely used the walk for astronomical observations – in addition to the yard – but the walk is also protected as part of the preservation easement on the House. Walks – NOT and NEVER called widow’s walks – were used for preventing and putting out chimney fire and roof fires. In a place where wood was expensive and had to be brought from “the main” these were purely utilitarian. What good Quaker (or non-Quaker) would build a platform for his wife to stare out to the harbor to see if her husband was on his way home? The other issue is that the walk was completely resting on the ridge board – and actually was notched to accept the pitch and tip of the ridge board so they couldn’t work around it. I suspect this may have been the ways walks were once built – and also a crafty and smart thinking carpenter who came up with the idea. It makes the walk lower. But between that issue and the age of the walk and then the blizzard of February 2026 that packed gusts over 83 MPH (that’s Category 1 hurricane winds) the walk gave in. Balusters had been knocked out and the railings were loose and pulling away from the posts. So, we will also be working with Barber and Sons to create a new roofwalk – and they agreed to do this for us quickly which is also no small feat given how busy everyone is these days. So from the bottom of the Mitchell House’s heart (and mine) a big thank you to Chris Lydon and Lydon and Sons and crew, Barber and Sons / Beau and Nate Barber, the Community Preservation Committee, and Nantucket Preservation Trust (our easement holder)! JNLF

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