2023 EXHIBITION PREVIEW

Summer on Nantucket: A History of the Island Resort

Opening May 26 | Whaling Museum, McCausland Gallery

Containing more than 200 artifacts from the NHA collection, this exhibition tells the story of Nantucket as a summer destination, from the opening of the first tourist hotels in the 1840s to the multi-billion-dollar real-estate, construction, and rental economy of today.

The exhibit begins with “Impressions of Summer,” a feast of paintings, trade signs, souvenirs, and other items capturing the flavor of Nantucket in high season. “The Resort Economy” traces the island’s transition from a whaling port to a vacation spot. “Must See, Must Do” explores beach and water recreation, entertainment and dining, and changing tourist activities across more than a century. “Where to Stay?” demonstrates how summer-home options have changed as more of the island has been developed. “Who’s Here?” features new acquisitions from the NHA’s costume and textile collections showing island summer fashions. “It’s Not All Roses” recognizes the hard work seasonal employees and year-round residents put into making summer happen for everyone and explores some of the downsides to the island’s popularity and success: crowding, traffic, housing insecurity, and economic inequality. The exhibit concludes with “Winter,” a look at the continuation of island life after the crowds depart.

Island People: Portraits and Stories from Nantucket

Reopening with new additions this spring

Whaling Museum, Williams Forsyth Gallery

This exhibition draws from the NHA’s collection of painted portraits to highlight both famous and lesser-known Nantucketers whose life stories intersect with the themes and currents of the island’s history.

An exciting new addition this year will be the newly conserved 1851 painting called Nantucket Indian Princess by Hermine Dassel, on loan from the Rhode Island Historical Society. This portrait depicts eleven-year-old Isabella Draper, a young islander of mixed Nantucket Wampanoag and African American heritage.

New Acquisitions Highlights

Opening May 26

Whaling Museum, Williams Forsyth Gallery

The last year has been an exciting one at the NHA for collections acquisitions. Come see Cranberry Pickers by Eastman Johnson and important works by Nantucket’s most notable female artist from the turn of the twentieth century Elizabeth Rebecca Coffin.

Nantucket Lightship Baskets

Opening May 27 | Hadwen House

Nantucket baskets are a symbol of the island worldwide; see over 100 examples showcased in one of the island’s most majestic Main Street homes. Explore the reinstalled José Reyes workshop and the work of both contemporary and historic weavers, drawn from the NHA and Nantucket Lightship Basket Museum collections.

Support Exhibitions

If you would like to support our 2023 exhibitions, please contact Laura Barnes, Director of Development, for more information at (508) 228-1894 Ext. 125 or lbarnes@nha.org. Gifts are fully tax-deductible according to federal guidelines.

Your generosity allows us to share this look at Nantucket’s history with over 90,000 visitors a year.