5
Editorial In recent months, through the initiative of Administrator True, the attic of the Whaling Museum has undergone a period of concentrated clearing, with much of its contents checked and considerable material transferred to other locations. Serving as volunteers during this process, Mrs. Mallery Boynton and Mrs. Alfred Amey contributed to the work of this enterprise, which involved paintings, prints, books, antiques and manuscripts, as well as old newspapers, ship models and framed photographs. There is an excellent reason for this accumulation of material in this location. Over two decades ago, it was decided that the Whaling Museum's cavernous attic would make the best storage place for articles that had not been on exhibit for several years, as well as materials that took up all the available storage space at Fair Street and were tucked away in other places. In the gatherings of these various items, large and small, during the years since that time, the Whaling Museum became literally jammed with a wide range of articles. In culling the segregated material a number of interesting items were selected for exhibit at Fair Street and the Peter Foulger Museum. Some valuable account books have been trans ferred, and a collection of old glass negatives are to be re claimed. A number of portraits and prints are to be restored, as well as sundry articles removed to another storage area. As was to be expected, there was also material that has little historic value, such as modern "tourist baskets," picture frames, and modern printings. Space, always valuable in museums, is especially cherished in the Whaling Museum, which for years has served as a reposi tory. The renovation of the basement, under the direction of W. Ripley Nelson, led to the salvaging of much needed space where a series of shops related to whaling were set up. Hugh Chace, the new Chairman of the Museum, has definite plans for refurbishing other areas in the building. All of which leads to the query: "Have you reviewed the collection in your attic recently?" Perhaps you have one or two articles of Nantucket historical value which should be transferred to the Whaling Museum or the Peter Foulger, to be recorded and classified. Spring is usually the time of year for house cleaning and the attic should not be forgotten. Who knows what treasures have lain half-forgotten in dusty corners over the years!
