Administrator's Report

BY LEROY H. TRUE

AS WE DRAW close to the end of another season it is obvious that attendance at our buildings reached an all-time high. We do not know if this is because more people came to Nantucket, improved publicity, or that people have become more interested in history and tradition. We hope it is because of the latter but probably it is partly because of all three.

Also we have a sizable increase in membership. This is most encouraging because membership is the life blood of our organization and through these, we have a greater opportunity to fulfill our mission.

A major part of our success is due to the excellent personnel, all performing their individual tasks with devotion and effort. We have received so many compliments from our visitors on the knowledge and charm of those who interpret each exhibit.

It was a real delight to see the sails back on the mill and hear the muffled sound of wooden machinery grinding corn. During the winter we hope to get the overhead wires buried and other corrections made so that we can operate no matter which quarter the wind is from.

We had several excellent programs this summer, free to members and guests. The talks by Mr. Stackpole and Mrs. Barbara Johnson were outstanding. We are planning to accelerate these programs this winter and next summer under the direction of Mr. Stackpole, our Historian, and to include other speakers. A few people in sections of the room had difficulty hearing and all were uncomfortably warm but we promise to improve both situations.

The Nantucket Cable TV generously offered to put some of our programs on Channel 3 and Mr. Stackpole has already done a fine job describing the museums and telling interesting facts and stories pertaining to Nantucket's past. We are most enthusiastic about this means of teaching early Nantucket history.

The Council relaxed the rule against taking pictures inside the buildings and now permits this when for private use and when it can be done without interrupting normal flow of visitors. Many have expressed appreciation for this privilege.

The "dig" at Sachacha Pond has been closed but the one at Ram Pasture is still in progress. It is doubtful if either will produce a large collection of "treasures" because each is done slowly and carefully in the search for information rather than the accumulation of artifacts. There is room for a few more people to participate.

Following the recommendation of a competent consultant some of our portraits will be taken to the Museum of Fine Arts next week for restoring and reconditioning. More will follow as the money can be spared. We also have an expert coming to the island this fall to correct some very bad conditions found in many of our valuable prints. The work is expensive but essential maintenance.

Did you notice the picture of the Friends Meeting House in the last issue of Historic Nantucket? The entrance platform looked so sound and substantial but now, a few years later, is rotted beyond repair and must be replaced. Upkeep is the curse of maintaining old buildings.

Displays at the Whaling Museum have been rearranged in an attempt to make them more interesting and a number of new acquisitions have been added in the Peter Foulger Museum. Especially attractive is the beautiful carved ivory collection. If you have not been in recently, and are on the island this winter, we urge you to visit us. Both museums will be open every Saturday afternoon all winter.

Plans are progressing for an attractive exhibit at the Fair Street Museum next summer and this will make it possible for people to again see the interior of the Friends Meeting House and next year we also expect to have the Christian House and Hadwen House-Satler Memorial open occasionally in the evening.

The legal problems have been resolved and we expect that Miss Monaghan's gift of "Greater Light" will be turned over to us soon. We are studying plans on how best to open this to the public in compliance with Miss Monaghan's wishes and, at the same time, not have it a financial burden to the Association. It will probably be early summer before any definite program will be announced.