Report of Annual Meeting

N a n t u c k et H i sto ri c a l A s so c i a t io n 's A n n u a l Me e tin g

THE EIGHTY-SECOND annual meeting of the Nantucket Historical Association was held at the Peter Foulger Museum on Tuesday afternoon, July 20, with some seventy members of the Association in attendance. Leroy H. True, President and Administrator, presided, opening the meeting shortly after the famous Walter Folger Clock struck the hour of four o'clock.

It had been decided that the meeting this year would be devoted to a presentation of reports by the chairmen of the various departments and committees, so that the general membership would receive information as to the activities of the Association as they relate to the exhibit buildings and committee activities. The chairmen were also asked to present their concept of how future plans for changes at the exhibits could help them become more effective.

The program which followed the opening remarks of President True proved both interesting and informative. Hugh Chace, Chairman of the Whaling Museum, reported on the record season which this important structure had enjoyed in 1975, and of the several changes in the exhibits which he has instituted during the winter. This has included cleaning and redisplaying the material in the South Seas Room, with a rail barrier to protect the New Zealand canoe model. A number of effective changes have also been accomplished in the Scrimshaw Room. Several ship paintings and prints have been restored. The newest exhibit, a handsome diorama, created by Raymond Delucia, of the Museum of Natural History, New York, and displayed in the room housing the whale skeleton, depicts an authentic waterfront scene at Straight Wharf on the 13th of October, 1842, with the whaleships Napoleon and James Loper at the wharves, and the ship Peru, just released from the "Camels," in the harbor around Brant Point.

The activities at the Peter Foulger Museum were described by the Chairman of that building, Edouard A. Stackpole. He reported the busiest year to date — especially during the once-called "off season," over 850 school children having been visitors, including nearly 250 from the Nauset Regional High School on Cape Cod. Nine preparatory schools have had groups of students, on the island during spring and fall months under the Environmental Studies Program, sponsored by the schools, the

Nantucket Conservation Foundation and the Coffin School. Their program includes visits to the Old Mill, the Peter Foulger Museum and the Whaling Museum. Special walking tours are arranged through the town, with the Association's Historian as the guide. Facilities are also made available to various groups of Girl and Boy Scout troops. Several of the classes from the Nantucket schools have also been in attendance.

Mr. Stackpole declared the most exciting feature of the year has been the inauguration of a study of the History of Nantucket by the University of Massachusetts-Boston in co-operation with the Nantucket Historical Association and the Coffin School. A selected group of fifteen students come to the island from Boston to reside here for five months, and study the history and ecology of Nantucket. Lectures are held at the Coffin School during the morning hours, presented by Historian Stackpole, followed by an hour of instruction by Director Tiffney and Clinton Andrews of the University's Field Station at Quaise. A number of Nantucket residents have participated in taking the Course for credits, while several other residents audit the lectures. Field trips to historic sites and for study of Island terrain help increase the scope of this unusual course. Students are required to prepare and write a thesis on a topic selected by them, and the Library and research facilities of the Peter Foulger Museum become important after the first six weeks of the lectures and field trips.

This unusual academic experience has been termed by Carlo Golino, the University's Chancellor, as providing "the most rewarding educational opportunity available to our students." Dr. Barry Philips, the Director for the University, states: "History has been touched and understood — in this loveliest and most unusual and most interesting of microcosms." In their work at the Peter Foulger Library, Mrs. Louise Hussey, our Librarian, has been an important factor in working with the students.

A number of special exhibits has helped to enliven our second floor displays. A special edition of Moby Dick, published by a private press in New York, illustrated by LeRoy Neiman., was on display together with the original paintings. The photographs by Louis Davidson, of Nantucket people and scenes, had many viewers. The "Bi-Centennial Quilt," made by members of the ladies of the Nantucket Center for Elderly Affairs, attracted many visitors when on display. A selection of the photographs of Nantucket public buildings and dwellings, compiled by the Historical American Buildings Suryey, is now on exhibit.

ASSOCIATION ANNUAL MEETING

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The Library continues to be an active part of the Museum's daily activities. Our collection of logbooks has been microfilmed in the medium of rolls, and two new readers have been purchased. E. A. Stackpole has presented his extensive collection of microfilms relating to the whaling industry. Besides the student use of the Library facilities, many professional writers and researchers have worked here. Letters of inquiry concerning genealogy and other Nantucket matters have been received and answered.

The services of Mrs. Elizabeth Worth, Mrs. Clara Block, Mrs. Louise Hussey, Joseph Sylvia, and Miss Lalie Keesham,our staff, should be recognized as providing that necessary courteous relationship with the general public.

Miss Dorothy Gardner, Curator, in her report gave evidence of the wide range of gifts which have come to us during the year. Mrs. Elizabeth Baird reported as Chairman of the Oldest House that this ancient landmark has had a record attendance and continues to impress its character on visitors. Mr. Hugh Chace also reported on the exhibit room at the Old Town Building, where the original tax collector's office has been fitted out and opened to the public — a little-known exhibit but very well worth a visit. Mrs. Laura Baldwin gave a short account of the activities at the charming Nathaniel Macy House, where she serves as Chairman. This has proven a worthy addition to the holdings of historic houses by the Association. Mrs. Phebe Swain's report on the Hadwen House revealed a satisfactory attendance, including a wide range of visitor origin. Albert G. Brock reported on the status of the Old Gaol, and the report on the Old Mill was submitted by Richard Swain.

An account of the work of the special committee on House Plaques was presented by the Chairman of that Committee, Robert G. Metters. This program has been most successful, with metal plaques being issued by the Association to owners of houses of an age pre-dated 1812, at a cost of $25 each. In relief on the oval plaque is depicted the Nantucket brig Beaver, of Tea Party fame. Houses of the 17th century have plaques of German silver; 18th century, prior to 1776, are awarded those made of red bronze, and those of the 1776-1812 vintage receive yellow brass plaques. Although 125 plaques have been issued there are still other old dwellings eligible.

Of especial interest was the report on the lightship Nantucket. Chairman Benjamin S. Richmond explained in detail some of the dif-

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HISTORIC NANTUCKET

ficulties the committee has experienced during the past few months, while the lightship has been at her temporary berth at Steamboat Wharf. Much work has been accomplished in preparing the vessel for exhibit, such as cleaning the engine room, staterooms, etc., and painting. Mr. Richmond described how arrangements are being arranged for traffic patterns for visitors. The lightship is to be transferred to its permanent berth on the Straight Wharf near the Still Dock area within a few weeks. (This has now been completed.) The expenses involved have been much more than anticipated, but President True expressed his confidence in the ultimate worth of the program to make Lightship Nantucket an important part of the waterfront.

Officers re-elected for the coming year included:

President - Leroy H. True. Vice Presidents — Walter Beinecke, Jr., Albert G. Brock, Alcon

Chadwick, Albert F. Egan, Jr., George W. Jones. Honorary Vice Presidents - Henry B. Coleman, W. Ripley Nelson. Secretary - Richard C. Austin Treasurer - John Welch. Councillors - Mrs. James F. Merriman, Miss Barbara Melendy. Robert E. Tonkin (to fill unexpired term of Henry Mitchell Havemeyer).