Grace Brown Gardner

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G ra ce B r o w n G a rd n e r

by Gertrude A. Pratt

SO MUCH HAS been said and written about Grace Brown Gardner by her friends, townspeople and school associates. I would like to present my impressions of her human interest characteristics, beginning with her school days in Nantucket.

Grace was a fine student, attaining a high scholastic level. However, singing was not one of her, shall we say, better subjects as she could not carry a tune. One day the music class was singing in chorus and there was some discord noted by the teacher. The source of the trouble was found to be Grace lustily singing - off key. In telling the story, Grace said that the teacher took her aside and diplomatically stated: "Grace, some people have a little bird in their throats to help them sing, but unfortunately, you and I do not have that bird to help us." The explanation was accepted and Grace thereafter stopped singing.

Grace told of another of her teachers who announced one day that all the candy, apples and oranges brought into the class room must be shared with all the pupils. As these goodies were, at times, a rarity in several homes the pupils decided, upon consultation with Grace, that they eat them on the way to school and thus solve any problems of distribution in the class room. If this might seem a bit selfish on the part of Grace it will be remembered that surely, in later years, she gave of her vast knowledge freely to all who came to her for it.

There were other school day experiences but these seemed to remain in her memory, and she always chuckled as she related them to me.

In later years, Grace herself was a teacher in the 'Sconset School. She often rode back and forth to the village and return by bicycle, and on one trip a veritable gale sprang up. Grace reported that she could truly say that she was literally "blown" to 'Sconset. These trips were an achievement as there was then no bicycle path - only the paved highway.

Upon her retirement to her Island home Grace introduced a course in Nantucket history in the Nantucket schools, and often declared it was a proud accomplishment as she was a graduate of the Nantucket Schools. Of special interest was the native flora and fauna, and the birds of the

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Island. She collected a large herbarium of native specimens of plant life, noting the places where they were found as well as identifying them. She presented the herbarium to the Maria Mitchell Association's Natural Science Department.

While visiting at her home on Milk Street Grace taught me how to mount sea weeds and mosses on a piece of letter paper, giving it a real Nantucket touch. This was done on a table placed on the back porch, where she often instructed those who visited her for the proper information.

Grace Brown Gardner, as she wished to be spoken of, was most fortunate in that both her father, Arthur Hinton Gardner, and her mother, Mary Macy (Brown) Gardner, were much interested in the history of Nantucket and the genealogy of its people. Her father was for many years a proprietor of a newspaper, The Nantucket Journal, as well as serving as the town's Representative to the General Court of Massachusetts. He was also elected the Town Treasurer and when he died in office the position was filled by his wife, by appointment.

Grace compiled many scrap books, which are an extremely valuable source of Nantucket history. She delighted in receiving visitors who wanted to consult these books. This collection has been given to the Nantucket Historical Association, and represents an important research source. She also gave the Association her collection of Nantucket books, including first editions. She often inserted in these books clippings about the authors. Other volumes were presented to the Nantucket Atheneum Library.

From her birth on Nantucket on February 20, 1880, Grace Brown Gardner was truly a native daughter. After years of teaching on the mainland she retired to spend her productive last years on her native isle. Let me describe a last trip to "America", as she would say, during which she attended a family reunion. It was a clear day and many relatives came to enjoy the family party. The next day we took her to the wharf where she was to embark on the steamboat for Nantucket.

"That was a grand time we all had," some one remarked. "You must visit us again, Grace."

Grace was silent for a while, and then said: "It was a wonderful time, and I enjoyed it. But, no, I shall not come 'round Brant Point again."

She never did. Grace Brown Gardner was to stay at home permanently - a true Nantucketer and always a gracious lady.