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A Quarter Century of Nantucket IN JULY, 1953, the first issue of Historic Nantucket was launched and distributed to members of the Nantucket Historical Association. As a quarterly it succeeded the annual Proceedings, which had served as the official voice of the Association since 1894, when the organization was first formed, and it was decided that a quarterly would provide a more frequent opportunity to bring to members and friends both important information of activities and a wider range of articles on Nantucket history. Mailed free to members it was also made available to the public for 50 cents per copy. The first editor of the Association's quarterly was W. Ripley Nelson, who served also as Chairman of the Whaling Museum and as a Vice President of the N. H. A., as well as Chairman of the Finance Com mittee. A man who devoted his energy and judgement to the work of the Association, Mr. Nelson will long be remembered. As President, Mrs. Walton H. Adams served a number of years, having previously been Curator of the collections — one of the most popular officers in our history. The first issue of Historic Nantucket established a record size, with 112 pages is the largest ever printed. Succeeding Mr. Nelson as editor was Miss Alma Robbins, with Margaret Fawcett Barnes assisting, and A. Morris Crosby accepted the post upon Miss Robbins' retirement, in 1962, and his tenure as editor continued the excellent standards established by Mr. Nelson and Miss Robbins. Upon Mr. Crosby's relinquishment of the post he invited Edouard A. Stackpole to assume the editorial chair, in 1968, with Mrs. Merle Turner Orleans as Assistant Editor — a position in which she has been an important part of the quarterly's success under two editors. The most significant change in the affairs of the Association was a result of much thought on the part of the Council. During the early months of 1970, it was decided that an Administrator should be appointed to carry on the business of the corporation. We were fortunate in ob taining the services of Leroy H. True, recently retired after many years as Administrator at the Nantucket Cottage Hospital. Assuming the office in August, 1970, Mr. True has demonstrated the value of his appointment through his conduct of the affairs of the Association, and in 1974 he was elected President, as well as Administrator, succeeding in the first office Henry B. Coleman. Both Mr. Coleman and George W. Jones, former Presidents, have become Vice Presidents.
