Editorial-A Quarter Century of Nantucket

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 Committee. 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 obtaining 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.

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HISTORIC NANTUCKET

Among the important developments which have occurred during the years since 1953 have been the acquisition of the 1800 House on Mill Street through the Melhado Family; the gift of the Nathaniel Macy House on Liberty Street, from Mrs. George Christian; the exhibit structure known as The Greater Light, a unique home created by Hanna D. Monaghan, who presented it to the Association; and the splendid Peter Foulger Museum, opened in 1971, after many years of waiting for the culmination of the processing of the estate of Admiral William H. Foulger, whose long-range plans made the building possible; and the centralization of the offices of the Nantucket Historical Association in the Old Town Building on Union Street, a gift from the Town of Nantucket but restored by the Nantucket Historical Trust and thus made available. It was through the generosity of the Historical Trust that the Whale House was built as an adjunct to the Whaling Museum, and the reconstruction of the Finback whale was accomplished and placed on exhibit in 1970.

In the first editorial of Historic Nantucket appears the following statement by Editor Nelson:

"Our Nantucket Historical Association is the organization devoted and pledged for more than fifty years to the preservation of the Island's famed heritage and its illustrious past as a whaling port. Through these pages it will strive to keep alive the 'urge' in residents and visitors to preserve Nantucket town, its buildings, its streets and lanes, its customs and its spirit, so that generations to come may still enjoy them and understand the great part Nantucket has played in the foundation of our nation and our freedom."

In reflecting the progress of our Nantucket Historical Association the pages of Historic Nantucket have become an invaluable record. It is to be hoped that the next twenty-five years will see the continued advancement of the important work so carefully carried on by the officers and staff.

Edouard A. Stackpole