William F. Macy — The Man Whose Dream of a Whaling Museum Came True
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by Edouard A. Stackpole AS WE APPROACH the Nantucket Whaling Museum's 50th an niversary it should be noted that the original concept and the final establishment of this Museum was the culmination of the dream of a Nantucketer - William F. Macy. Like so many Islanders of his time, he was of whaling heritage. His father, William Hussey Macy, was a distinguished Nantucketer, a veteran whaleman, a Civil War soldier, and a remarkable figure in local affairs. The son, William F. Macy, learned the printer's trade in the back shop of The Inquirer and Mirror, and went to the mainland to seek his fortunes. After working in several shops around Boston, he was appointed the first instructor in printing at the Lyman School for Boys at Westboro, Mass. In subsequent years he entered into other business pursuits, being successful in all of them. It was after he opened his insurance agency in Boston that Mr. Macy found time to continue his studies in Nantucket history. A frequent contributor to the columns of The Inquirer and Mirror, his articles signed "Yorick" attracted attention from the very first. His inquiring mind and able pen gave pleasure to many readers, especially Alexander Starbuck, the outstanding historian who was then preparing his monumental History of Nantucket, and to Henry B. Worth. In collaboration with Anna Gardner Fish and Roland Bunker Hussey, Mr. Macy issued the first edition of the "Nantucket Scrap Basket," and arranged for a second edition two decades later, in 1932. Realizing the need for a condensed history of Nantucket, Mr. Macy prepared and published "The Story of Old Nantucket" in 1915. It im mediately filled a need for the serious reader interested in the Island, and the demand through the years brought about its reprinting in 1931. As one of the founders of that unusual organization, "The Sons and Daughters of Nantucket," he worked diligently for the continuance of its spirit and at one time served as its President. For many years he was Secretary of the "Puddingstone Club" of Boston. He was a popular speaker at literary and historical clubs, and often lectured in various parts of New England. A few years before he retired from business to make his home once more on his beloved Island, he conceived the idea of creating a Whaling
