Editorial: Museums and Education in Nantucket

M use u m s a n d E d u c a tio n i n N a n t u c k et

IN OUR MODERN world, where changes are taking place so rapidly, a museum devoted to our historical past might be often considered rather old fashioned and merely concerned with things long since relegated to yesteryear. But, this is far from the case. Our Nantucket museums are not primarily designed to remind us of events and people who lived on this Island long, long ago; they have been created to present pictures of the past which may serve as guide posts for our world of the present and, certainly, for the future. In this respect, museums are education. In this latter field the museum may serve as a catalyst to open a new world of appreciation and understanding of the past, a process which will bring a better awareness of the development of this unique town in the sea. The museum provides displays of the visible evidences of the past but it may also serve as an arena for thought, so that a better appreciation for the events and people of our past may become the chief subject for our concern. When we consider the humble beginnings of our Island community, the basic way of life of three hundred years ago, and the exhibits showing the sheep-raising and farming character of the people. As we view the early dwellings, the wind mills, crude carts, rough but sturdy household furnishings, we gain a definite understanding of the trials of these people, who deliberately sought out a new home, in this remote corner of New England, where they might live in freedom from the domination of the Puritans on the mainland. By viewing the exhibits we may better understand the development of the old town, with its people adopting the sea as a means of livelihood. The creation of a new Colonial industry - deep-sea whaling - was the contribution of the Nantucketers to the history of not just America but the maritime world. The museums view the passing scene as examples of the courage and enterprise of the Islanders. The inspirational qualities are time-less; the self reliance and pride become continual reminders of our heritage. If for no other reason the museums exist to keep alive the story of our history. In the story of Nantucket, the full awareness of this story was never needed more than at the present time.

--Edouard A. Stackpole