Discover Nantucket's Historical Sites

Nantucket Island, off of the Massachusetts coast, brims with some of the oldest and finest history in the country. This small island brims with colonial historical sites including architecture, houses, buildings, shops, streets, lighthouses and other sites. Where ever you go on the island you’re immersed in history. Whether it’s the inns, the restaurants, the homes, the harbors, the cobblestone streets all are indicative of the pre-20^th century development.

One of the island highlights is the Grist Mill or the Old Mill as it’s also sometimes known as. It’s the oldest mill of its kind in the United States. Dating back to 1746, the old mill is a smock-type grist mill that still grinds today. Tours can be taken and tour guides will demonstrate how the mill can still grind corn into meal. For those who really want to take home a piece of history, the meal that is ground from the 18^th-century grist mill can be purchased. The grist mill is in like fashion to European style mills and rises up 50 feet into the air with four 30-foot long blades.

The Old Mill has an interesting history. Originally built in 1746 it featured a fixed base but the top portion with the blades could be turned to face the wind. IN 1828 it was sold for $20 for use as firewood. Jared Gardener, a carpenter, purchased it and did some work restoring the Old Mill. The old mill changed hands a few times in the 1800’s until 1897 when Miss Caroline French, who had bought it for $850 donated the old mill to the Nantucket Historical Association. The old mill is the oldest functioning mill in the United States.

The Nantucket Historical Association has all the information and ideas to see the sites and landmarks around Nantucket. There are many museums on Nantucket worth seeing. Nantucket’s whaling museum has recently undergone a renovation. One of the museums best pieces is the skeleton of a 46 foot long sperm whale. The whale washed up on the Island in 1998 and died. The massive skeleton now hangs from the ceiling of the Whaling Museum. In the 1700’s Nantucket was the whaling capital of the world. A many as 150 whaling boats would sail out of Nantucket to hunt for sperm whale. The whales were used for their rich oil. Whaling was a major commerce up until about 1860 when other forms of illuminant were used instead of whale oil. The museum has information, interactive media and memorabilia from Nantucket’s early whaling days. In summer, the whaling museum also has fun activities for children.

Nantucket also has a Life-Saving. In this museum you’ll find information and historical items from the US Life- Saving Service – the predecessor to today’s Coast Guard. In addition to the Old Grist Mill and the US Life-Saving Museum is the Nantucket Lightship Basket Museum. This museum features baskets woven by those who were on lightships. Lightships were lighthouses that floated off-shore. On calmer days the sailors on board were able to make baskets. These are the same original baskets that are on display at the museum.

Nantucket also has many lighthouses, houses and other historical landmarks. A few more to consider seeing are the "Oldest House", the "Old Goal" and the "Hadwen House". The "Oldest House" is just what it means, it‘s the oldest house on Nantucket and was built in 1686. The "Old Goal" is Nantucket’s old jail built in 1805. It was last used in 1933. The "Hadwen House" was built in 1845 for whaler William Hadwen. The style is Greek revival and the grounds feature Victorian gardens.

Nantucket’s rich history offers a step back into the past and into simpler time. Whether it’s the Grist Mill, the Whaling Museum or the colonial era homes and mansions, catch a ferry to Nantucket and take a step back in time.

About the author:
Rick Laurensen writes for 10x Marketing. To learn more about the Grist Mill, Ferry Nantucket or Nantucket Island visit www.DiscoverNantucket.com.