Photo from our Barn Owl Program, courtesy of Tom Griswold
Dear First name / friend,
It was definitely not Juneuary this past weekend – that’s for sure! We hope you enjoyed your first beach day or dip in the ocean!
May was a busy month. We hosted our annual Seas, Skies, and Vines Winemaker Dinner, where we collaborated with Alex and Carrie Vik of Chilean-based VIK Winery. Patrick Ridge of Island Kitchen crafted sensational pairings for VIK’s exquisite wine selections, Seamus Galligan serenaded us, and Dr. Regina Jorgenson gave a lovely talk on the skies of Nantucket. We spent time with our favorite four-legged friends alongside Tito’s Handmade Vodka and the Nantucket Wine Festival; we were able to make our “Yappy Hour” fundraiser for Nantucket Island Safe Harbor for Animals a huge success!
We launched our new “Sea Shop,” located at 32 Washington Street, where we offer a variety of nature-based gifts and marine supplies. To finish off a wonderful month, we also welcomed our Artist-in-Residence, Charity Grace Mofsen, back to the MMA. On May 31st, her gallery opening reception featured incredible astrophotography and fine art landscapes of scenes around the island. Be sure to stop by the gallery’s open hours between now and August 5th – Charity Grace’s work is truly breathtaking.
June 10thwill be our opening day for the summer season! All our facilities will open, so please stop by to see what’s new. Our Aquarium is newly located at 32 Washington Street; don’t miss seeing our new tour format. Camp officially starts on June 17th,and there are a few spots still left for the explorer in your family.
Now is the perfect time to become a member, support our events, attend our programs, and discover all Nantucket and the MMA has to offer.
Stargazer Gala Tickets and Sponsorship Opportunities
are Live!
Buy your tickets today for the MMA's biggest fundraising event of the year. Join us for an unforgettable night under the stars! Enjoy island-influenced bits, sip on rum punch and rosé, and let the rhythm of live music, inspired by the legendary spirit of Jimmy Buffett, carry you away to paradise.
Featuring food by Island Kitchen, musical guest stars the BaHa Brothers, personalized poems by Typewriter Rodeo, and much more!
The MMA is delighted to officially welcome our class of 2024 interns! The Maria Mitchell Association internship program started in 1908 and has hosted over 859 interns since then. This year, we received 698 applications from students, thirty-five of whom were selected to join us this summer. This year's interns represent nineteen states! They work in a variety of facilities and departments across the MMA, including our Aquarium, Natural Science Museum, Observatories, Mitchell House, Administrative Offices, and in our Summer Discovery Education Programs.
The MMA Facilities Will Open for the Season on
Monday, June 10!
The Hinchman House Natural Science Museum at 7 Milk Street, the Loines Observatory at 59 Milk Street Extension, the MMA Aquarium and Sea Shop newly located at 32 Washington Street, and the Historic Mitchell House at 1 Vestal Street will be open to the public on Monday, June 10.
We are thrilled for another season ahead! Stay up-to-date by viewing our calendar of events.
Facilities hours starting Monday, June 10:
Winemaker Dinner Re-Cap
Our Winemaker Dinner was a huge success! The MMA collaborated with Carrie and Alex Vik of VIK Wines, as well as Patrick Ridge of Island Kitchen, to enjoy a night of adventure, togetherness, and culinary delights. Thank you to all who attended!
Photos courtesy of Charity Grace Mofsen
Photos courtesy of Bill Hoenk
Yappy Hour Re-Cap
On Sunday, May 19, we partnered with Tito's Handmade Vodka, the “Vodka for Dog People,” to celebrate Nantucket's dogs and dog lovers at 33 Washington Street. This annual Nantucket Wine Festival fundraiser celebrates the island's love and support of dogs, Tito's generosity and mission, and Nantucket Island Safe Harbor for Animals (NiSHA)'s amazing dedication to our island animals. 100% of ticket sales and donations went to NiSHA, which was generously matched by Tito's Handmade Vodka.
“If you don’t look, you don’t see. You have to go and look.”
-Edith Andrews
Keep Calm and Bird On!
By June most of the spring migrants have moved on; a few juveniles may linger on what was their wintering ground until they mature enough to breed in subsequent years. But many species of birds do return to breed on Nantucket. So it’s a good time to enjoy bird behavior and confirm breeding.
Watch Ospreys catch and deliver fish. Dad eats first, usually away from the nest at his “lounging” spot. Then he brings fish to the nest for Mom, and eventually, the youngsters.
Give Piping Plover your full respect and obey the signs, bearing in mind that birds can’t read, and could be anywhere, just trying to survive by being inconspicuous. But beware of Herring Gull or Black-backed Gull, or especially Tern colonies, and give them a wide berth, because in defense of their young they can and will dive-bomb, or even strafe and draw blood. Watch from a safe distance for their protection, and yours.
You might still see a male Northern Harrier swoop by, making a food-pass, tossing a mouse or vole to the female who catches it mid-air.
You might watch a Killdeer, Robin, or even a Common Yellowthroat, give a world-class pretense-injury act, called a distraction display, leading predators away from a nest.
On a still, calm, full moon night–if such a thing should happen during the month Nantucketers call “Juneuary”–it’s great to go out to the moors after dark and listen for Whip-poor-will or Chuck-will’s-widow. If a swampy spot is nearby, a Virginia Rail might speak.
Watch for Tree or Barn Swallows carrying insects to a box, or an Eastern Kingbird bringing a butterfly toward a well-hidden nest. Black-capped Chickadees may gorge on sunflower seeds in the winter, but their kids eat only the best high-fat, high-protein insects and caterpillars in season. And this is true of a lot of other species. Happy birding!
2024 Bird-A-Thon Highlights
How many birds species did we record in twenty-four hours? The MMA invited birders of all ages, experienced and novice, on Nantucket to participate in our annual Bird-A-Thon that took place from 5PM on Friday, May 17 through 5PM on Saturday, May 18. At the close, birders came together to pool their lists and see how many species were observed in that snapshot of time.
This year's Birdathon was conducted despite unusually challenging conditions. Relentless rain and fog, accompanied by a punishing northeast wind, kept a lot of birds silent, hunkered down, un-findable despite our knowledge of where they had been the day before. (And, resumed their lives the day after.)
Nonetheless, seven intrepid birders managed to find a total of 70 species. Highlights included Ruddy Duck; Barn Owl, Dunlin; Fish Crow, Common, Least and even a few Roseate Terns; as well as a few warblers: Yellow, Pine, Prairie, and American Redstart.
All donations to the Nantucket Bird-A-Thon support the MMA’s conservation of its renowned Edith F. Andrews Ornithology Collection and activities related to the MMA’s work on bird conservation education.
MMA Artist-in-Residence Series
Photo courtesy of Charity Grace Mofsen
Charity Grace Mofsen
May 31 - August 5
33 Washington Street
MMA Artist-in-Residence Charity Grace Mofsen captures the island of Nantucket in all its glory – in light and at night. With a particular affinity for astrophotography, she believes there is always light, if you have eyes to see it. From fine art landscapes to intimate weddings, fun portrait sessions, and creative product photography, Mofsen finds joy sharing her love of Nantucket with the hope that others will also cherish the island’s natural beauty. Returning as an Artist-in-Residence for the Maria Mitchell Association, her work speaks to [wo]man’s connection to the cosmos. This year’s show will expand to include new work from off-island locations blessed with dark skies.
Gallery open hours will be held from 5:30pm – 7:30pm on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday starting May 31 and ending August 4 at 33 Washington Street (subject to changes). Please check our website calendar for up-to-date hours at: https://www.mariamitchell.org/calendar.
Programming Highlights
Nantucket Bird Walk
with Ginger Andrews
Sunday, June 9, 16, 23 and 30 | 7:45 -10am
Join Ginger Andrews for a bird walk that will allow you to explore various Nantucket habitats around town and beyond. This program also allows for indoor study, using the biological collections at the MMA Research Center.
Night-time has always had a mysterious appeal, which brings out a whole new cast of avian and other creatures. It requires patience, and a shift of consciousness from sight to hearing. Join the MMA's Field Ornithologist, Ginger Andrews, as we listen for calls of a variety of nocturnal animals and birds. We will watch for owls as they begin their nightly activity. While an owl sighting is not guaranteed, you will certainly be able to observe several fascinating nocturnal animal species.
Have you ever wondered how photographers capture the breathtaking, vivid Milky Way skyscapes? If so, come join the MMA’s Artist-in-Residence, Charity Grace Mofsen, for a night under the stars. Charity Grace will be giving a live demo of her artistic process using her mirrorless camera and star tracker to capture Nantucket’s beautiful night sky at one of her favorite island locations. Nantucket boasts some of the darkest night skies in the northeast, and the cosmos certainly puts on the best shows!
Birds, Bugs, & Bones: Still Life Sketching with the Biological Collections
Two Sessions:
Friday, June 28 | 3 - 5pm
Saturday, June 29 | 10am - 12pm
Join Ginger Andrews for an immersive and inspiring Still Life Sketching Workshop that taps into the rich biological collections of Nantucket and explores the intersection of art and science. Embrace the beauty of nature through your sketches and discover the art of still life in this enriching and engaging workshop. Join us and let Nantucket's biological treasures inspire your creativity!
Pre-registration is required for this one-of-a-kind-workshop.
Horseshoe crabs were some of Earth’s first astronomers! For over 450 million years, horseshoe crabs have been precisely coordinating their spawning behaviors with the lunar cycle to protect their eggs from marine predators. In celebration of International Horseshoe Crab Day and the summer solstice, join MMA Director of Astronomy, Dr. Regina Jorgenson, and MMA Aquarium Manager, Christina Norman, on a special interdisciplinary night walk on the beach as we search for horseshoe crabs, learn about horseshoe crab biology, and discuss the physics of lunar phases, seasons, and tides!
Our free community event with the Nantucket Film Festival aims to inspire young audiences to appreciate and protect our marine ecosystems. Activities and highlights will include a horseshoe crab feeding, horseshoe crab arts and crafts, free ice-cream, live music, hands-on interactive scientific learning activities, and many raffle giveaways (including a surfboard)!
Join MMA staff to learn about the fascinating ecology and geology of Nantucket's unique shoreline. We will explore and investigate the shells, bones, and lore of various types of marine plants and animals we encounter. What's that fish, snail, stone, and shore bird? Was that a seal?! Come get your ankles wet and start your training as a professional Nantucket beachcomber!
Pre-registration is suggested, walk-ins subject to availability.
A unique and extremely popular collaborative walking tour with the MMA's Deputy Director & Curator of the Mitchell House, the Preservation Trust, and the Nantucket Historical Association that looks at the changes in domestic life over four centuries and how it shaped homes, buildings, neighborhoods, and land use. Tour includes brief visits inside each building visited.
Registration is not necessary. Meet at the Oldest House at Sunset Hill at 10am. $10 per participant, cash only.
Preserving the Monuments of our Ancestors: How to Properly Clean Historic Gravestones
Saturday, June 15 | 10am - 12pm
Join the Curator of the Mitchell House and the Prospect Hill Cemetery Association Historian for a short talk about stone monuments and their conservation. The class will then move on to the Prospect Hill Cemetery where participants will learn how to properly clean stone monuments. Class will be hands on so please wear appropriate clothing.
Maria Mitchell and the Daring Daughters of Nantucket
Saturday, June 22 | 10am - 12pm
Join the Curator of the Maria Mitchell House for a walking tour concerning the lives of Maria Mitchell and Nantucket's famous and infamous women, as well as the lesser known women of our island. Learn why whaling, Quakerism, and the isolation of an island afforded these women opportunities that women elsewhere in America at the time were not afforded.
Check out our own podcast, "The Nature of Nantucket," brought to you by 97.7 ACKFM. This program airs on 97.7 every Sunday at 7:20am. You can listen to full episodes on Apple or Spotify. While you're there, don't forget to check out our weekly "Star Report," written and presented by the MMA Astronomy Research Fellows.
In this edition of “Looking Skyward," WCAI's John Basile talks with Dr. Regina Jorgenson of the Maria Mitchell Association Observatory about the recent display of Northern Lights across the world, caused by unusual solar activity.
Learn more about Maria Mitchell and the MMA with "Maria Mitchell's Attic," a blog written on a weekly basis by MMA Deputy Director and Curator, Jascin Leonardo Finger.
Private event and birthday party rentals are available under our tent at
33 Washington Street. For private events, we provide the staff and you provide the food and beverage through our exclusive catering partner, Island Kitchen. For birthday parties, we provide the MMA staff and a facilitated program, and you provide the food, beverages, and cake.
The Maria Mitchell Association creates opportunities for all to develop a life-long passion for science, through education, research, and first-hand exploration of the sky, land, and sea of Nantucket Island.
