June is here—and with it come beach days, starry nights, and those unforgettable sunsets that make our island so magical in the summer months. I like to think of it this way: you have sixteen Sundays between now and September. Sixteen chances to slow down, explore, and experience something meaningful.
Why not make a bucket list of the things you’d love to do—big or small—that inspire you each week? At the Maria Mitchell Association, our summer list is full of wonder, nature, and discovery, all rooted in the unique beauty of Nantucket.
Here’s what’s on our MMA Summer Bucket List:
Stargazing at Loines Observatory and catching a glimpse of Jupiter’s Moons
Visiting the Aquarium to meet the newest marine arrivals with Christina Norman and her team
Searching for sand dollars at Surfside Beach
Hiking the Coast-to-Coast Trail across the island
Taking the Daring Daughters Walk with Jascin Leonardo Finger and learning about Nantucket’s incredible women
Swimming at Steps Beach with the glow of phosphorescence
Laying on Surfside Beach during the Perseid Meteor Shower under the Milky Way
Reading Denice Kronau’s new book with your toes in the sand
Talking harbor health with Rich Blundell
Going on a metal detecting adventure with Nikoline Bohr
Taking a botanical drawing class
Joining a bird walk with Ginger Andrews
Attending a Learning Lab with Jeannie Esti—discover how curiosity drives success
Driving out to Great Point to visit the lighthouse
Snorkeling as a family and discovering the life below the surface
Hearing National Geographic's Kike Calvo speak about the connection between science and creativity.
Visit our website calendar to learn more about all of our exciting summer programs and to register.
Amid all this adventure, we also hope you take moments to sit still, breathe deeply, and simply be grateful—for this island, for summer, and for each other.
Thank you for being part of the MMA family. Your participation and support make everything we do possible. We couldn’t do it without you.
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 9.
View our calendar for all the exciting programs ahead!
The MMA is delighted to officially welcome our class of 2025 interns! The Maria Mitchell Association internship program started in 1908 and has hosted over 859 interns since then. This year, we received over 800 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 is proud to announce its 2025 Marine Science Research and Mentoring Program for students grades eight through twelve. In collaboration with the Great Harbor Yacht Club Foundation (GHYCF), the Nantucket Shellfish Association (NSA), and the Town of Nantucket Natural Resources Department Brant Point Shellfish Hatchery (ToN BPSH), the Marine Science Research and Mentoring Program is an immersive two-week marine science program for students passionate about marine science and environmental stewardship. This summer, the program will include various interactive activities with an extraordinary opportunity to engage in real-world Nantucket Bay Scallop science research, gain hands-on experience in field studies, and work alongside expert mentors in a dynamic scientific environment all while giving students a comprehensive understanding of marine biology and environmental science.
The Marine Science Research and Mentoring Program will run across five, two-week sessions during the summer of 2025. The sessions are as follows:
Our Third Annual Winemaker Dinner was a huge success! The MMA collaborated with Bernard Sun, Maison Louis Jadot, Champagne Taittinger, and EJ Harvey – Proprietor of The Seagrille – for an evening of sensational wine, food, and celestial wonder. Thank you to all who attended and we look forward to next year!
Saddle up for a Night at the MM Ranch and embark on a Wild West adventure—Nantucket style!
Savor a fireside feast crafted by Island Kitchen, sip on ranch water and smooth whiskey sours, and enjoy an evening of stargazing on the Nantucketfrontier. Kick up your boots and dance the night away at our honky-tonk, featuring live music by country music sensation, the Ben Allen Band.
Our Stargazer Gala is a truly special evening, with all proceeds directly supporting our 650 annual public programs and summer Internship Program.
These initiatives inspire a lifelong passion for science by engaging learners of all ages in education, research, and hands-on exploration of
Nantucket's sky, land, and sea.
Secure your table package and tickets today before this unforgettable adventure rides off into the sunset.
Yeehaw!
Pleaseclick hereif you are interested in becoming (or returning as!) a sponsor this year or contact Amy Young at ayoung@mariamitchell.org.
June Programming
Nantucket Bird Walk
with Ginger Andrews
Sundays Beginning June 8 | 7:45 - 10am
Explore Nantucket’s birdy landscapes and hidden nooks with local bird guide and Inquirer & Mirror columnist, Ginger Andrews. With so many varied habitats so close together, the Island is a great place to look and listen for birds. Our location out at sea makes for a fascinating mix of migratory species and year-round residents. Dry humor—always useful in a foggy environment—natural and human history, unexpected rarities, and other stories fill out the picture.
Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays June 9 - 27 | 9:30 - 10:30pm
Monday, June 30 | 9 - 9:45pm and 10 - 10:45pm
Join us for a special evening of stargazing at the famed Loines Observatory. Our astronomers will lead an impressive tour of Nantucket’s night sky and guide you in viewing astronomical objects through our historic 8-inch Alvan Clark refractor and our modern 24-inch research telescope. Get a chance to view the Moon, planets, star clusters, nebulae, and even other galaxies!
Tuesdays Beginning June 10 | 9:30 - 10:30am and 11am - 12pm
Join expert metal detectorist, Nikoline Bohr, for an exciting, hands-on adventure designed just for kids! This one-hour beachside program invites young explorers to learn the basics of metal detecting in a fun and engaging way. Participants will discover how to use a metal detector, all while searching for hidden treasures on the beautiful shores of Nantucket. Whether your child is curious about history, loves treasure hunting, or simply enjoys outdoor activities, this program provides a safe, educational, and enjoyable experience. Come uncover the secrets buried in the sand and experience the thrill of discovery!
Join expert metal detectorist, Nikoline Bohr, for an exciting afternoon on the beautiful shores of Nantucket! This hands-on introductory course is designed for adults eager to explore the world of metal detecting. Participants will learn the fundamentals of operating a metal detector, from basic techniques to uncovering hidden treasures buried beneath the sand. Whether you’re a beginner or just looking to refine your skills, this adventure offers a unique opportunity to connect with the thrill of discovery in a relaxed, enjoyable setting.
Join the MMA's Executive Director, Joanna Roche, on a peaceful one hour walk (up to 2 miles on uneven terrain) under the light of the full Moon. The "Strawberry Moon" is the name for the full moon that occurs in June, given by Native American tribes to mark the time when strawberries are in season. This designation has roots in the abundance of wild strawberries and other seasonal fruits available during June, making it a time for celebration and gathering.
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.
Step outside and immerse yourself in the natural beauty of Nantucket with En Plein Air, an outdoor painting and drawing class designed to help you capture the island's stunning landscapes in vibrant color. Led by Nikoline Bohr, this class will guide you through the techniques of plein air painting—creating art directly from nature. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced artist, you’ll learn how to observe, sketch, and paint the beauty of Nantucket’s beaches, gardens, and historic architecture. This hands-on experience will inspire your creativity and allow you to bring the island’s charm to life on canvas or paper. Join us for a relaxing and enriching session that combines the joys of art, nature, and the breathtaking scenery of Nantucket.
Join Dr. Rich Blundell for casual morning conversations centered around the Harbor Health buoy monitoring initiative. These bi-weekly gatherings offer a unique opportunity to explore the latest data from Nantucket's harbor monitoring system while connecting with community members interested in marine ecology.
Join Darren Humphreys, founder and CEO of Travel Sommelier, for an inspiring conversation about the art of transformative travel. Discover how his award-winning boutique travel company crafts seamless, one-of-a-kind itineraries to some of the world’s most captivating destinations—each experience tailored with precision, passion, and purpose.
After a successful career on Wall Street, Humphreys followed his true calling and founded Travel Sommelier, fueled by a deep-rooted wanderlust and a desire to share the power of meaningful travel. He takes pride in curating journeys that do more than check boxes—they change lives.
Having explored over ninety countries across every continent, Humphreys continues to find magic in every destination—immersing himself in diverse cultures, untold histories, and unforgettable culinary experiences. From introducing travelers to his native South Africa to uncovering hidden gems around the globe, he invites you to see the world through a richer, more personal lens. Join him and his team as they reveal the thoughtful process behind Travel Sommelier’s approach—and prepare to be inspired.
Pre-registration is required for Zoom. Free to the public.
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 Aquarium Manager, Christina Norman, and MMA's Interim Astronomy Director, Geoff Clayton, 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!
Participants learn tangible methods for cultivating new relationships with natural systems through sensory awareness, movement, contemplation, and creative expression.
These hands-on experiences provide practical tools for continuing ecological awakening beyond the program while demonstrating how embodied intelligence creates pathways toward more meaningful and sustainable ways of living.
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 may include brief visits inside buildings visited.
Pre-registration is required. Meet at the Oldest House at Sunset Hill at 10am.
Preserving the Monuments of our Ancestors: How to Properly Clean Historic Gravestones
Saturday, June 14 | 10am - 12pm
Join the Curator of the Mitchell House 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 21 | 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.
What is so rare as a day in June? We wonder, as last winter reappeared with snow and ice after a three-year absence and spring turned chill after a warm beginning. Will we have Juneuary? But weather aside, breeding birds are here and going about their business.
Ospreys are sitting on nests, some since early March. So, some will be hatching soon. Females lay one to four eggs; average: three. Young hatch up to five days apart.
When you see only the top of the female’s head, down in the nest, she is incubating. If she is glued to the nest, tearing up fish with her beak and bobbing her head up and down, she’s probably feeding young.
The first to peck its way out of the shell has the advantage of a head start, growing faster, and perhaps monopolizing food. If there is not enough for all, its siblings may starve. This may sound cruel, but it’s a reality of the bird world. Dad, as the provider, eats first, then Mom, then junior, and the rest in order of appearance. Ospreys live 20 to 25 years, so even complete lack of success in any one year is of less importance for them than for shorter-lived birds. And since DDT was banned in 1972, they have doubled their population every five years in New England.
Nantucket’s Ospreys have been very successful over recent years, with about 40 nests currently active. Not all of them are necessarily going to raise young this year. Some may be young birds just “housekeeping” and do not yet have the hang of things. Experienced females, from four to six years old, start sooner in the season. They’ve learned the intricacies of incubation, brooding, and feeding. They are better at protecting chicks from excessive cold or heat. Osprey parents often reunite as pairs; males with good fishing skills raise more young. Of course, fish have to co-operate by being plentiful; but that’s luck.
Osprey images by Tom Griswold
2025 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. 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 Bird-A-Thon took place between 5pm May 16 and 5pm May 17, with 25 participants. Although the weather was iffy—and when is it not—with poor visibility at times, 84 Species were tallied in the 24-hour period.
Highlights included spring warblers such as American Redstart, Northern Parula, Bay-breasted and Blackpoll. Three Red Knots were a shorebird highlight; a Black-necked Stilt was also a good find. The Sandhill Crane was spotted. Also included were all three corvids, three species of swallows, three types of tern, and three species of plover.
The Bird-A-Thon raises money to help maintain the Edith F. Andrews Ornithological Collection, composed of over 1500 study skins prepared from salvaged birds. They are used by researchers and teachers.
MMA Updates
“The Nature of Nantucket” and “The Star Report”
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 7:40am. 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.
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.
Stargazing Open Nights on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays beginning the week of June 9: 9:30 - 10:30pm and Monday, June 30: 9 - 9:45pm and 10 - 10:45pm.
The MMA Aquarium and Gift Shop, 32 Washington Street
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.
