May eComet

 

May has arrived, bringing with it one of the most beautiful times of year on Nantucket—longer days, warming breezes, birdsong, and the unmistakable sense of the island coming back to life.

 

It’s a season of renewal, and here at the Maria Mitchell Association, it is also a season of connection. I am SO grateful for those who joined our circus theme at Daffy – it was truly magical.  Your presence, enthusiasm, and support made it a joyful and memorable start to the season. These moments remind us how special this community is—and how central you are to everything we do.

 

As we look ahead, there is much to be excited about. We are eagerly preparing for the arrival of the Stargazer Circus July 23-26 and can’t wait to be together in celebration of science, community, and shared experience. We hope to see many of you there.

 

 

Membership is the foundation of the Maria Mitchell Association. It is the steady, reliable support we count on year after year to sustain our operations, care for our historic properties, and deliver the programs and experiences that define the MMA. Quite simply, membership makes our work possible.

 

When you become a member, you are doing more than gaining access—you are investing in education, discovery, and preservation. You are ensuring that families can explore our Aquarium, that students can look up at the night sky through our telescopes, and that this remarkable legacy continues to thrive.

 

Of course, there are many ways to engage with the MMA—attending programs, enrolling in camp, supporting the Annual Fund or Capital Campaign—but membership is the single most impactful place to begin. It provides the essential operating support that allows everything else to happen.

 

As we move into this vibrant season, I invite you to join us—or renew your membership—and consider enrolling in auto-renewal so your support continues seamlessly. Your membership is not just appreciated; it is essential.

 

 

With gratitude,

Joanna Roche

Executive Director

Join the MMA for our biggest fundraising event of the year, the Stargazer Gala: A Night at the Circus

 

Inspired by the fearless spirit of curiosity and discovery that defined Maria Mitchell—America’s first professional female astronomer—this extraordinary evening brings the joy of exploration to life through breathtaking performances, lively celebration, and unforgettable enchantment.
  

 

This year, we are honored to partner with Larry and MaryAnn Tsai of Moone-Tsai Winery in Napa Valley. As Robb Report recently noted, after earning top accolades and being poured at the White House, the Imperial Palace of Japan, and 10 Downing Street, the Tsais have released what they call their magnum opus: Moone Tsai 2021 Leonidas.

 

Adding to the magic, our dear friend and longtime MMA supporter, EJ Harvey, Chef/Owner of The Seagrille, will curate a delicious, locally inspired menu.

 

The evening will begin with Champagne Taittinger as guests take in the sunset, and will conclude with stargazing beneath the Nantucket sky alongside MMA Director of Astronomy, Dr. Jackie Milingo.

 

The Architectural Firm, Workshop/APD, will be joining us to share the vision and plans for the new Discovery Center & Aquarium Project.

 

 

Join the Maria Mitchell Association for an unforgettable evening of stargazing at the Loines Observatory. Sip on Taylor Fladgate cocktails, rosé wine, and other indulgent treats as the stars take over for the night.

 

MMA Astronomer, Dr. Jackie Milingo, will guide you through the constellations and invite you to peer at distant celestial bodies, through the historic 8" Alvan Clark telescope and the 24" Cassegran research telescope. Learn more about the constellations, phases of the moon, the planets, and Nantucket’s night sky.

 

Honoring the pioneering legacy of female leadership and empowerment on Nantucket, join us to celebrate women in the food and wine world who have been trailblazers and broke barriers in the male-dominated industry through innovation, mentorship, and by redefining professional techniques.

 

Join us for lively discussion led by Moderator, Wanda Mann, and enjoy a lovely lobster luncheon featuring the creations of three highly acclaimed female chefs and three exceptional vintages of Veuve Clicquot, including La Grande Dame. Dine alongside women vintners, chefs, and sommeliers, and engage with thought leaders who are redefining the food and wine world—while reflecting on the enduring legacy of female leadership that has long defined Nantucket.

 

A special thanks to our Presenting Sponsor, Veuve Clicquot.

 

Veronica Beard believes in the power of community and paying it forward. This May, Veronica Beard is partnering with the Maria Mitchell Association for a special shopping event in support of our organization. From 3–6pm, on May 29, 15% of all in-store and online purchases will be donated to benefit the MMA.

Join us and help support our incredible work!

 

This free introductory workshop will guide you through the exciting world of metal detecting! The talk will explain the key principles of successful metal detecting such as metal detecting method, understanding location, ethics, and gear. 

 

The talk will be followed by a display of both common and interesting finds and an interactive equipment demonstration. Whether you're a complete beginner or looking to refine your skills, you'll learn the basics of how metal detectors work, how to properly use and maintain equipment, and how to safely and effectively search for treasures.

 

 

Join the MMA on a peaceful one hour walk (up to 2 miles on uneven terrain) under the light of the full Moon. Discover the legends and narratives of the past and present. Enjoy the tranquility of the quiet night sky and learn about our Moon's current themes and its important symbolism

 

The Flower Moon is the traditional name for the full Moon in May, named by Native American tribes for the abundance of flowers blooming in North America as spring fully arrives, symbolizing new growth, fertility, and the start of planting season, with other names like Budding Moon or Planting Moon reflecting this vibrant, renewing time.

 

The Blue Moon isn't usually blue; it's special because it's an "extra" full moon. There are two common definitions: the second full moon in a single calendar month, or the third full moon in a season that has four instead of the usual three. This happens every two to three years, making it a relatively rare event. The name itself comes from the old saying "once in a blue moon" to describe something that happens infrequently.

 

 

Join the curator of the Maria Mitchell House, Jascin Leonardo Finger, 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.

 

 

A unique and extremely popular collaborative walking tour with the MMA's Deputy Director & Curator of the Mitchell House, the Nantucket 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.

 

 

Explore Nantucket’s birdy landscapes and hidden nooks with local bird guide and Inquirer and 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. Children 8 and up are welcome with an adult guardian. Loaner binoculars available. Wear sensible shoes, dress for the weather. You never know what may turn up.

 

 

Join the MMA astronomers for an impressive tour of Nantucket’s night sky. 

This community centered stargazing program is designed to be engaging and interactive for all ages but with a focus on young adults and students of K-12 grades, and provides an excellent opportunity for students, educators, and families of Nantucket to visit the Loines Observatory and learn more about the night sky. 

 

 

Join our professional astronomers for an impressive tour of Nantucket’s night sky. MMA astronomy staff will 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! 

 

 

 

 

Join the MMA After-School Series, designed for students in Grades K–5. Each day of the week offers a unique set of nature-based activities, crafts, and adventures as we explore Nantucket Island together. School might be out, but the curiosity never stops!

 

 

On Nantucket, barn owls play a vital role in controlling rodent populations, supporting both the ecosystem and the community.

 

Through ongoing monitoring, the Maria Mitchell Association tracks their distribution, breeding success, and response to environmental change—while engaging the public in protecting this unique island population.

 

With your support, we can expand hands-on education and continue the legacy of Dr. Bob Kennedy, whose leadership helped grow Nantucket’s nest box network to more than seventy boxes—ensuring future generations are inspired to care for wildlife.

If you already own a Barn Owl box, don’t forget to renew your annual Barn Owl Membership to continue supporting this important work!

 

Contact: programs@mariamitchell.org.

 

In May our thoughts turn to colorful migrants. But ocean-cooled Nantucket never guarantees mainland warmth or what we think of as spring-like weather. So, what of spring-like birds?

 

Weather aside, we never know what might turn up here unexpectedly. For example, Yellow-throated Warblers are very rare here. But if there is one thing we can say about Nantucket, it is “expect the unexpected.” In breeding plumage, warblers are at their most colorful and expressive, making identification easier. A good look at any warbler is hard to get; they are so fast, so flighty, so determinedly on their way elsewhere. To document a rarity, a photo is the accepted standard. But with a good, detailed description of exactly what you saw and how you eliminated any other possible—or more likely—species, you will still have your own personal observation. And if the bird hangs around, it may be confirmed by another observer.

 

It helps to know what is common. Six or seven species of warblers nest on Nantucket, and May is a great time to catch the early ones. Pine Warblers are among the first, followed by Common Yellow-throats, prospecting Northern Parulas, the ultra-yellow Yellow Warblers, and American Redstarts.

 

Summer one day, winter the next, is typical Nantucket weather. But even on the windiest, chilliest days, there is still plenty to look at. We can watch Ospreys delivering fish, American Robins carrying nesting material, or even, with luck, catch a glimpse of a Northern Harrier making a food-pass, “air-mailing” a vole to a mate whose nest is well-hidden in shrubs. Willets, our loudest saltmarsh nesters—will be giving their alarm calls as they set up nesting territory. And the hardiest beach-nesters—Piping Plover and American Oystercatchers—are already busy working to get the next generation underway.

 

How many birds can local birders find in twenty-four hours? It’s a challenge island birders have been giving themselves for more than twenty years. The MMA invites birders of all ages—experienced and novice—on Nantucket to participate in our annual Bird-A-Thon. At the close, birders come together to pool their lists and see how many species were recorded in that snapshot of time.

 

The goal of the Bird-A-Thon is to encourage participants to notice birds in their daily lives. Following the end of the event, the MMA will host a live count session to officially tally the species seen, at the MMA Research Center on Saturday, May 16, at 5:30pm.

 

The MMA is proud to announce the return of its 2026 Marine Science Research and Mentoring Program for students grades eight through twelve. This immersive program for students passionate about marine science and environmental stewardship is generously supported by the Great Harbor Yacht Club Foundation.

 

This summer, the program will include various interactive activities with an extraordinary opportunity to engage in real-world Nantucket Harbor ecology and 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. Students will learn from local conservation collaborators including the Nantucket Conservation Foundation, the Town of Nantucket Natural Resources Departments, Brant Point Shellfish Hatchery, and many other organizations and independent stewards.

 

The Marine Science Research and Mentoring Program will run across five, two-week sessions this summer. Students will dive deep into topics such as Water Quality and Marine Chemistry, Coastal Ecology and Biodiversity, and Applied Environmental Monitoring.

The MMA is committed to fostering a lifelong passion for science and nature by connecting youth to our local environment through hands-on exploration and inspiring action to protect our planet.

 

Campers ages five to sixteen participate in a wide range of programs including Wee Explorers, Habitat Hoppers, Junior Scientists, Junior Astronomers, Junior Historians, Eco-Investigators, and Nantucket Nature Bound. 

 

These programs feature activities such as beach exploration, snorkeling, seining, kayaking, discovery hikes, wetland studies, survival skills instruction, live animal programs, orienteering, astronomy exploration, nature-related games, art projects, insect collecting, and more.

 

Register today to explore the sky, land, and sea of Nantucket Island with the MMA this summer! 

Thanks to a generous gift from the Ella George Children's Foundation (EGCF), the MMA is able to offer scholarship opportunities for eligible Nantucket Island residents and visitors. Any family who can demonstrate a need is encouraged to apply here.

 

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 MMA astronomy staff member, Dr. Geoffrey Clayton.

Listen here.

 

Seekers Summit is a treasure hunting convention that took place in Tucson, Arizona. With over 900 attendees this event hosted America's largest live treasure hunt with a $10,000 prize. The convention also featured expert treasure hunters and treasure hunt creators featured on Netflix, the History Channel, and HBO+. 

 

Bohr was asked to speak and share her knowledge of metal detecting ethics, community practices, nature conservation, and historical preservation. She enjoyed meeting so many fellow treasure hunters and offering helpful insight and guidance to such a wonderful community of enthusiastic individuals.

 

 

 

 

The Hinchman House Natural Science Museum and Gift Shop, 7 Milk Street:

10am - 2pm, Saturday, May 2 and Sunday, May 3

 

Research Center, 2 Vestal Street:

By appointment only. Please e-mail jgurley@mariamitchell.org

 

Loines Observatory, 59 Milk Street, Ext.:

 

The Vestal Street Observatory, 3 Vestal Street, MMA Aquarium, 32 Washington Street, and the Historic Mitchell House, 1 Vestal Street will re-open for the 2026 season on Thursday, June 11.

 

The MMA Administrative Offices will be closed Monday, May 25 in Observance of Memorial Day.