June on Nantucket is here, and with it comes one of our favorite things - welcoming our incoming group of interns. This year we received more than 800 applications for just 35 spots. Their energy, curiosity, and talent are extraordinary, and we are proud to continue providing this remarkable opportunity.
We are also delighted to welcome Venardos Circus to Nantucket for six public performances this July, including a seventh performance at our Stargazer Gala. I hope you will bring your family and experience the magic of a truly old-fashioned circus: jugglers, aerialists, contortionists, comedians, acrobats, and so much more. Ringmaster extraordinaire, Kevin Venardos, brings with him a spirit of wonder, imagination, and curiosity that feels especially fitting for our island community.
Tickets for the Stargazer Circus are on sale now and available through our website.
Our facilities open on June 11, and we hope you will join us to explore the connections between sky, land, and sea at our observatory, natural science museum, historic birthplace of Maria Mitchell, and aquarium.
Thank you, as always, for your support. Your generosity makes it possible for us to continue inspiring discovery and learning across all that we do.
This year's Stargazer Gala, welcomes Venardos Circus, a dazzling Broadway-style production under an intimate big-top tent and includes elevated bites, curated concessions, live and silent auctions, and musical entertainment post circus performance. Be amazed by world-class acrobats, breathtaking aerialists, and dazzling jugglers as moments of humor, heart, and spectacle come together in a show-stopping performance for a night full of exploration, thrill, and wonder.
All proceeds support the MMA’s Internship Program, advancing its mission to inspire a lifelong passion for science through education, research, and hands-on exploration of Nantucket’s sky, land, and sea. Each year, the MMA serves more than 20,000 learners, helping to cultivate the next generation of scientists and environmental stewards.
Pleaseclick hereif you are interested in becoming (or returning as) a sponsor this year or contact Amy Young at ayoung@mariamitchell.org.
Loines Observatory Programming
Stargazing Open Nights at Loines Observatory
Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays June 12 - 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!
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.
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.
Discover Nantucket’s shoreline through the eyes of a bird! Kids’ Bird Watching is a fun, hands-on coastal adventure where young explorers will learn how to spot, listen for, and identify local birds alongside the MMA Natural Science Museum staff. Using binoculars, field guides, and field notebooks, participants will track bird sightings while exploring the island’s coastal habitats.
Along the way, children will uncover how birds connect to Nantucket’s unique ecosystems—building curiosity, observation skills, and a deeper appreciation for nature. Designed for ages 7+, this program includes a short shoreline walk (about 0.5 miles each way). Adults and chaperones are welcome to join at no extra cost.
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.
Walk beneath the glow of June’s “Strawberry Moon” with the MMA's Executive Director, Joanna Roche, on a peaceful evening stroll across Nantucket. During this one-hour guided walk (up to 2 miles on uneven terrain), participants will explore stories, legends, and symbolism connected to the Moon—past and present—while enjoying the calm beauty of the island at night. Named by Native American tribes to mark the season of ripening wild strawberries, the Strawberry Moon has long been associated with abundance, celebration, and the arrival of summer. Along the way, you’ll learn about the Moon’s current phase, cultural meanings, and the quiet wonder of the night sky.
Experience an evening of creativity and inspiration during this special art program at the Maria Mitchell Association Natural Science Museum. Led by artist, Nikoline Bohr, participants will create a personalized work of art while learning foundational painting techniques through step-by-step instruction and live demonstrations.
This program will feature subjects inspired by Nantucket’s iconic lighthouses as well as select resident animal ambassadors from the Museum’s collection, offering participants a unique opportunity to explore art through both natural history and island culture. Whether you are picking up a paintbrush for the first time or already enjoy creating art, this relaxed and welcoming program encourages creativity, observation, and artistic expression at your own pace. Leave with a finished piece of art to take home and enjoy.
EVENING ART REGISTRATION
En Plein Air and
Outdoor Painting & Drawing
En Plein Air: Monday, June 15 and 22 | 10 - 11:30am
Outdoor Art: Monday, June 15 and 22 | 2 - 3:30pm
Step outside and immerse yourself in the natural beauty of Nantucket with outdoor painting and drawing classes 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—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.
Money touches nearly every aspect of our lives, but have you ever wondered how it really works? Join the MMA and financial expert Rich Sotell, a nationally recognized 401(k) advisor, for an engaging discussion on one of humanity's most important inventions.
What is money, and why does it have value? Explore the fascinating science behind currency, markets, and financial decision-making. From the psychology of spending to the mathematics of investing and inflation, this presentation will examine the scientific principles that shape our financial systems. Discover the hidden forces that influence economies and gain a deeper understanding of the role money plays in our everyday lives.
Pre-registration is required for Zoom. Free to the public.
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 13 | 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 20 | 10am - 12pm
Join the Curator of the 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.
A great time for you and your child to learn and create together! Join the curator of the Mitchell House and create your own version of a sailors’ valentine by decorating a small Shaker-style box or picture frame – something to be enjoyed for years to come. We provide all of the supplies – you bring your imagination and creativity! Adult must remain with child for entire program.
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, Chelsea Petrik, and MMA's Astronomy Director, Dr. Jackie Milingo, 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!
Explore Nantucket’s shoreline with the MMA during this hands-on beach adventure! Join MMA Aquarium staff as we uncover the secrets of the coast through beachcombing, marine life discovery, and shoreline exploration. From shells and seaweed to rocks and hidden beach treasures, participants will learn how Nantucket’s beaches are shaped by ecology, geology, and ocean life. Along the way, you’ll discover fascinating coastal creatures, unique shoreline features, and the stories the tide leaves behind.
Have you ever wondered what it takes to care for reptiles, amphibians, fish, and other fascinating creatures? Become an animal keeper for a day and experience it firsthand! Participants will help prepare diets, feed members of our living collection, clean and refresh enclosures, and learn how we keep our animal ambassadors healthy and thriving with MMA Natural Science staff. Be ready to roll up your sleeves—animal care can be a messy (but exciting!) job.
Despite their flashy tails, American Redstarts are one of our more obscure Warblers breeding on Nantucket. But they have a reliable habitat in the trees near the Trustees parking lot in Wauwinet.
Keep Calm and Bird On!
American Redstarts are one of six warblers reliably breeding on Nantucket. They have consistently nested in Wauwinet over many years, so it’s fun to see if they are back. This year a few were spotted early in other places, such as Madaket, Windswept Bog, or Town.
Common Yellowthroat, Pine, Prairie, Black-and-white, and Northern Yellow warblers are also consistent summer residents, raising their families here for a few months every year. Occasionally an Ovenbird or Northern Parula has remained all summer too. As migrants headed out for climes further north have mostly moved on, it’s time to concentrate on our summer breeding birds.
Many birds return to places where they hatched, or were successful at reproducing the previous year. But some may have hacked out new territory last fall, when birds of the year, wandering in every direction before heading south, explore new territory.
Males usually arrive first in the Spring, claim a spot, and sing to “record the deed” as it were, to their property. Every morning they announce that they have survived another night and are still in possession. But behavior is what tells us what’s going on.
Do you see a bird carrying nesting material such as vines, rootlets, feathers, grass, twigs, hair, or mud? Do you see multiple trips? Is a bird carrying visible food such as caterpillars, butterflies, dragonflies, or moths? Do you see squabbles, courtship flights, fluttering wings of begging females or young? Do you hear a chorus of begging noises whenever a parent disappears into a bush?
Simply sitting still in a quiet spot is a good way to see birds. A car makes a good mobile observation blind. The best time is very early in the morning, when it’s quiet, and raptors—and people—are not as active. It is a truly magical time of day. Birds also get busy again the last hour or so before sunset, but there’s often more human disturbance. Get up early; it’s worth it.
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 Department.
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. Read here.
MMA SummerHours – Beginning Thursday, June 11!
Aquarium, Natural Science Museum, Gift Shop & Historic Mitchell House Monday–Friday: 10am–4pm Saturday: 10am–1pm
Vestal Street Observatory Monday–Saturday: 11am–1pm
Loines Observatory Stargazing Open Nights(beginning June 12) Monday, Wednesday & Friday through June 26: 9:30–10:30pm.
Monday, Wednesday & Friday beginning June 29: 9 - 9:45pm.
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.
