Monday, October 12 in Observance of Indigenous Peoples' Day
Join Us Tonight
For the Stargazer Pilsner Launch Party
at Cisco Brewers!
Come by Cisco Brewers to celebrate Maria Mitchell’s pioneering legacy, sip something deliciously local, and support the MMA. $1 from every pint sold benefits the Maria Mitchell Association. Enjoy live music all afternoon and shop limited-edition 2026 Stargazer Pilsner merchandise, available while supplies last.
Dear Friends:
October is one of my favorite months on Nantucket. The air changes, the light changes, scalloping season begins, and there is something particularly wonderful about looking up on a crisp fall night sky.
This year, October at the MMA begins with a little bit of everything we love—science, tradition, community, and fun.
On October 1, our friends at Cisco Brewers will launch Stargazer Pilsner, created in celebration of Maria Mitchell's discovery of her comet on October 1, 1847, and our island’s long connection to the night sky. I hope you’ll join us at the Brewery from 4-7pm to raise a glass and kick off the month.
October 1 also marks the opening of recreational scalloping season, one of Nantucket’s great traditions. We’ll be offering scalloping trips throughout the month—a chance to get out on the water, learn about this remarkable local fishery, and experience firsthand one of the things that makes fall on Nantucket so special.
Then we turn our eyes to the sky. On October 9, join us at Loines Observatory for Miss Mitchell's Comet Party, followed by Release Day at the Aquarium on October 10, where we let all the fish return to the harbor. It will be a wonderful few days of astronomy, discovery, and celebration, and I hope you’ll be part of them.
And we have one more piece of very special news to share.
Thanks to the extraordinary generosity ofClarissa Porter, a historic house on Quince Street will become part of the Maria Mitchell Association family. We are deeply grateful to Clarissa for this remarkable gift and for her belief in the MMA and its future.
Historic properties are an important part of who we are. They connect us to the people and stories that came before us while giving us opportunities to imagine what comes next. We are honored to welcome Quince into the MMA family and look forward to sharing more about its future.
There is a lot happening at the MMA—and a lot to celebrate. Come have a Stargazer with us, get your feet wet scalloping, look up at the stars, and help us welcome a wonderful new chapter in our history.
September’s nor’easter brought some welcome migrants to Nantucket’s tangles where food and shelter gave refuge, and it’s likely we will see more of them on the back of bad weather in the ensuing weeks.
But this is also a good time to stop and appreciate some birds we take for granted, that have become unusual on the mainland.
Merlins, for example, were probably breeding in a couple of their usual secret places on the island. So we have been seeing them— or hearing them—fairly frequently. But Merlins are few and far between for many parts of the mainland.
Carolina Wrens still gave their piercing “teakettle-teakettle-teakettle” song at first light all summer long, or purred in the hedges. But it was a harder winter on the mainland and according to one observer their numbers are way down all over New England.
Think back to the days of their first arrivals in the 1980’s: we coddled them with fancy suet mixes and live mealworms, before our warmer winters became the norm. They are prolific and will rebound. But suddenly it seems we shouldn’t take them for granted.
This is also true of the Northern Harriers, another locally breeding raptor. We love their looping, moth-like flight over the dunes. But they are not as easily come by across the pond.
So, along with the Prairie Warblers and the Black-throated Greens, the Northern Parulas and the immature “Yellow-starts” that will transform into American Redstarts by next spring, take time to appreciate the Merlins and the Harriers, and yes, those tiny, noisy, pert little wrens.
MMA Nor'Easter News
Image from the Nantucket Historical Association
A Nantucket Shipwreck Makes Waves Again
A recent storm brought a piece of Nantucket’s maritime history to light. The Warren Sawyer, a three-masted ship carrying cotton and scrap iron from New Orleans to Boston, wrecked off Nantucket on December 22, 1884. After this month’s nor’easter, a likely remnant of the ship was uncovered due to erosion—more than 140 years later.
Jascin N. Leonardo Finger, Deputy Director of the Maria Mitchell Association, spoke with The New York Times about Nantucket’s long history of shipwrecks and the islanders’ tradition of salvaging materials from vessels that washed ashore.
In a September 27, 2026, article in the Nantucket Current, Maria Mitchell Association Senior Marine Science Advisor, Betsy Sherman, explores data from the MMA’s harbor monitoring buoy to reveal how the recent storm affected water temperature and salinity beneath the surface.
Celebrate the Anniversary of the Discovery of C1847VI
Loines Observatory, 59 Milk Street Ext.
Friday, October 9 | 7 - 9pm
On October 1st, 1847, Maria was sweeping the sky from the roof of the Pacific Bank on Main Street, where her father was the head Cashier and where they lived as a result of his position. She spotted a small blurry object that did not appear on her charts. She had discovered a comet! After achieving her fame, Maria was widely sought after and went on to many notable accomplishments. She resigned her post at the Atheneum in 1856 to travel throughout the US and Europe.
In 1865, Maria became Professor of Astronomy at the newly-founded Vassar College. She was a founder of the Association for the Advancement of Woman, the first woman member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and one of the first women members of the American Philosophical Society. Her position as the computer for the ephemeris of Venus for the US Nautical Almanac made her one of the first women to work for the US federal government.
Veronica Beard believes in “Paying it Forward.” You're invited to a shopping event on Friday, October 9 from 3 - 6pm at Veronica Beard, 11 South Water Street, to benefit the Maria Mitchell Association. Veronica Beard will donate 15% of proceeds to the MMA! Kindly RSVP to NantucketRSVP@veronicabeard.com
Can't attend the event? Contact (508) 556-9936 to place a phone order or stop in anytime throughout the weekend to support us. Please be sure to mention the Maria Mitchell Association at checkout!
Aquarium Release Day
MMA Aquarium, 32 Washington Street
Saturday, October 10 | 10am - 12pm
Sensory Friendly Half-Hour 9:30 - 10am
Each summer, the MMA Aquarium Manager, Chelsea Petrik, and her team of interns and volunteers explore Nantucket’s shores to collect marine life for the popular Washington Street Aquarium, giving visitors an up-close look at the incredible creatures that call our waters home.
When the season comes to a close, join us for a free community celebration to bid farewell to our marine friends, celebrate all we’ve learned from them, and return them safely to the ocean until we meet again!
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.
In a recent Nature of Nantucket podcast: Host and MMA Executive Director, Joanna Roche, speaks with Jan Turnquist, Executive Director of Louisa May Alcott’s Orchard House in Concord, Massachusetts—the historic home and museum where Alcott wrote much of Little Women.
This week’s Star Report, “Gravity Assists,” is brought to you by Geoff Clayton, who explores how spacecraft use Earth’s momentum and gravity to conserve rocket fuel as they travel to the outer planets.
Tune in to the Maria Mitchell Association on 97.7 ACKFM – The Nature of Nantucket airs every Sunday at 7:40am on 97.7 ACKFM, with full episodes available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. While you’re there, check out the weekly Star Report, written and presented by the MMA Astronomy Department.
Maria Mitchell's Attic
Written by MMA Deputy Director and Curator,
Jascin Leonardo Finger
Discover the stories behind Maria Mitchell and the Maria Mitchell Association with Maria Mitchell’s Attic. The blog uncovers fascinating stories, little-known details, and treasures from Maria Mitchell’s life and the Association’s rich history.
In the latest Maria Mitchell’s Attic, Jascin Leonardo Finger writes about “Maria Mitchell in Her Own Words”.
Join the Maria Mitchell Aquarium Manager, Chelsea Petrik, on a scalloping adventure! As we collect and observe bay scallops, we will learn all about their biology and the challenges they face. Waders and hand nets will be provided!
Pre-registration is required and closes 2 hours before the start time of the program. Personal transport to and from the meeting location is required to participate. Participants will be notified on the location prior to the program start.
Friday, October 2 | 9:30am - 1pm. Limited Spots Remain!
Saturday, October 3 | 10:30am - 2pm. Sold Out.
Discover Nantucket through its most cherished traditions and hidden corners. This bespoke island journey offers insider access to secret scalloping spots and the island's timeless charm, all seen through the eyes of true island insiders. A truly priceless experience
Your Experience Includes:
⚓ Master Scalloping Expedition — Harvest, shuck, and savor fresh Nantucket bay scallops alongside seasoned local scalloper, Captain Bruce Beebe, aboard his boat on Nantucket's waters. A picnic lunch and beverages are included.
This program will offer 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.
Pre-registration is required and registration closes at 3pm the day before the program. Materials are provided.
Set against the lush backdrop of Nantucket, this class encourages curiosity, mindfulness, and creativity while introducing techniques in observational drawing and nature journaling. Whether you are new to art or have years of experience, this relaxed and engaging program offers a unique way to experience Nantucket through a creative lens.
Pre-registration is required and registration closes at 3pm the day before the program. Materials are provided.
Not offered Saturday, October 10 – Join us instead for Aquarium Release Day!
Join MMA staff on a tour as they feed the hungry animals at the Natural Science Museum. Learn about the unique adaptations of turtles, frogs, snakes, and more!
Not offered Saturday, October 10 – Join us instead for Aquarium Release Day!
Unleash your creativity! Join MMA staff for nature-inspired crafting, where young makers and their families can explore the wonders of the natural world through hands-on projects. Come curious, leave with a masterpiece!
Not offered Saturday, October 10 – Join us instead for Aquarium Release Day!
Join MMA Natural Science Museum staff to uncover more about the world of science! We may take a deep dive into the microscopic world, investigate shark biology, make agar art, or even collect plankton!
Young explorers and their caregivers will dance, wiggle, stomp, flap, and slither their way through the animal kingdom while enjoying stories, imaginative play, crafts, and hands-on activities.
Each session invites participants to explore the intersections of science, technology, engineering, art, and math through creative challenges, guided investigations, and collaborative projects.
Dive into the science of Nantucket’s waters through hands-on experiments, investigations, specimen exploration, and creative challenges. Each session features a new marine science theme—from local wildlife and coastal ecosystems to water quality, ocean technology, and conservation. Come explore, investigate, and discover the science of our blue world!
Meet at the MMA Research Center at 2 Vestal Street
Thursday, October 29 | 5 - 7pm
Join the MMA's Field Ornithologist, Ginger Andrews, as we listen for calls of a variety of nocturnal animals and birds during our special spooky edition H'Owl Watch program.
Celebrate Halloween the Maria Mitchell way—through science, nature, and a touch of spooky fun! After your downtown trick-or-treating adventure, meet a MMA Naturalist at the Pocket Park at the corner of Fair Street and Main Street, for a twilight walk from downtown Nantucket to the historic Hinchman House Natural Science Museum.
Along the way, we’ll explore the eerie side of Nantucket’s natural world—discovering animal adaptations that might just give you goosebumps, uncovering ghostly island lore, and completing a Halloween-themed nature scavenger hunt. You’ll even collect materials to create your own vampire bat leaf craft back at the museum!
Join the Maria Mitchell Association this fall for our Fall After-School Series I 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!
The Maria Mitchell Association is excited to offer free early release day programming for Nantucket Public School students in Grades K–5! Pre-registration is required (registration opens one week prior to the program) and spaces are limited.
Wednesday, November 25 | Two Sessions: 7pm and 8pm
Join our astronomers for a special Thanksgiving edition of Stargazing. 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!
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.
