'Sconset

Situation, 120 miles S.E. of the Hub of the Universe; 50 miles out in the Ocean. Nearest land East, Portugal. Ditto South, the West Indies. Neither in sight. 200 houses, big and little, perched on a grassy bluff. Such is 'Sconset. Real name SIAsconset... .A place with a history written and unwritten—mostly unwritten. A veritable PATCHWORK village.

E. F. Underhill's '"Sconset in a Nutshell," 1895

'Sconset:

One island, two towns: Nantucket and 'Sconset—Nantucket town placed centrally on the island's harbor, the village of 'Sconset clustered at its eastern end, looking out into the Atlantic Ocean. How could there exist in the midst of one of the most charming, historic, and beautiful islands in the world, a village even more remote, more trapped in time, more evocative and whimsical, dare one say, even more beautiful than Nantucket itself?

This difference within such similarity is captured by a well-known tale that has achieved the quality of a local myth: Two ladies stand in the ticket line at an airport in Athens, Greece. One notices that the other is wearing a Nantucket lightship basket on her arm. She taps her on the shoulder and says, "I couldn't help noticing that you're from Nantucket, and so am I." To which the other replies, "O heavens, no, my dear, I am from 'Sconset!"

It is difficult to describe the essence of 'Sconset, except to hint that it is perhaps indescribable. Edward Underhill, one of the village's early promoters, comes very close:

Life out-of-doors, under awnings on the beach or in hammocks; saunters or rides over moors laden with perfumes of wildflowers; lawn tennis; croquet; golf; baseball; cycling; straw-rides in odd-shaped Nantucket box wagons or carts; "squantums." (Squantum is half picnic and half clambake.) Indoors, social gatherings; evening entertainments; games; music; dancing.

'Sconset is a kind of refinement, or elixir, of all that makes Nantucket beloved—a community of beauty, set against a backdrop of history, with a magic all its own. This exhibition is dedicated to presenting the history, the artwork, the architecture, the personalities, the institutions, and the inexpressible charm of this unique "patchwork village" by the sea.

Exhibition Credits:

The 'Sconset 02564 exhibition was conceived and developed by Ben Simons, Robyn and John Davis Chief Curator, working with a team of talented helpers and members of aWorking Committee of ’Sconset residents. The exhibtion was used as a vehicle to develop our collections and knowledge of 'Sconset history. Many Sconseters donated scans of family photographs, many of which can be seen here in the family album and on our online image database. Oral history interviews were conducted with many Sconset residents, available for viewing in the whaling museum. Research on 'Sconset history continues through our Siasconset Historical Research Program.

Design assistance was given by Eileen Powers/Javatime Design and Novation Media. Family album was created by Novation Media. Website developed by Georgen Charnes.

A digital exhibition by the Nantucket Historical Association