Signs of the Times: Nantucket Signs Exhibition of the Nantucket Historical Association

Madaket Road (shop at 28 Centre Street, cart on corner of Main and Centre Streets)
Hermanus and Madaline Voorneveld
1903 to 1960s

Hermanus and Madaline Voorneveld began selling flowers after moving to Nantucket with a large family in 1903 (they hailed from several generations of horticulturalists in the Netherlands). After his parents died, son William “Dutchy” carried on the business of Voorneveld the Florist for many years until he took his own life (with a revolver). Several generations of Voornevelds flourished, operating Voorneveld Gardens on Madaket Road and a shop downtown on the corner of Centre and India Streets (current location of the Dane Gallery). Many also recall Voorneveld’s unattended flower cart on the corner of Main and Centre Streets, which operated on the honor system, customers putting the money in a cigar box. Some also remember Mrs. Voorneveld going to the movies every time the feature changed.

Robert McGrath recalls a large boat appearing at the dock with its deck completely filled with flowers for Voorneveld. Someone asked, “Who died?”and got the answer, “Nobody, it’s Mother’s Day.”