NANTUCKET, MA—The Nantucket Historical Association (NHA) has begun a restoration project at its historic property, Greater Light. This project includes the restoration of the iconic iron gates and the pergola, as well as intricate work on many of the home’s windows and a doorway. The NHA is grateful to the Community Preservation Committee (CPC) for funding this project.
“The last holistic restoration of Greater Light was completed in 2011, when the house was reimagined following an almost twenty-year closure. However, maintenance of historic sites is constant, so as stewards of this historic home, the NHA prioritized necessary steps to repair many of the unique architectural elements that make this building such an island treasure. We thank the CPC for helping us complete this vital work, among many other important projects underway across our campus.” Said Niles Parker, NHA Gosnell Executive Director.
The former summer residence of Hanna and Gertrude Monaghan is an assemblage of found objects, collected from salvage yards and estate sales, mostly in and around Philadelphia. While this characteristic provides the property with its distinctive charm, it also poses maintenance challenges, as each unique door, window, and railing requires its own specialized treatment strategy.
The intricate ironwork panels, last restored in the fall of 2000, were beginning to exhibit signs of rust and required preservation. Following their recent deinstallation, they were transported to New Bedford, where they will be wet blasted, treated by a metal conservator, and powder-coated before returning to the island. The pergola has remained on site and undergone a series of extensive repairs in preparation for reinstallation.
Inside, work on the large panel of church windows in the Great Room, which have shown signs of deterioration for a number of years and are now in need of replacement. Local preservation carpenter Ben Moore removed the originals to replicate their delicate wood tracery with new material. Many elements, including their subtle curves and fine details, require precise hand chiseling. Once Moore has fabricated the new frames, he will transfer the original glass into them and reinstall them in their signature three-by-three grid pattern. In the building’s small sitting room, Moore is also working on the distinctive bow window and door that looks onto Howard Street.
Other notable work was done by island craftspeople, including Barber & Sons, and ACK Colors Painting, and Nantucket Energy.
With project completion slated for early 2026, the NHA looks forward to reopening Greater Light for the summer season, so visitors can enjoy the revitalized spaces and garden of this historic Nantucket summer home.
To learn more about the history of Greater Light, please visit here. For questions and to learn more, please contact [email protected].
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Images by Amanda Amaral.