We are excited to announce the appointment of Judith N. Lund and Mary Lynne Rainey as Research Fellows. Their appointment is part of an effort to reinvigorate the NHA’s Research Fellows program, which recognizes scholars whose work increases understanding of Nantucket history.

Established in 1996, the NHA Research Fellows program honors individuals for their significant contributions and service to the Nantucket Historical Association in fields of research directly related to the historical collections and properties of the NHA, or through independent research that substantially augments the understanding of the history of Nantucket. The NHA currently has twenty-eight research fellows, including Nathaniel Philbrick, Frances Karttunen, Betsy Tyler, Barbara White, and many others who have made significant contributions to sharing the island’s history.

As part of the reinvigoration of this program, the NHA will be working with its Research Fellows to share their research findings more openly through public lectures and research articles, as well as working to identify new projects to increase the NHA’s storytelling across its offerings.

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Announcing our 2026 Featured Exhibition: The Wider World & Scrimshaw

On view from April 20 through November 1, 2026, the Nantucket Historical Association’s Whaling Museum will be the first venue to host the traveling exhibition The Wider World & Scrimshaw, organized by the New Bedford Whaling Museum with support provided by Art Bridges.

Surveying carving traditions that emerged along whaling routes in the Pacific world, the exhibition will showcase over 300 objects and set scrimshaw—the folk art made by whalers on the body parts of whales—in conversation with carved decorative arts and material culture made by Indigenous community members from across Oceania, the Pacific, and the Arctic.

The Wider World & Scrimshaw foregrounds the work of Native communities across Oceania, the Pacific, and Arctic, many of whom have cosmologies related to whales, distinctive maritime traditions involving marine mammals, and vibrant carving styles. It also explores how Native communities in the Pacific world were impacted by commercial whaling ventures in the 1800s and the external pressures of colonialism and Western empire-building. Engaging in questions about identity, place, and material, The Wider World & Scrimshaw will consider the impact of exploration and whaling on the production of material culture in the Pacific world between 1700 and today.

Learn more at https://nha.org/whats-on/exhibitions/upcoming-exhibits/the-wider-world-scrimshaw/

Exhibition Logo, featuring: Billy “Billiken” Komoneseok (Iñupiaq), Cribbage board, 1908-1912. Engraved walrus ivory, 3 x 2 x 27 3/8 in. New Bedford Whaling Museum, 2001.100.2255.
Aboriginal maker once known (Aboriginal Australian, possibly Eden), Dreamtime tooth (front), 1800s. Engraved sperm whale ivory, 2 5/8 x 5 ¼ in. New Bedford Whaling Museum, 00.195.47.
Arctic maker once known (Inuit Nunaat), model qajaq on sledge with driver, ca. 1900. Walrus ivory, seal gut, sinew, and thread, 1 1/4 x 3/4 x 7 3/8 in. New Bedford Whaling Museum, 2001.100.1865.

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After & before - after & before 🧱 🚧 Updates to the north wall candle factory!

The @icr_icc team returned this fall to complete the repointing of the north wall of the candle factory. Their team spent seven weeks restoring the masonry 🔨🔧🪛

Built in 1874, the wall required attention to ensure a stable climate for the collections housed within and to safe guard the structure itself 🖼️🧱. We’re so excited to see the finished product of this restoration project!

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