• Location: 15R Vestal St, Nantucket, MA 02554, US
• Website: nha.org/visit/historic-sites/old-jail

The Old Gaol is a historic lock-up building at 15R Vestal Street, Nantucket. Having served as Nantucket’s first jail, it highlights a lesser desirable part of Nantucket’s history.

The jailhouse was constructed in 1696 at Vestral Street, which at the time, was open land. In 1805, Nantucket residents resolved to have a new, sturdier jail structure built next to the Old Gaol, as most prisons on the island had become old and worn out. A decade earlier, men who had robbed the Nantucket bank escaped from a high street jail. To prevent such incidences, there was a need to build new and better prisons.

John and Perez Jenkins got the contract to build the new jailhouse. They mainly used oak logs reinforced with iron to construct a two-story jail house featuring two cells on each floor with barred windows and heavy wooden doors. The new building was nicknamed the New Gaol. It was sturdy and efficiently served its purpose for years. Most criminals held within its walls were in prison for petty crimes such as thievery and unpaid debt. The Nantucket County Court records contain the information of all prisoners held at the jailhouse since 1806.

In 1855, the House of Correction, located at Quaise Asylum in Polpis, was moved right next to the New Gaol. It was used for holding the mentally ill, juvenile prisoners, habitual drunkards, and debtors. Additionally, it served as a workhouse for debtors willing to ply their trades to settle their bills.

The 1860s marked the end of whaling, the island’s main economic activity. This led many people to leave the island for an income elsewhere. By the 1870s, Nantucket’s population was about a third of what it used to be. Consequently, the crime rate dwindled to the extent that jail cells remained empty from 1870 to 1876.

In 1883, the Legislative Prison Committee recommended demolishing the jailhouse and the House of Correction as they were mostly unused. However, a majority of Nantucket residents preferred that they remain. At the time, tourism in Nantucket had snowballed into one of the island’s economic pillars. Thus, there was a need to preserve everything historic. Enough residents signed a petition to keep the jailhouse and House of Correction without altering their original build.

The town continued using them until 1895, when a second proposal recommended their demolition. The proposal stated that the buildings were old and worn out, making them unsuitable for their intended purpose and a risk to prisoners.  Like its predecessor, the proposal was voted against by islanders. The town of Nantucket also ignored it and occasionally used the jailhouse to hold prisoners for a night or two. Moreover, they used parts of the buildings to store confiscated liquor and homemade stills. This continued until 1933, when a prisoner attacked the jail’s keeper and escaped.

The buildings were left abandoned for more than ten years. In 1946, the Nantucket Historic Association gained custody and began conducting extensive repairs and restoration. The Old Gaol was opened to the public in 1949, enabling visitors to learn about the island’s Law and Justice history. Unfortunately, a fire accident razed the House of Correction in 1954.

To this day, the Old Gaol is open for visitors and is in good condition. Guided tours at the former jailhouse provide detailed information about it and Nantucket’s past life.

• Location: 59 Milk St Ext, Nantucket, MA 02554, US
• Contact: 508-257-1117
• Social Media: Facebook
• Website: mariamitchell.org/loines-observatory

Loines Observatory is the perfect hangout spot for anyone who loves observing the stars, comets, other planets, the nebulae, and the like. It is one of the two observatories under the Maria Mitchel Association. The other (the main one) is the Maria Mitchell Observatory. Both units were created to honor Maria Mitchell, the first American Woman Astronomer.

The Loines Observatory features high-quality telescopes that point to anything interesting on any particular night. These include a historic 8-inch Allan Clark refractor and a modern 24-inch research telescope. They provide a well-enhanced view of star clusters, the moon, planets, nebulae, and other galaxies.

You may not always know what you are looking at – to answer your questions, knowledgeable scientists are always on standby. Guided tours also ensure you learn and see as much as possible.

Visiting the Loines Observatory

Located about a Kilometer west of town, the Loines Observatory is conveniently accessible. You may get to it using a bike, private car, taxi, or bus. If you are up for it, you may also walk from town. Remember to carry a flashlight to find your way easily.

The Observatory is open to the public throughout the Summer on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.

Nantucket gets quite busy during the summer; thus, the Observatory often receives many visitors. To manage their visitors’ list, the Observatory requires that visitors register before their visit.

The registration process is open for everyone, but children can only sign up with an adult guardian. If you cannot register on time, walk-ins are allowed, but it is not a guarantee you will get a spot.

The Observatory’s management requires that you arrive at least 10 minutes before the star-gazing program starts to ensure you don’t miss out on anything. Ensure to wear weather-appropriate clothing as the viewing event occurs outside at night. You may also carry a bug spray to keep off mosquitoes and bugs.

In inclement weather, such as thunderstorms or heavy rains, the Observatory often cancels the event. On such days, check their website for updates to avoid disappointment.

Loines Observatory Community Programs & Events

For decades the Observatory has provided plentiful public education and research programs, including internships in astronomy and physics for undergraduate students. In 2009, the Mitchell Association received a presidential Award from President Barrack Obama for their outstanding mentorship in Science, Mathematics, and Engineering.

Sign up for the Observatory’s programs to benefit from its mentorship. You get to learn more about astronomy, history, and the environment. Depending on your area of interest, you may enroll in the private beach biology field trip to learn about Nantucket’s ecology, geology, and uniqueness, Artists-In- Residence program to showcase your creations, and Nantucket Bird Walk to learn about the various types of birds on the Island, among other programs.

Programs such as Discovery Classes, Nature Story Hour, Bug Bonanza, Beach Biology Field Trip, and Outdoor Camps are ideal for your young ones.

Every year the Observatory holds several events at different locations on the Island. These include the Annual Nantucket Green Crab Week, Women of Science Symposium, MMA Shark Week, Nantucket Science Festival, Bird – A – Thon, Maria Mitchell’s Birthday, the Stargazer Gala, and Science Speaker Series. These events aim to educate the public about science, the environment, and Nantucket’s history. They also provide an excellent opportunity to socialize and make new friends.

Visit Maria Mitchell Association’s website to learn more about Loines Observatory’s events and programs and how to enroll.

• Location: Straight Wharf, Slip #1015, Nantucket, US
• Contact: 508-228-5585
• Social Media: Facebook, Instagram
• Website: endeavorsailing.com

Exploring Nantucket’s waters using a sailing excursion presents several benefits. It is convenient, provides safe ways to explore the island, ensures a quality experience, and enables you to socialize and enjoy curated experiences by experts, to name a few.

If you are looking for a charter that provides reliable services and fun-filled excursions on the island,  Endeavor Sailing is among the top recommendations. It is the longest-operating sailing charter in Nantucket that helps you enjoy the best of the island’s waters and mark your special day in style.

Captain Jim is in charge of it. He ensures your safety at sea and provides invaluable insights about Nantucket Sound. He and his team are deeply knowledgeable about the Nantucket Sound and passionate about creating beautiful memories for their passengers.

According to Jim, being Captain is a dream come true. He grew up in Fairhaven, Massachusetts, across the bridge from the Old Whaling Port of New Bedford. His contact with the sea sparked a curiosity about the sea and a desire to own a boat someday and earn a living at sea. He would often visit the New Bedford Whaling Museum to research the maritime history and culture of areas around Massacheutees. Years later, he built Endeavor and is living out his dream, whereby his acquired knowledge comes in handy.

He has over four decades of experience sailing the Nantucket waters and is licensed by the United States Coast Guard. He runs Endeavor alongside his wife, Sue Genther, and several crew members.

The charter is conveniently located on the dock at Straight Wharf and operates from May through October. To acquire their services, making a reservation in advance is advisable. You may book any of their three deals: daytime Sail, Sunset Sail, and Private Charter.

The Day time sail is ideal if you want to enjoy a sail in the morning or afternoon. It lasts 90 minutes and costs $110 per person. The Sunset Sail is perfect to wind up your day on a high note. It lasts 90 minutes and costs $175 per person. You may carry along beverages and snacks to have during your excursion.

The private charter will suffice for groups and families or special occasions such as birthdays, proposals, elopements, anniversaries, et cetera. It accommodates up to 14 passengers and is the only excursion that allows you to bring your pup aboard. It can take anywhere between 1.5 – 3 hours, whereby the amount charged usually depends on the year’s season and the tour’s length.

Besides excursions, Endeavor Sailing offers merchandise, including T-shirts, sweatshirts, hats, and mugs. Visit their website to purchase the goods or make a tour reservation.

Measuring 267 acres and 43 feet deep, the Sesachacha Pond is considered Nantucket’s largest kettle pond. It is home to fish such as striped bass, blueback herring, white perch tomcod, American eel, small bluefish, and flounder. Birds such as Ospreys, egrets, and different types of herons hunt for fish and explore the pond for food. Additionally, there are various species of sea ducks like golden eyes, buffleheads, scoters, long-tailed ducks, eiders, and mergansers.

Nantucket’s Natural Resources Department maintains the Sesachacha pond as part of an estuarine system plan that focuses on stabilizing the island’s significant ponds. The pond is breached naturally and receives ocean overwash. The breaching is mechanically opened twice yearly, in the spring and fall. This facilitates an exchange of the pond’s brackish water with high-quality offshore waters. It also allows the passage of marine species to and from the pond.  Set opening times depend on weather conditions and tide conditions.

A recent estuaries report shows that more is needed. The report suggests opening the pond thrice a year for effective cleansing.  Otherwise, the pond will experience high nitrogen and low saline levels, putting its flora and fauna at risk.

Looking at the pond’s history, a periodic tidal exchange has been the norm for quite a long time. It was common in the 1980s, whereby studies prove it helped stabilize the pond’s ecology. Heeding the results, the Island’s Natural Resources department devised Sesachacha’s pond estuarine system plan.

Visiting Sesachacha Pond

It is located along Polpis Road and Sesachacha Road. You can access it via foot, bike, car, or bus. The pond is an excellent hangout spot for families. You may visit the pond to enjoy its flora, fauna, and majestic views.

If you visit soon after breaching, you may also see two giant rock piers, one on Nantucket’s north shore and the other on the south shore. These were placed centuries ago by Native Americans who used them as platforms for spearing fish in the deeper parts of the pond.

Most parts of Sesachacha’s pond border the Sesachacha’s Heathlands Wildlife Sanctuary and sparsely populated areas with houses mostly occupied during summer. To the west, a smaller pond merges with Sesachacha during the rainy seasons.

Sesachacha Pond overlooks the Atlantic Ocean and picturesque dunes on its eastern side. Additionally, it is close to the Quidnet beach, whereby a narrow spilt of endless sandy barrier separates the two.

Quidnet Beach is known for its calm and warm waters, perfect for children. The beach is also free from seaweed and relatively protected from winds by the surrounding dunes. It features fine soft sand, which feels great to walk on. Depending on the time of the year, you may see some seals peek above the water or sunbathing on the sand.

Popular activities on the beach include shelling, fishing, windsurfing, kayaking, and small-boat sailing. However, you must bring along your equipment. There are also no lifeguards, facilities, and food service on site.

Located about 7 Miles away from Nantucket town, Low Beach is a hidden gem free from crowds and with plenty to offer. You may enjoy a walk on the beach, collect plenty of beautiful shells, go fishing or relax on its shores, taking in its sweeping views.

Swimming and surfing are also common activities. However, the beach’s strong currents and waves make them unsuitable for amateurs. If you are looking for a challenging surf or swim, Low Beach’s waters will suffice. But it would be best to exercise caution as no lifeguards are on site. Also, be on the lookout for mosquitoes and green flies, especially on calm days.

The water’s quality is always in top-notch condition thanks to regular tests conducted by the Town of Nantucket Department of Health and Human Services. The beach is usually closed off to the public whenever there are any irregularities until it’s safe to swim.

You may bring along your dog, but you must always keep it on a leash and clean up after it. There are no trash cans on the beach; thus, you must carry your trash with you.

Due to its quiet nature, the beach attracts wildlife, including birds, crabs, deer, and gray seals. Every once in a while, you may see dolphins and whales far off the shore. If you encounter any marine mammal, the Town of Nantucket requires that you stay at least 150m away from it.

If you visit Low Beach between October and March, you may participate in recreational scalloping. It is quite a popular event on the island, as Nantucket Bay Scallops are known to be exquisitely delicious. To participate, you must adhere to shellfishing policy and regulations and obtain a Shell fishing permit from the Town of Nantucket. The permit costs $35 for residents and $125 for visitors.

No eateries are on site; thus, you should carry your food and beverages. Grilling is allowed on the beach with either a charcoal or propane grill. You may also light small enclosed fires away from vegetation and flammable materials.

Alternatively, you can get something to eat or drink at the Sconset Village. It boasts plenty of eateries that serve tasty dishes.

How to Get to Low Beach

It is located between Sconset Village and Tom Nevers Pond. To access it, take the Milestone Rotary Road until you find the Siasconset Rotary. You should then turn to your right onto Gully Road. Keep an eye out for Ocean Ave Road on your right. A straight drive on Ocean Ave will lead you to a small dirt road that leads to the beach’s parking lot.

You may leave your car at the parking lot or drive to the beach. Low Beach allows beach driving by 4-Wheel Drive Vehicles with a permit. Your tire pressure should range between 12 and 15 PSI to avoid sinking. Just in case, you should always carry a shovel, tow rope, and a jack with jack boards.

The recommended speed limit is 20 mph and 5 mph whenever you are within 100 yards of a pedestrian. While driving, you must keep off the water and obey signage on the beach.