About Nantucket
National Geographic named Nantucket "the Best Island in the World!" http://www.boston.com/travel/blog/2012/05/national_geogra.html
Nantucket Island, “The Faraway Land,” as translated from the language of the native Wampanoag tribe is located 30 miles off the south coast of Cape Cod. The island is 14 miles in length and 3 1/2 miles wide. It is a beautiful oasis of over 40 % conservation land with plentiful beaches accessible to the public for all to respect and enjoy.
Nantucket is rich in history. In 1602, an Englishman named Bartholomew Gosnold first sighted the Island and then it was settled in 1659. In the late 1600s whales were found off shore and between 1750 and 1840, the Island was one of the major whaling ports in North America.
With the decline of the whaling industry in the 1880s, Nantucket became a Mecca for the tourism industry and is still drawing people to its natural and everlasting beauty along with its first-rate attractions, accommodations and restaurants. Nantucket, the only location in North America to have the same name for the island, town and county has a year round population of over 10,000 and then swells to 50,000-60,000 during July and August. The Fourth of July holiday with its celebration of town sponsored family events feted up and down the beautifully cobblestoned Main Street, culminates with a spectacular Fireworks Show on Jetties Beach in the evening. In the off-season, the Island although quieter, is still well-known for its excellent restaurants, charming lodging establishments and historical locations available to the public.
Nantucket is easily reachable year round by ferry boat or plane service. During the busy summer season, the Town encourages visitors to limit bringing their cars over by providing a seasonal shuttle system giving the community an essential transportation option around the Island. There are miles of town maintained bike paths, town owned beaches and beautiful harbors for moorings all enhancing the experience on the Island. From the beautiful sunsets of Madaket to the charming small village of Siasconset, the public can view the beautiful landscapes, historic homes or wide spread beaches until reaching their special and personal Nantucket destination.
National Geographic named Nantucket "the Best Island in the World!" http://www.boston.com/travel/blog/2012/05/national_geogra.html
Nantucket Island, “The Faraway Land,” as translated from the language of the native Wampanoag tribe is located 30 miles off the south coast of Cape Cod. The island is 14 miles in length and 3 1/2 miles wide. It is a beautiful oasis of over 40 % conservation land with plentiful beaches accessible to the public for all to respect and enjoy.
Nantucket is rich in history. In 1602, an Englishman named Bartholomew Gosnold first sighted the Island and then it was settled in 1659. In the late 1600s whales were found off shore and between 1750 and 1840, the Island was one of the major whaling ports in North America.
With the decline of the whaling industry in the 1880s, Nantucket became a Mecca for the tourism industry and is still drawing people to its natural and everlasting beauty along with its first-rate attractions, accommodations and restaurants. Nantucket, the only location in North America to have the same name for the island, town and county has a year round population of over 10,000 and then swells to 50,000-60,000 during July and August. The Fourth of July holiday with its celebration of town sponsored family events feted up and down the beautifully cobblestoned Main Street, culminates with a spectacular Fireworks Show on Jetties Beach in the evening. In the off-season, the Island although quieter, is still well-known for its excellent restaurants, charming lodging establishments and historical locations available to the public.
Nantucket is easily reachable year round by ferry boat or plane service. During the busy summer season, the Town encourages visitors to limit bringing their cars over by providing a seasonal shuttle system giving the community an essential transportation option around the Island. There are miles of town maintained bike paths, town owned beaches and beautiful harbors for moorings all enhancing the experience on the Island. From the beautiful sunsets of Madaket to the charming small village of Siasconset, the public can view the beautiful landscapes, historic homes or wide spread beaches until reaching their special and personal Nantucket destination.
Nantucket Stories -- A Magical Place!
Several generations have now lived at TOAD HALL in Polpis. Back in the early 1950's, Papa Charles and Mema Beth Sutherland purchased the property as a summer vacation home. The main cottage which they promptly named "Toad Hall" was one of the first "pre-fab" buildings in the U.S., manufactured in the 1930's. Over the years, various stuffed toads began to accumulate, hanging from the ceiling beams and ornamenting shelves.
Why Toad Hall? No family member now knows for sure but the name comes from the children's story, The Wind in the Willows, by Kenneth Grahame. In this 1908 story, Mole, Ratty, Badger, and Mr. Toad all get into a lot of trouble -- esp Toad. By the end of the story, Toad having been in prison, his home is invaded by weasels and other critters. The Four enter by a secret entrance and chase the other creatures away -- and live there happily ever after.
A True Story -- One day four little girls went out riding bicycles. They found a dirt road leading deep into the Nantucket moors. Just before it rejoined a main road, the girls found a freshwater pond. On an island completely surrounded by salt water, a freshwater swim was a treat. The girls jumped in and giggling, decided to name the pond after themselves -- AFAJENTE -- A for Amy, FA for Fay, JEN for Jenny, and TE for Teviot. This became a favorite destination for their daily bike rides.
One day, the girls were swimming when they heard a car drive in. The pond had a sharp lip so they peeked up over the edge to see a police car. Quickly, they ducked under the water. But none of them could hold their breath for too long so they poked heads above the waterline. And heard the sound of another car which drove up next to the police car. Down they dove again, to giggle and point at each other underwater. Once more, they all rose to the surface. This time, when they swam over to the lip of the pond and poked their heads up, they saw that the second car was empty and there were now two figures seated in the back seat of the police car -- the policeman and a lady. What were they doing? The girls decided not to wait and see. Turning their backs to the cars, they climbed out of the water on the other side and pretended not to notice the goings on. The girls climbed on to their bikes and drove away. Giggles were heard throughout the moors that day;
Why Toad Hall? No family member now knows for sure but the name comes from the children's story, The Wind in the Willows, by Kenneth Grahame. In this 1908 story, Mole, Ratty, Badger, and Mr. Toad all get into a lot of trouble -- esp Toad. By the end of the story, Toad having been in prison, his home is invaded by weasels and other critters. The Four enter by a secret entrance and chase the other creatures away -- and live there happily ever after.
A True Story -- One day four little girls went out riding bicycles. They found a dirt road leading deep into the Nantucket moors. Just before it rejoined a main road, the girls found a freshwater pond. On an island completely surrounded by salt water, a freshwater swim was a treat. The girls jumped in and giggling, decided to name the pond after themselves -- AFAJENTE -- A for Amy, FA for Fay, JEN for Jenny, and TE for Teviot. This became a favorite destination for their daily bike rides.
One day, the girls were swimming when they heard a car drive in. The pond had a sharp lip so they peeked up over the edge to see a police car. Quickly, they ducked under the water. But none of them could hold their breath for too long so they poked heads above the waterline. And heard the sound of another car which drove up next to the police car. Down they dove again, to giggle and point at each other underwater. Once more, they all rose to the surface. This time, when they swam over to the lip of the pond and poked their heads up, they saw that the second car was empty and there were now two figures seated in the back seat of the police car -- the policeman and a lady. What were they doing? The girls decided not to wait and see. Turning their backs to the cars, they climbed out of the water on the other side and pretended not to notice the goings on. The girls climbed on to their bikes and drove away. Giggles were heard throughout the moors that day;