Nautical Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard, settled in Colonial times, are major players in the early chapters of American history. Today, these former whaling centers (Nantucket claimed the title of whaling capital of the world in the 1800s) are capitalizing on a new industry: cultural tourism. With its well-mannered sense of historic preservation, Nantucket, 30 miles off the Massachusetts mainland shores, attracts a seasonal population of 50,000 (about five times the winter populace) during July and August.

A fine place to start is the White Elephant, a complex of trim New England cottage buildings housing Nantucket’s most acclaimed hotel dating from the 1920s. A picture-postcard harbor view and fireplaces in the rooms set this enterprise apart, as does its location just blocks away from the bevy of Colonial houses and 19th-century Greek Revival mansions lining the streets.

Nearby the recently renovated Whaling Museum, which contains an 1847 candle factory, 46-foot sperm whale skeleton and prize marine antiques like scrimshaw and lightship baskets, is an excellent introduction to the now-defunct whaling industry. (Sign up for one of the Historical Association’s walking tours at the Whaling Museum.) But more surprises abound. There’s an entire museum dedicated to preserving the island’s history of basket making. Permanently installed in the Nantucket Lightship Basket Museum is the workshop of the acclaimed artisan José Formoso Reyes. And the Nantucket Life Saving Museum focuses on artifacts from the island’s lighthouses and lightships.

Antiques and art fair enthusiasts head to the 29th annual August Antiques Show hosted by the Nantucket Historical Association (August 4–6). This event is hardly provincial fare: top dealers like Nantucket’s own Wayne Pratt and G.K.S. Bush, along with miniature portrait specialist Elle Shushan and the Boston-based Vose Galleries, tout their wares. Sales are brisk, so arrive early.
Another popular spot for exploring fine collectibles is long-time auctioneer Rafael Osona’s Antique Auctions. On the block regularly are contents of island homes with marine paintings, 18th-century Americana and folk art.

Nantucket’s unspoiled beaches, dunes and grasslands are key attractions of a different nature. At 14 miles long by 3.5 miles wide, close to 46 percent of the island is protected conservation land. No trip is complete without taking in the beaches.

Regular ferries to Martha’s Vineyard make this destination a convenient stop away. The island is equally rich in history with Edgartown, named in 1671, a now bustling harbor. Its whaling heritage is reflected in the sea captains’ choice of stately white-columned homes, many topped with widow’s walks and some trimmed with fanlights over the front doors. For a glimpse into the island’s past, consider the Vincent House, built in 1672, which is the oldest unaltered house on the entire Vineyard. The small clapboard residence is filled with 17th-century furnishings.
A lively arts scene has replaced the seafaring tradition here as 35 art galleries pepper the landscape—close to 20 percent more than a mere five years ago. A total of 58 artists are in residence, many with local gallery affiliations. Pastels, paintings, photography specialists as well as craft artisans abound.

While there is no summer antiques show on this island, the Flea in the Meadow market held every Saturday and Wednesday is highly popular. Located on Middle Road in Chilmark, antiques like 19th-century porcelain can be spotted here.

Brook S. Mason is Art & Antiques’ Chief Correspondent.

NANTUCKET AND MARTHA'S VINEYARD CHECKLIST

---

(Area code 508 unless otherwise noted)

NANTUCKET

► 20 Federal Antiques
20 Federal St.
325-6080
European 19th-century, English, American, Native American art and memorabilia

► Adelson Galleries Inc. at Harbor House Village
99 S. Beach St
638-2840
19th-century American art.

►Antiques Depot
14 Easy St.
228-1287
17th-, 18th- and 19th-century formal and country furniture, art, porcelains, antiques and decoys.

►Art Cabinet Nantucket
2 Union St.
325-7202
Contemporary European art.

►Artists’ Association of Nantucket, Joyce & Seward Johnson Gallery
19 Washington St.
228-0294
Co-op gallery that represents more than 150 artists with works ranging from traditional to contemporary and paintings to sculpture.

►Barrington Antiques
0 Washington St.
228-8736
English Regency antiques and American Federal–style pieces, Chinese Export porcelain, marine woolworks.

►Cavalier Galleries
34 Main St.
325-4405
Paintings, sculpture, drawings and photography.

►Clay Art Studio/Gallery
50 North Liberty St.
228-2376
Pottery and ceramics

►Dane Gallery
28 Centre St.
228-7779
Glass sculpture, ceramics, basketry, furniture and wood.

►European Traditions
12 Straight Wharf
325-8976
Cottage and formal furniture and home accessories from the British isles.

►Four Winds Craft Guild
15 Main St.
228-9623
Nantucket lightship baskets.

►Hostetler Gallery
2 Old South Wharf
228-5152
Wood and bronze sculpture.

►Leonards Antiques
600 Taunton Ave, Seekonk.
336-8585
Antique beds and fine furniture.

►Lynda Willauer Antiques
2 India St.
228-3631
English and continental furniture, Chinese Export porcelain, Majolica, shell valentines, Aubusson and needlepoint pillows, paintings.

►Made on Nantucket
44 Main St.
228-0110
Work by 38 local artists and pre-owned Nantucket art, Bakelite and local jewelry.

►Manor House Antiques
31½ Centre St.
228-4335
Co-op with 10 dealers with items such as furniture, crystal, jewelry, scrimshaw.

►Mielko Gallery
4 Old South Wharf
228-0014
Romantic realist paintings.

►Nantucket House Antiques & Interior Design Studio Inc.
2 South Beach St.
228-4604.
Fine antiques and decorative accessories, 18th and 19th century furniture, brass and majolica.

►Nina Hellman Antiques Inc.
48 Centre St.
228-4677
Scrimshaw, nautical antiques, folk art.

►Pawlowski Gallery of Fine Art
50 Main St.
325-8520
Impressionist art.

►Pierce Galleries, Inc.
228-1789.

►Robert Wilson Galleries
228-2096
5 South Water St.
19th- and 20th-century American paintings.

►Rafael Osona Auctions
21 Washington St.
228-3942
Auctions held at American Legion Hall. 18th-, 19th- and 20th-century decorative arts.

►South Wharf Gallery
3 India St. and 21 Old South Wharf
228-0406
Oil paintings and contemporary sculpture.

►The English Trunk Show Company
8 Washington St.
228-4199
English antiques.

►The Gallery at Four India Street
4 India St.
228-8509
19th- and 20th-century American and French paintings.

►The J. Butler Collection
36 Centre St.
228-8429
Furniture and accents.

►Val Maitino Antiques
31 North Liberty St.
228-2747
Nautical antiques, American and English furniture.

►Wayne Pratt Antiques,
28 Main St.
228-8788
New England high-style furniture and antique Nantucket baskets.

►Wilson Galleries
51 Main St.
228-2096
Marine art.

MARTHA'S VINEYARD

►All Things Oriental
123 Beach Rd.
693-8375
Jewelry, porcelain, paintings and furniture.

►Christina Gallery Inc.
32 North Water St.
627-8794
Impressionist and expressionist art, sailors’ valentines.

►Etherington Fine Art
19 Main St.
693-9696
Contemporary art.

►Gardner-Colby Gallery
27 N. Water St.
627-6002
Living American painters and sculptors.

►Past & Presents
47 Main St.
627-3992
Staffordshire china, majolica, silver and English furniture reproductions.

►Sailor’s Valentine Collection
8 Howard Ct.
228-2011
Self-taught artists.

►Tisbury Antiques & Interiors
339 State Rd.
693-8333
English and European furniture, linens, porcelain, paintings, jewelry, books and rugs.

►Tuckernuck Antiques
79 Tuckernuck Ave.
696-6392
Island memorabilia.