“For my mind was made up to sail in no other than a Nantucket craft, because there was a fine boisterous something about everything connected with that famous old island, which amazingly pleased me.” 

(Moby-Dick, ch. 2) 

Nantucket Island, 30 miles out to sea from the coast of Massachusetts' Cape Cod, has an incredibly rich and special history. The name Nantucket translates from the native Wampanoag language, meaning “faraway island,”though also commonly referred to as “The Grey Lady,” due to its frequent rolling fog. 

The little island was first sighted in the early 1600s and was settled about 50 years later. In the late 1700s, sperm whales were spotted off Nantucket’s shore, and for almost 100 years Nantucket thrived as one of the major whaling ports in the New World. Nantucket also has a special legacy of tolerance. During the late 17th and 18th centuries there was a strong Quaker presence on the island; this presence brought influence of religious tolerance and progressive ideals that held a pivotal role in the abolitionist movement. Throughout history, the island became a mecca for women's rights and social reform. As the whaling industry declined in the late 1800s, Nantucket slowly became a destination for artists and tourists, drawing people in with its beauty and charm.

By the 20th century the tourism on the island led to a push in historic preservation. Today, visitors can enjoy historic cobblestone streets, original architecture, 50% conservation land, 82 miles of gorgeous preserved beaches, and even take a walk through Nantucket's history in the various museums on the island. 

From the original Wampanoag people to the English settlers, Quaker movements, whaling captains, and more, their presence is still felt here on Nantucket. Nantucket’s existence today is a reflection of its living history of resilience and change, where both nature and society blend to coexist on a little piece of land, 14 miles long, 3 1/2 miles wide, 30 miles out to sea.