FAMOUS FACES Read up on the local and national celebrities who ’ ve called Nantucket home .
Fred Rogers
The eponymous star of “ Mister Rogers ’ Neighborhood ” made his summer home on Nantucket at Smith ’ s Point . The real-life Rogers was as beloved as his television persona , and the island honors him to this day . An icon in St . Paul ’ s Church , where he attended services , hangs — patron saint-style — bearing the words “ Gentle , Kind + True .” Outside the Dreamland Theater , visitors can pose with a statue of Rogers wearing his signature red cardigan . stpaulschurchnantucket . org ; nantucketdreamland . org
Absalom Boston
This nineteenth century sailor ’ s fame went beyond his role as the first African American whaling ship
captain on the island . He also challenged the island ’ s segregated schools and was a respected member of the community . Learn more about the whaling industry — and spot the forty-six-foot sperm whale skeleton — at the Nantucket Historical Association ’ s Whaling Museum . nha . org / visit / museumsand-tours / whaling-museum
Elin Hilderbrand
The queen of the beach read is a longtime resident of Nantucket , where most of her sizzling summer page-turners are set . Find her novels at local booksellers Mitchell ’ s Book Corner and Nantucket Bookworks , or catch the author herself at the Nantucket Book Festival every June . Better yet , hit the beach — Cisco and Surfside are
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Absalom Boston .
local favorites — and find out why it ’ s the stuff of literary dreams . mitchellsbookcorner . com ; nantucketbookworks . com ; nantucketbookfestival . org
Maria Mitchell
Visitors will find this nineteenth century astronomer ’ s legacy all across the island , from the Hinchman House Natural Science
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Museum to the Loines Observatory . Tag along for a stargazing night with the Maria Mitchell Association and see firsthand how the famous female astronomer continues to inspire budding scientists today . mariamitchell . org / natural-sciencemuseum ; mariamitchell . org / loines-observatory |
Eric and Wendy Schmidt
Eric might be the former CEO of Google , but it ’ s his wife , Wendy , who left her mark on the island when she founded Remain Nantucket in 2008 . The nonprofit aims to strengthen the island ’ s year-round community and invests in buildings that support mission-related businesses . Case in point : Born & Bread , preparing naturally leavened sourdough for tourists and locals alike , and the Corner Table and Nantucket Culinary Center , offering cooking classes alongside a morning cup of Joe . bornandbreadnantucket . com ; cornertablenantucket . com — L . C .
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PHOTOGRAPHY : COURTESY OF BROTHERHOOD OF THIEVES ; COURTESY OF GREYDON HOUSE / PHOTOGRAPH BY DOUGLAS FRIEDMAN ; LAUREN CLEM ; VIA MARE / PHOTOGRAPH BY TIM WILLIAMS ; COURTESY OF CISCO BREWERS ; COURTESY OF THE NANTUCKET HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION . |