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Maria Mitchell Vestal Street Observatory Seminar Room Updates

Jascin N. Leonardo Finger • Jan 08, 2024

In 1987, the MMA added what was referred to as the Seminar Room Addition. It attaches to the Maria Mitchell Vestal Street Observatory (MMO) on the west side of the MMO and abuts what we have referred to as the Astronomer’s Cottage since we acquired the ca. 1830 structure in about 1922. Since 1987, the Seminar Room – so named as it provides lecture and work spaces for our astronomy interns and astronomy staff and others – has seen really no updates or changes. That is about thirty-six years – and it’s in need. We did add new work areas but it was minor changes. Now, with a gift from a descendant of Maria Mitchell’s younger brother, William Forester Mitchell, we are embarking on some updates to bring the Seminar Room into the 21st century – as we work to conserve the historic MMO.


On January 2, 2024, we began the demolition work (I hate the word demolition but this is a 1987 building so I feel a bit more comfortable.) We will be making some much needed office spaces, expanding the meeting and study space for the astronomy interns, making climate updates, improving the lighting and flooring, and making a small astronomy library space. Reminder that this is just to the 1987 space and only its interior – the historic observatory is having its own conservation focused work completed and we hope to begin to work on the interior of that portion next fall now that the exterior work was all completed this past spring. But what you are seeing in this image is the backside of the plaster and lath that makes the backside of the wall of the Astronomer’s Cottage – and the sill and other supporting timbers – pretty fun to see. It was first exposed when they added the Seminar Room addition in 1987 and removed the shingles and sheathing at that time – not something that was done this time and I wish they could have saved the sheathing boards and put the insulation between sheathing and the lathe!


Stay tuned!


JNLF

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Vestal Violet

By Jascin N. Leonardo Finger • 20 May, 2024
This little violet made an early entry. I caught it growing up out of where the street once pushed against the lawn before we had the sewer and water lines re-done on Vestal Street. I apologize for the blurriness. It was about 9:30 in the morning and its little face was enjoying the morning sun coming through the trees in the east. You can tell its morning by that light. Violets remind me of when I was young and we had “the woods” along the side of our house – a wooded area that was part of the lot of our house, and on a corner and going down a hill. My brother and I spent a lot of time in “the woods.” The neighborhood was designed and built in the early 1920s and it was full of wonderful Colonial revival-style houses. Our house had a tremendous drainage system for keeping water out of the basement. It could have been related to springs under the house but also to the fact that the house was built on the side of the hill so there was rainwater runoff on the lawn and street. The drainage kept the basement clear but better yet, for two children it made for great water fun in spring and summer – building little dikes and making stone walls that caused the water to cascade. But I also picked a lot of violets along the woods. They loved the dappled shade there. My Nana and I would work with me to pick them and then candy them each year. We would patiently coat them in egg white and sugar water and then use them to decorate cakes. I do not look at a violet without thinking of that. A sweet delicate flower and that color! Imagine them sparkling on top of a deliciously frosted cake! JNLF

The Nantucket Maria Mitchell Association Welcomes Charity Grace Mofsen as Artist-in-Residence

16 May, 2024
NANTUCKET, MA—The Nantucket Maria Mitchell Association (MMA) is thrilled to welcome photographer, Charity Grace Mofsen, as an Artist-in-Residence May 31 – August 5, 2024. Mofsen’s astrophotography will be on display at an opening reception on Friday, May 31 from 5:30pm – 7:30pm at 33 Washington Street. This event is free to the public. In addition to Mofsen’s opening reception on Friday, May 31, gallery open hours will be held from 5:30pm – 7:30pm on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday starting May 31 and ending August 4 at 33 Washington Street (subject to changes). Please check our website calendar for up-to-date hours at: https://www.mariamitchell.org/calendar Charity Grace Mofsen captures the island of Nantucket in all its glory – in light and at night. With a particular affinity for astrophotography, she believes there is always light, if you have eyes to see it. From fine art landscapes to intimate weddings, fun portrait sessions, and creative product photography, Mofsen finds joy sharing her love of Nantucket with the hope that others will also cherish the island’s natural beauty. Returning as an Artist-in-Residence for the Maria Mitchell Association, her work speaks to [wo]man’s connection to the cosmos. Describing her style as meditative, Mofsen highlights the beauty of the island’s contrasts – the solitude of the off-season and the joy of summer, the colors of the light and the wisdom of the night. This year’s show will expand to include new work from off-island locations blessed with dark skies.  “I’m really looking forward to working with the Maria Mitchell Association again and creating new work during this year’s Artist-in-Residency program. This year’s show, ‘A Love Starry,’ will feature my Milky Way portrait series – fine art astro portraiture – alongside my fine art landscapes of Nantucket Island, with a couple of new locations added this year. I’ll also be hosting some exciting events at 33 Washington Street to really experience each piece of work that is on display The Maria Mitchell Association is a private non-profit organization. Founded in 1902, the MMA works to preserve the legacy of Nantucket native astronomer, naturalist, librarian, and educator, Maria Mitchell. The Maria Mitchell Association operates two observatories, a natural science museum, an aquarium, a research center, and preserves the historic birthplace of Maria Mitchell. A wide variety of science and history-related programming is offered throughout the year for people of all ages. ###

Maria Mitchell In Her Own Words

By Jascin N. Leonardo Finger • 13 May, 2024
May 27. {1857} There is this great difference between Niagara and other wonders of the world, that is you get no idea from descriptions or even from paintings. Of the Mammoth Cave you have a conception from what you are told, of the Natural Bridge you get really a truthful impression from a picture. But Cave and Bridge are in still life, Niagara is all activity and change. No picture gives you the varying form of the water of the change of color; no description conveys to your mind the ceaseless roar. So too the ocean must be unrepresentable to those who have not looked upon it. Maria Mitchell would tour the Mammoth Cave and the Natural Bridge during her trip to the southern United States as Prudence Swift’s chaperone – I have written of these travels and Prudence before. Niagara Falls is a place she likely saw on her way to visit her younger sister Phebe Mitchell Kendall, who once lived with her husband in Pennsylvania. I was a bit surprised that she feels the way she does about the Cave and Bridge being well-represented by images but I do kind of se her point. But Niagara, the ocean, any moving body of water – she is right. You don’t fully comprehend it until you hear it, touch and taste it, see its colors, and feel it splash, sprinkle, or mist across your face. Niagara certainly mists across your face – sort of like a breezy day at the beach and the salt mist that slowly builds across your face and coats the beach grass so that it shimmers in the sunlight. JNLF
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