Greater Light, Massachusetts, United States
4.5 (40 reviews) Temporarily closed - Closed until May 27, 2023 Spent Ranking #22 in Nantucket Historic Sites
Quirky and Quaint
Greater Light, located at 8 Howard Street, was the summer home and studio of Gertrude and Hanna Monaghan, two independent, highly educated, unmarried Quaker sisters from Philadelphia. Gertrude (1887–1962), a professional artist, and Hanna (1889–1972), an actress and author, first came to the island in 1923, renting a small studio near the harbor. Originally built around 1790 as a livestock barn, the sisters discovered Greater Light in 1929 when they followed a herd of cattle up Main Street. Enthralled, they purchased the dilapidated building and set about transforming it into their own summer oasis, adorning it with cast-off architectural elements, decorative objects, and eclectic furniture. Their personal aesthetic blended art and whimsy with an appreciation of unique handcrafted works—woven, carved, forged, or painted—that coalesced in an environment that is a monument to their spirit.
Address
8 Howard St, Nantucket, MA 02554-2185
Mobile
Website
http://www.nha.org
Working hours
Opening Hours: We-Sa 11:00-16:00
Current local date and time now
Monday, May 13, 2024, 17:37
User Ratings
4.5 based on (40 reviews)
Reviews
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5CinAndy 5:00 PM Jun 16, 2016
Love the Garden
I love this house. Every time I visit I learn something new. This house was a farm that was bought by two eccentric sisters. It has interesting pieces and stories. The back yard is beautiful and open to the public.
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5djedushka 5:00 PM Aug 31, 2015
Next to visiting the Whaling Museum this was the next great place to see.
A great place to visit if you like the unusual. Two sisters created an artistic retreat in their own eccentric style. Our tour guide, Nora, was terrific. We stayed quite a while talking about the house and its eclectic décor. I highly recommend that if you have the chance do visit this place.
