Nantucket Maria Mitchell Association Announces Strategic Property Acquisition and Appointment of Workshop/APD

The Maria Mitchell Association (MMA) has announced two major milestones in its ongoing Capital Campaign: the acquisition of three properties adjacent to its historic Washington Street campus and the appointment of Workshop/APD as the architectural firm leading the design of its future facilities.

After more than two years of planning, the Association acquired the Noyes family property—27 and 25R Washington Street and 10 Coffin Street—for $2.5 million. The purchase secures critical land and housing needed to support the MMA’s long-term campus expansion, expand its waterfront presence, and strengthen its ability to serve the Nantucket community.

“This is a game-changing moment for the Maria Mitchell Association and for Nantucket,” said Joanna Roche, Executive Director of the Maria Mitchell Association. “The acquisition allows us to thoughtfully expand our campus while deepening our ability to serve the community through science, history, and education.”

The acquisition also carries historic significance. The Noyes family has longstanding ties to the Association, dating back to the 1980s when Robert Noyes served as President of the Board, making the purchase a meaningful full-circle moment.

As part of a broader capital campaign supporting the MMA’s future aquarium and discovery center, the acquisition enables the organization to finalize campus plans and begin the permitting process. The properties will also help provide employee housing—an increasingly important resource for Nantucket nonprofits.

In addition, the MMA has selected Workshop/APD as the project’s architects. Led by Andrew Kotchen and Michael Luft-Weissberg, the firm brings more than 25 years of experience on Nantucket and is known for its thoughtful, context-sensitive design.

“I am truly excited to create this lasting legacy to Maria Mitchell and to this community,” said Kotchen. “This project offers a unique opportunity to celebrate the science, nature, and history of this island.”

With the acquisition complete and the design team in place, the Maria Mitchell Association will move into the next project phase. Engineering will be led by Nantucket Surveyors, with construction oversight by MMA Board Vice President John Wise. Updated surveys, final campus plans, and permitting are expected to begin in the coming months.

Founded in 1902, the Maria Mitchell Association is dedicated to the legacy of astronomer Maria Mitchell  through education, research, and preservation in astronomy, natural sciences, and history.

For more Nantucket stories visit our blog at Fisher Real Eastate.