NHA Launches Family-Friendly Time Traveler’s Experience for its Historic Sites

The Nantucket Historical Association is launching a new Time Traveler’s experience geared toward families, including a printed passport, coloring book, and journal. This beautifully designed three-piece set is intended to guide families to take an adventure to each of the Association’s Historic Sites, which will be open FREE to all visitors this summer.

At each Historic Site, participants get their Time Traveler’s passport stamped and fill in their journals and coloring books with the history they have learned. Once a Time Traveler has their entire passport stamped, they can redeem a prize at the Whaling Museum.

The Time Traveler’s experience was created by students in the Michael Graves College at Kean University through a multi-year project partnership. The NHA thanks the students Zandra Aguilo, Catherine Circonciso, Zoe Feuer, Melissa Ostrander, Patrycja Sliwowska, and Drew Spahn, as well as their practicum staff, Christopher Navetta, faculty mentor, and Dawnmarie McDermid, Creative Director for their time and creativity throughout the development process of this project.

“Engaging our students and their faculty mentors in the research, concept, and design for Nantucket Historical Association projects have been invaluable for their education beyond the studio classroom. For the students, seeing their ideas and creativity yield actual products is not just rewarding, it validates their studies and career choice. We are grateful to the NHA for providing this extraordinary internship experience,” says Rose Gonnella, Associate Dean, Michael Graves College, Kean University.

Time Traveler kits will be available at the Whaling Museum Shop at 13 Broad Street or through the Online Shop. The NHA is thrilled to be donating Time Traveler kits to the Nantucket Boys & Girls Club and Nantucket Elementary School. The printing and distribution of the Time Traveler’s experience are generously supported by Nancy and Douglas Abbey.

“After closing the Historic Sites in 2020 due to the pandemic and only having them open for a limited amount of time in 2021, we are very excited to have the sites back open every week for all to enjoy and to launch this new offering for families to enjoy,” says Miranda Dale, NHA Manager of Visitor Operations.

The hours of operation for each Historic Site are as follows:

Oldest House & Old Mill: Open Wed-Sat, 11 am–4 pm (through September 3)
Quaker Meeting House: Open Mon-Fri, 10 am–4 pm (through October 7)
Greater Light & Old Gaol: Open Wed-Sat, 11 am–4 pm (July 1–September 3)