ACCOMMODATIONS
T
Accommodations
he wealth of whaling merchants ’ India Street ) to the beautifully appointed homes resurrected as bedand-breakfast inns on Nantucket is extraordinary and reflective of longstanding efforts to meticulously preserve the island ’ s rich architectural heritage . Lodging in an 18th-century house abundant in living history truly contributes to the “ authentic ” experience of visitors to our storied island . As they wheel their luggage along the cobblestone streets – maps in hand – they ultimately arrive at their trés-charming accommodation , appearing not unlike a dwelling from an illustrated Victorian picture book . And thus they begin a true immersion in the Nantucket experience : a former whaling captain ’ s residence to call home while exploring diverse historic sites , strolling along wharves and littleknown byways , all the while gleaning little-known facts about this remote outpost at sea .
In 1910 , a young Ernest Hemingway and his mother Grace arrived on island and ventured to 45 Pearl Street ( now 17
guesthouse of Miss Annie Ayers , a place of congenial hospitality and low 6-foot ceilings . Ernest proceeded to catch a Spanish mackerel ( a foreshadowing of his expertise as an angler ) which Miss Ayers cooked and served to her guests at dinner ; he also delighted in beachcombing for “ specimens .” The house still stands , now home to the Hospital Thrift Shop .
North Water Street was once dubbed “ Guest House Row ,” with the Brass Lantern , Carlisle House , Periwinkle Inn , Scallop Inn and others continuing the age-old tradition of providing tourist accommodations . At the head of Broad Street , the venerable Jared Coffin House hotel – built by a successful whaling merchant in 1845 – continues to stand sentinel with its stately brick exterior . Other historic bed-and-breakfasts in the Downtown include 76 Main Street Inn , Anchor Inn , Centerboard Inn , Cliff Lodge , Hawthorn House , Roberts House , Sherburne Inn and Union Street Inn , all built in the 17th and 18th centuries .
32 • 2017 Official Guide to Nantucket Inset photo © Michael Galvin