The Lobster Roll at Straight Wharf Fish Store on Nantucket makes "America's Best Sandwiches" List

The Lobster Roll at the Straight Wharf Fish Store is indeed the best in the nation according to Playboy's 'America's Best Sandwiches' List released today. For $17.95 you get the real deal. Innkeeper Gerry has been sending guests there for many years for the lobster roll. If that's not your thing a must is the crab cakes or the swordfish sandwich. Absolutely amazing and a must when on Nantucket!

See you on Nantucket for more fun and delicious finds!
Otilia

Ten things to do on Nantucket when it's raining

It's that time of the year on Nantucket. Rain. Not really of course. But you don't have to let the rain get you down. It comes and goes when you least expect it. Sometimes the weather channel gets it right, sometimes it doesn't. You never know, thirty miles out to sea. This is your time to explore the inside Nantucket, the behind the doors. You will discover the uniqueness of this island, such as Maria Mitchell-first American woman astronomer's birthplace. Nantucket's history is fascinating. And it will add memories to your trip.

So here are ten things you should do on Nantucket while it's raining.

1. Get married. For luck reasons of course, because rain brings luck so I've heard. We found a great picture of our guests who eloped and got married here. In the rain. Thank you Terry Pommett. See photo below. Umbrella it's on us. Cookies and champagne also complimentary.
2. Marriage not in the cards? Romance your way through it. Your creative side should be kicking in by now. :)
3. Visit the Whaling Museum. It has a sperm whaling skeleton, an 1847 candle factory restored, with its original whale-oil beam press, the only such artifact in the world still in its original location, exhibits, rooftop to view the Nantucket harbor and plenty of history. The museum was restored in 2005 and it is one of the few in the US to receive the accreditation of American Association of Museums.
4. Have a cup of Joe at the local coffee shop down the street, The Bean. They also have some of the best teas. While you're there head down to the wharf at the Fish Market for a great sandwich of freshly caught swordfish. They have some great crab cakes (fresh crab meat). Yum! For dessert have a smoothie at the Juice Guys.
5. Spend some time at the Atheneum, Nantucket's amazing library. It's been there as long as the Century House has been, 175 years. Here you will find a large selection of gossip magazine, daily newspapers, and books, books, books. Find a little corner and read away. Internet is also free.
6. Take the historic tour of Nantucket. You can use the public transportation. It is also walkable and close by. Explore and learn. Quaker Meeting House, Whitney Gallery, NHA Research Library, Aquarium, Historic Coffin School: Egan Maritime Institute, The Hadwen House, Fire Hose-Cart House, Greater Light, Maria Mitchell Birthplace, Vestal Street Observatory, Natural Science Museum, The Old Gaol (Jail), The Oldest House and circa 1700 kitchen garden, Maria Mitchell Observatory, The Old Mill, African Meeting House, Nantucket Lightship Basket Museum, Shipwreck and Life Saving Museum.
7. Shop indoors! Leave the window shopping for later. Shop for classy unusual designs, unique local jewelry, the famous Nantucket Reds, the Nantucket basket, antiques and many other fun trinkets to remind you of Nantucket.
8. Hop from gallery to gallery. Discover the unique talents of local artists who capture the beauty and uniqueness of this charming island. You will be amazed!
9. See a movie or catch a play. There are two theatres on Nantucket, Starlight and Nantucket Casino (for old movies). (An open theatre, the Dreamland Theatre will have open air movies starting in July, shown on rain-less days). Or search or movie collection of over 150 films and snuggle. You can also view the Wings TV Show, and discover that Century House was one of the show's locations.
10. This is your chance to explore the island. Take it all in!

Otilia

Nantucket Film Festival- behind the scenes

One of the fun things on Nantucket every year is the Film Festival. This year the Nantucket Film Festival takes place June 18 - June 21 with opening show at Sconset Casino, June 18, 7 pm. Celebrities, actors and actresses, comedians, film producers, and the volunteers all make this spectacular event happen. The Nantucketeers are always there to help. Without the dedicated volunteers many events would not take place. Our very own Jillian DiPilla is assisting this year in the Film Festival and we thank her for he hard work and dedication. Jillian is the face behind the scenes also at the Century House, always with a smile. A recent graduate of University of Massachusetts, with a love and passion for the film industry. She most recently completed an internship with 20/20 and Primetime at ABC and worked on Barbara Walters specials. This is her third summer on Nantucket

On going to Martha's Vineyard

I have nothing, absolutely nothing against Martha's Vineyard. The name sounds familiar to many, affiliated with the Kennedys and of course the name itself evokes charm and curiosity. They say once you've been to Nantucket, you will always go back to Nantucket. It awakes the soul, it becomes part of you. So often we have guests who inquire about a trip to Martha's Vineyard, while on Nantucket. And yes you can take a day trip but you have to stay overnight. Most recently we found that our guests were wanting to take ferry to Hyannis Port from Nantucket, early in the morning, then take a ferry to Martha's Vineyard from Hyannis Port. Same for the return trip (take ferry to Hyannis from Martha's Vineyard and then take ferry to Nantucket from Hyannis) all in one day. They were here for one week and they desperately wanted to see Martha's Vineyard. The downfall being that you spend several hours on the ferry and only little time on MV.

Or you can fly over in just minutes.

I am not opposed to a trip to Martha's Vineyard from Nantucket, but I always wondered if it was worth it. So I took a trip, met some friends and had a great time with them. I stayed in the Harbor View Hotel, in Edgartown, which by the way was a beautiful resort. Location. Check. Luxury amenities. Check. Service. Check. Pool. Check. I didn't need the pool since the beach was just a couple steps away. Also, the rooms were grand, clean, beautiful in a hotel kind of way but it still wasn't like staying in a bed and breakfast. It was too commercialized. And there was no personal touch. Of course it is a beautiful hotel, but it seemed to have missed the very thing that draws people to these islands, the charm. You can always stay at a beautiful hotel, just as you can always stay at the Ritz. Edgartown is charming though. White picket fences, small cottages, and the beach. And dinner was superb, one of the best I've ever had. I love seafood but I had the best lamb chops in the world at LoLa's Southern Seafood, in Oak Bluffs So good I am still dreaming of it.

So the experience was unforgetable. With the island being so close to mainland you get many daytime visitors, so the island is packed. Nantucket is 30 miles out to sea and most come for several days to two and three weeks. But the main difference in staying on Nantucket and anywhere else, is that Nantucket Island has kepts its original whaling town ambiance, it stayed true to its roots. You do step back in time. You do get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. There are no commercial stores or restaurants. There are no traffic lights. No Starbucks. The old fashioned lamps still line the cobblestone streets. And you can still hear the church bells ringing. The island is also only 13 miles long and 4 miles wide, and almost half of Nantucket is preserved land for the wild life.

Otilia
Century House

Get your green on Nantucket style

Gone are the days when the only air conditioning in the rooms was wide open windows with natural summer ocean breeze blowing. That was of course back several decades ago and that's just fine with us. We're into the 21st Century where we like to accommodate every need a guest might have. That doesn't mean you can't vacation environment-friendly though. We want every guest to experience the true Nantucket, the Nantucket we know and love and will never get enough of. We have not forgotten the true beauty of what Nantucket has to offer: fresh air, walkable cobblestone streets, starry skies, ocean breezes, sunshine rays, and the natural habitat of birds and wild flowers. Hidden away from mainland USA, 30 miles out to sea, hundreds of years later Nantucket Island is still the prime choice spot for weary summer vacation travelers looking for a way away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. This is what makes Nantucket unique as a destination. About 40% of the island is preserved. We appreciate those who care to preserve its natural habitat. Read here more about island preservation.

Activities on Nantucket are plenty: riding a bike on its well constructed enchanting bicycle paths, swimming in sparkling ocean waters, bird watching, kayaking, feisty fishing, watching the whales, basket weaving, riding the waves, We encourage guests to discover the beauty of Nantucket, and explore nature by a bike ride, walk to town, stroll on the beach. Bicycles are the most affordable, pleasant and environment friendly way to see Nantucket.

Also, in an effort to support healthy living we serve Gerry's Berry Buffet Breakfast, now a popular choice for guests and mentioned in numerous media outlets. Gerry's Berry Buffet Breakfast, blueberries, cranberries, raspberries, cherries, strawberries cascading on his famous granola, organic yogurt, warm oatmeal with granulated maple sugar, cranberry toast, baked bread, fresh orange juice is just the beginning of this bountiful delicious meal. For dinner plenty of healthy choices await you from the fresh fish caught the same day, vegetables from Bartlett's farm and many other dishes served in our favorite restaurants. Call us for dinner references and we'll give you the scoop!

For bicycles go to http://www.nantucketbikeshop.com/ or call 508-228-1999, friendly staff, free fast complimentary island delivery and over 30 years of same ownership.

Nantucket Treasures: Oh give me land, lots of land...

"Oh, give me land - lots of land - under starry skies above - and a place to call my own, please don't fence me in...just turn me loose," Cole Porter

Imagine for a moment where you live. Visualize approximate 50 sq. mile of your surrounding neighborhood. Now replace about 40% of this 50 sq. miles area with open space of undisturbed natural habitat, including beaches, wetlands, aquifer recharge areas, moorlands, heathlands, cranberry bogs; rare species habitat; ocean, pond and harbor frontage, and properties for passive and active recreation.

Welcome to Nantucket Island, where an aggressive land conservation program is acquiring, preserving, and protecting these open spaces and endangered landscapes in the name of the love of the land and for the use and enjoyment of the Nantucket community. Hundreds and hundreds of acres are protected by various conservation groups. This is a first of its kind in the nation. These active groups, artists, community citizens who cherish Nantucket's natural beauty raise funds to prevent environmental degradation by purchasing the open space.

Many of these properties are within 1-2 miles of the Century House, including Tupancy Links, Eel Point and Sanford Farm & Ram Pasture --- the glorious turfs upon which to discover the freedoms of Nantucket and the wonders of the land. Explore, enjoy, live...discover! (photos courtesy of Nantucket Land Council).

Century House
http://www.centuryhouse.com

Century House Welcomes You to Nantucket - Season 2009

 

We will be opening the inn May 15. Looking forward to showing you the true Nantucket experience!

Century House
http://www.centuryhouse.com
Season 2009
15 May - 15 October

Naples Wet Painting Festival

The Annual Artist in Residence Program at Century House Nantucket Kicks off with Naples Wet Painting Festival in Naples Florida with Paul Arsenault, http://www.arsenaultstudio.com/ and Don Mosher, http://www.moshergallery.com/ pictured here with Jean Ellen Heron and Gerry Connick of Century House.





JeanE and Gerry are immensely involved in the arts. They inspire artists to reach their full potential. Aside from the arts JeanE and Gerry's passion involves Century House, http://www.centuryhouse.com on Nantucket Island where the program was started back in the 80's, showing others true living and selling luxury homes in Palm Beach and Gerry's other love Truckie, the mistress, as his wife calls it, a well taken care of 1940's beauty.

The Artist in Residence Program of features Nantucket Artists/Painters of over twenty years and has attracted the talents of Tom Heinsohn, William Duffy, Richard French, Christopher Wheat, Paul Arsenault, Kevin Shea, Diane Aeschliman, John Bannon, Gary Akers, Gary Korlin, Marla Korr, Leonard Mizerek, Don Mosher, Julia O'Malley Keyes, Sergio Roffo, David Schock, Robert Farber, Russ Kramer, Barbara Lussier, Bill Fein, George Augusta, Douglas Smith, David Bareford, John Chakonas, John Caggiano, Catherine Elliott, West Fraser, Jessica Fine, Michael Graves, Gary Akers, Michael Harrell, Greg Sobran, Stephen Hodecker, Lori Zummo, Ralph Waterhouse, Chris Magadini and others. To find information about the artist program go to http://www.centuryhouse.com/charette.htm

Little Known Treasures: Abraham Lincoln, River Queen, A Nantucket Camel Ride

(Photo Above: River Queen (steamboat) at the wharf in Nantucket in the 1860's.) As we all are aware this is the 200th year celebration of our 16th president, Abraham Lincoln's birth, February 12th, 1809. What I didn't know was some of the connections President Lincoln had with various important aspects of Nantucket life in 19th century. President Lincoln and two of his civil war generals Grant and Sherman met on the sidewheeler ferry River Queen up to 48 hours before President's Lincoln's assassination. The River Queen was one of four steamers operating for the New Bedford, Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket Steamboat Co. when it was organized in March 1886. The River Queen had sailed the route to Nantucket since 1871 operated by other owners. It was said that both Grant and Lincoln enjoyed their trips on this vessel. It was taken out of service in 1911.




Another little known fact and Nantucket concerns the "Nantucket Camel Ride." Lincoln, was the only president to hold a patent for invention PATENT No 6469 (wikipedia.org). The "Nantucket Camel" was a pair of hollow barges that would be filled with water and floated on each side of a fully loaded whaling ship and then pumped out so as to lift the ship over the sandbars surrounding the entrance to Nantucket Harbor. At about this same time the 1840's A. Lincoln also applied for a patent in Washington for his invention to help lift boats over sandbars. Lincoln apparently was very pleased with his patent, but ship owners did not flock to use it and Lincoln continued to stay in Washington working on political endeavors. So steamboats were always close to both Lincoln and Nantucket citizens.

Century House
www.centuryhouse.com
508.228.0530