Greater Light

Its very name elicits the spirit of the summer colony of artists that arose on Nantucket in the 1920s. Gertrude and Hanna Monaghan were among them, drawn from Philadelphia to this "faraway island in the sea" in search of a studio in which to paint and write. With their Quaker belief in the Inner Light guiding them, the Monaghan sisters lovingly transformed an eighteenth-century livestock ham into a remarkable summer home, aptly naming it Greater Light.

Art, the Monaghans believed, was an expression of the Inner Light, and so they embellished their home with architectural flourishes that included gilded pillars and massive iron gates, an eclectic collection of furnishings and art, and a garden with a small fountain. In her book, Greater Light on Nantucket, Hanna provides a compelling, and often humorous, account of how she and Gertrude set about renovating the property from 1929 to 1933. The book has been reprinted and is available at the Museum Shop. Tucked away at 8 Howard Street, Greater Light provided the Monaghans with a cultural haven where they and their friends enjoyed musicales, theatrical performances, poetry readings, and art. In particular, the sisters were known to open their home for candlelight concerts, teas, and garden parties on behalf of the Nantucket Historical Association and other island organizations. While their home and lifestyle were a dramatic departure from the island's conservative standards of the time, Gertrude and Hanna Monaghan are now recognized as leaders of the arts movement that remains a vibrant part of Nantucket today.

In bequeathing the property and its furnishings to the NHA in 1974, it was the Monaghans' intent that Greater Light should be used "in all ways possible to benefit the public." For the next twenty years, the NHA maintained it as a house museum - just as if the Monaghans still lived there -providing tours of their home and garden to visitors seasonally, until the need for major structural repairs and restoration forced its closure. The charming garden has been generously maintained by a benefactor and remains open to appreciative visitors.

The Vision for Greater Light

The NHA plans to restore and more fully interpret Greater Light so as to bring to life the interpretive theme of Nantucket as an art colony and resort.

As both a reflection of the past and a glimpse into the future, Greater Light will turn a page in the most recent chapter of Nantucket's history as a retreat for artists and vacationers alike.

The Greater Light project will be undertaken in two phases. First, the entire building will be made structurally sound. This will include stabilizing the foundation and bearing walls, bringing the utilities up to code, reshingling the roof, installing a handicap-accessible bathroom, insulating the walls, and improving the drainage around the house.

Second, the interior, furnishings, gardens will undergo restoration and conservation. The original furnishings, which are stored at the NHA's Gosnold Center collections facility, will be conserved and returned to Greater Light, preserving the legacy of the Monaghans and the style and atmosphere of their exotic home. The restored property will become a year-round venue tor lifelong learning in the arts and for small gatherings that extol the arts and culture — small art exhibitions, poetry readings, plays, musical performances, and garden parties. The Great Room's flexible open space is well suited to community-wide discussions and collaborations related to promoting and preserving Nantucket's heritage and culture. The room will have full audio/visual capabilities, Internet access, and a large projection screen and sound system. An interpretive presentation will tell the story of Greater Light and the Art Colony and Resort theme, while also linking the property to others in the NHA's portfolio of historic properties. Just as it was used by the Monaghans, the patio area — with its decorative brickwork, wrought-iron railings, heavy beams, and curtains— will again become an ideal setting for performances, small receptions, and lectures.

In restoring Greater Light, the NHA intends to provide an example of the best practices in historic preservation and of how like-minded organizations, such as the Nantucket Community Preservation Committee, the Nantucket Preservation Trust, and the NHA, can work in partnership and with individuals who have a deep appreciation for this community icon.

In the process of restoration, the project will include renovating a basement apartment, providing much-needed housing for an NHA staff member as well as space for on-site administration and security.

The Nantucket Historical Association seeks funding to restore the historic building and gardens, reinterpret the site in the Art Colony and Resort theme, and provide a permanent endowment for the property's care.

For more information on how you can help us with achieve our goals for Greater Light, click here.