Neighborhood Book Series
The Neighborhood Book Series is a collection of books detailing the history and evolution of Nantucket buildings. Each book is thoroughly researched and written by NPT historian Betsy Tyler and beautifully illustrated using historic photographs and maps to create a record of Nantucket's heritage.
As advocates for Nantucket's historic architecture, NPT believes the book series helps promote the importance of Nantucket's architecture and assists in our efforts to minimize the needless destruction of historic fabric that often occurs.
"Off Centre: The Wesco Acre Lots"
Available late June, 2010
The Wesco Acre Lots book is the second in the Series with publication expected in late June, 2010. The book features 84 structures in the residential section of the original Wesco Acre Lots. The neighborhood was selected because it is Nantucket's earliest residential subdivision - laid out in 1678 by the proprietors, or shareholders, of the island.
Bounded by Liberty Street on the south; Federal Street on the east; Broad Street and what is now Quince Street on the north; and Gardner and Liberty Streets on the west, the Wesco Acre Lots was divided into twenty shares, each two rods wide and eighty rods long, or 160 square rods, the equivalent of one acre. Extending from the wetlands at Federal Street to the west end of the parcek, these long, narrow acre lots were perfectly designed for rows of houses.
Zaccheus Macy, who wrote an account of Nantucket for the newly formed Massachusetts Historical Society in 1792, claims that "Wesco," one of the many Indian place names on the island, means "white rock," in reference to a large, white stone that is now obscured by one of the wharves.
"A Walk Down Main Street"
A Walk Down Main Street: The Houses and Their Histories presents the history and evolution of one of Nantucket's most famous neighborhoods with detailed information on the 30 dwellings that line Main Street from the Pacific Bank to the Civil War monument.
Preparation for A Walk Down Main Street included extensive original research conducted on each building by Ms. Tyler, who examined deeds, probate records, early tax lists, historic photographs and other original documents to identify ownership, construction dates, and the stories of the houses’ past residents. This information provides new insight into the lives and homes of 19th century Nantucket. Layout and book design was completed by NPT’s graphic designer, Kathleen Hay, who has blended facsimile documents and modern photographs to provide compelling views of this neighborhood over time.
To purchase a paperback edition of A Walk Down Main Street on our website,
please click here.
Hardcover edition must be specially ordered. Call the NPT office to purchase (508) 228-1387, or send us an email request at info@nantucketpreservation.org.
