Tour of Historic House
Visitors and island residents in town for Christmas Stroll will have a rare opportunity to tour one of Nantucket’s historic homes that dates back to the 1700s. The Nantucket Preservation Trust will open the house at 85 Main Street on Saturday, December 5, from 1 to 4 p.m. Tour goers will view the first floor of the house, learn about its history and architecture, and find out how historic preservation plays a critical role for the island community. In addition, in 85 Main will be the NPT Holiday Marketplace, featuring gifts for architecture and history buffs.
The house, which is only two blocks from the center of town at the corner of Main and Winter streets, is the ideal building to showcase the evolution of a Nantucket house over three centuries. Elements from the Colonial to the Victorian period are found and include features such as early timber framing, 18th century windows, classically-inspired Greek Revival moldings, and an elaborate late 19th century marble fireplace.
Like many island houses, 85 Main has had only a handful of owners. The land that includes the present house site was granted by the Proprietors to Jabez Bunker in 1722. The Bunker land extended as far as present day 95 Main, and, by 1724, is thought to have held Bunker’s dwelling, barn, and shop. For years the house at 85 Main was believed to be Bunker’s early home, but recent investigations suggest the oldest portion dates to the 1740s and was built by Francis Barnard, cordwainer (shoemaker). Barnard, orphaned at 17, chose Bunker as his guardian, and he permitted Barnard to build a home on the site.
In 1775 Edward Allen, housewright, acquired the dwelling from Barnard and appears to have improved the original “half house” making it a full center chimney house by 1795. That year Allen sold the house to Prince Gardner, a successful merchant and ship owner married to Francis Barnard’s daughter Deborah. After twenty years, the Gardners essentially bought back Deborah’s family home and it remained in the family’s possession for the next three generations. Prince Gardner’s son Benjamin held the house until his death in 1865, when his son Robert F. Gardner purchased it from the estate. Robert Gardner is credited with initiating changes that are most apparent today, such as the current floor plan and fine Greek Revival features. Upon Robert’s death in 1927, the house passed out of the Gardner family. The current owners, John and Marie Sussek, acquired the house in 1976 and in 2003 donated a preservation easement to the Nantucket Preservation Trust to ensure the preservation of the structure.
Founded in 1997, the Nantucket Preservation Trust is a not-for-profit, membership organization which serves as an advocate for the protection and preservation of Nantucket’s historic architecture. NPT offers a host of educational opportunities for islanders and visitors throughout the year.
