Connecting All with Inner Light

Lovers of history, art, peace, eccentricity and Nantucket summers will unite this July 20 at 8 Howard Street.  Thereupon sits a rare piece of Nantucket so preserved that you’d believe its original inhabitants still lurk there. And considering the thriving legacy left behind by those anomalous persons, perhaps they do remain.  After its decades of decay, the former barn-turned-home, Greater Light, is ready for its grand reopening.

It was during the height of the Great Depression when Quaker sisters, Gertrude and Hanna Monaghan, purchased and gradually restored an 18th century barn in what is now the Town area.  The sisters lived a richly creative life, filling their home with eccentric decor yet not bothering to worry if others thought them strange.  (Many did!)  The Monaghans dedicated their minds to the arts and spent much of their summers here honoring theater, music, and the peace that accompanies tea parties. 

The Monaghans named their barn-home Greater Light, referring to the “Inner Light” that leads Quakers through life.  Though many islanders scorned the sisters, their influence slowly coaxed a new era of artistic life to bloom on Nantucket.  That spirit of creative thinking outlived the Monaghans themselves.  In the early 70s, when Hanna Monaghan passed away, she bequeathed her memory-filled home to the Nantucket Historical Association. The one stipulation was that the structure be used "in all ways possible to benefit the public."  In 1973, the NHA opened the strange yet vastly interesting Greater Light to the public as a museum.

But of course, by 2011, any 18th century structure will require upgrading for safety reasons.  The NHA took on the challenge and has seen great success so far.  In order that restorative work may continue at Greater Light, 14 of Nantucket’s finest contemporary artists contributed masterpieces to a benefit auction.  Greater Light inspired each stunning work of art – from sculpture to print to painting – and all proceeds from the auction go directly back to the building’s restoration.  This glamorous opportunity to be a part of Nantucket’s history begins with an online auction, which is currently accessible through www.NHA.org.  The benefit will culminate on July 15, when an exclusive live auction will be held in the exquisite Greater Light Garden.  (Not to worry if you will not be on-island during the live auction; absentee bidding is available!)

Be sure you don’t miss the Free Community Open House that will take place from 2-5 p.m. on Wednesday, July 20.  Thereafter, Greater Light will be open to the public until September 30.  Tours are every Wednesday and Friday from 4 to 5 p.m. and the garden is open daily for self-guided exploration. Ticket are $6 for adults, and $3 for youth.  Set aside some time to visit this incredibly unique piece of Nantucket’s Quaker roots, and you may discover your own artful, peaceful Inner Light!