If you’ve been to Nantucket, you must have noticed something peculiar about the houses on this island. There is a kind of uniformity and synonymity about them.
Well, it is not coincidental. There are several written and unwritten rules about how houses on the island should be built. If planning to buy a house to live in or rent out to vacationers (which is currently a highly profitable venture), it is advisable that you first familiarize yourself with these rules. It will help you avoid getting on the wrong side of the law and easily blend in with your surroundings.
Here are five interesting facts you should know about the iconic Nantucket houses.
1. Most Houses are Grey
As mentioned above, you cannot build as you please on this island. Even though you don’t have to copy and paste the old architecture exactly, you should still show some respect for it. This means adopting some of their vital conventions.
For example, your house should have unpainted shingles. Once these shingles encounter harsh weather conditions, they weather to a soft gray. Most old houses on the island are constructed using this method, explaining why the grey color is common. It makes Nantucket buildings unique and outstanding.
Nonetheless, this architectural style is not rare. It was commonly used to construct beachfront properties on islands, including coastal Maine, Rhode Island, Cape Code, Newport, and Long Island. The only difference is that it is more common in Nantucket and is still used to this day.
2. There are Stringent House Renovations Regulations
Instead of building a house, you can buy an existing one and renovate it to suit your tastes and preferences. However, any changes or upgrades you make should comply with the Nantucket Buildings Regulations. Working with a contractor and a labor force well-conversed with these regulations is advisable. They will help you know what is acceptable and what is not.
3. Flowers in the Garden are a Necessity
When spicing up your garden and compound flowers come in handy. They add a sense of intentionality and make you feel more in touch with nature.
In most places worldwide, whether you plant flowers in your garden is solely up to you. Not in Nantucket! Walking around the island, you will find a variety of flowers around most homes such that it seems like a competition of sorts. If you construct or buy a home anywhere on the island, you must follow suit for homogeneity. But you do not need to plant the same kind of flowers as your neighbors. There are a variety of flowers and growing styles to choose from.
The best approach to this is to go for flowers that are guaranteed to thrive on the island and will best complement your house design. For example, if you have a cottage, you can plant high-flying roses such as Dorothy Perkins, American Pillar, or New Dawn. They are not only aesthetically pleasing but also smell good.
4. Window Boxes are a Big Plus
In addition to the garden flowers, most Nantucket homeowners incorporate window boxes. Just as their name suggests, they are classic wooden boxes holding flowers, primarily adjacent to windows. They help beautify the area around it.
How and where you place them speaks volumes about your creativity. Also, the flower choice and combination matter a lot. It would help if you tried out different combinations from year to year to find what best works for you.
Also, remember to take good care of your plants oftenly. Window boxes usually require a little more attention and love than garden flowers. Due to their positioning, they easily draw people’s eyes. You will need to often trim, water, and add some fertilizer.
5. The Oldest House Was Built in 1686
Nantucket’s authorities do a commendable job of preserving the culture, heritage, and buildings in Nantucket. Consequently, the island has plenty of well-maintained old buildings – some even several centuries old!
Currently, the oldest house on the Island is Jethro Coffin House. It was built in 1686 and is classified as the oldest building on the island, still located on its original site. The house was a gift to Jethro Coffin and Mary Gardner during their wedding. Their union had helped foster a good relationship between two of the island’s families, who had been in constant conflict over wealth and resources. The Jethro Coffin House was a physical sign of the newfound unity between the two families.
After the couple passed, family members took over ownership, renovated, and maintained the house. In 1923, NHA acquired the house and later handed it over to Historic New England, who reconstructed it to restore its initial appearance. Unfortunately, in 1987 it was struck by lightning, which caused a lot of damage, necessitating more work.
Several decades later, the house still stands and is considered a National Historic Landmark. Both locals and vacationers can visit it to reminisce about life on the island in the 16th century.