Nantucket Historical Association Buys Bartlett Road Property For $6 Million

The Nantucket Historical Association has announced the purchase of a one-acre property at 91 Barlett Road, an acquisition that will allow the non-profit to relocate its current wood shop and improve safety while freeing up critical space for other initiatives.

A special NHA members’ meeting was held on Thursday, April 24 to conduct a formal vote to move forward with the property acquisition, which the membership unanimously approved. The investment aligns with the NHA’s strategic and property plans, the non-profit announced, and when combined with updates to the Whaling Museum and the Gosnold Collections Center, this property will meet the NHA’s current and future space requirements.

A key benefit to this property acquisition includes collection care and expansion, as 91 Bartlett includes a move-in ready, first-class workshop, allowing the NHA to relocate its current wood shop out of the collections storage facility—dramatically improving safety and freeing up critical space for upgraded artifact handling, treatment rooms, digitization workstations, and better-designed storage solutions.

"Climate resilience and emergency preparedness have also been top of mind, as this property is located mid-island and away from the coastline, offering a safe and secure location for collections and operations," the NHA stated. "The building’s steel-reinforced floors and oversized overhead doors are designed to accommodate truck access directly into the facility, ensuring year-round, all-weather loading and delivery. This capability becomes particularly valuable in emergency scenarios, should the NHA need to evacuate collections from other locations."

This property acquisition will also support expanded employee housing and increased office space. With available ground cover and appropriate zoning, the NHA could construct a variety of accommodations, including single-family homes or additional duplexes. The property currently includes over 1,500 sq. ft. of finished office space, with an additional 2,100+ sq. ft. of unfinished space that could be adapted into offices, conference rooms, or apartments as the needs evolve.

“The NHA has been in active conversations regarding 91 Bartlett for over a year and a half. In this case, timing is not driven by the market, but by a rare alignment of opportunity, strategic vision, and long-term benefit to the organization and the island community it serves,” said Niles Parker, NHA Gosnell executive director. “The NHA’s Board of Trustees, staff, and properties committee have thoroughly evaluated this property acquisition opportunity and feel confident this positions the NHA to achieve many of the strategic goals we have set out for ourselves, while creating integral operational opportunities. The organization’s mission requires long-range thinking and proactive investment in the infrastructure that will sustain us for generations to come.”