Faces Of Nantucket: Val Ryder

Years on Nantucket: 54

Favorite things about the island: The tranquility, spending as much time on the water as possible, and family.

Val Ryder’s life on Nantucket began in 1970 when she first visited the island with a friend – a short stay that quickly became a lifelong commitment. It started a five-decade-long journey in which Ryder would become deeply involved in the island’s community and history. Today she is one of the longest-running cab drivers and tour operators on the island, with some of the most most recognizable taxis on Nantucket.

When Ryder first set foot on the island, Nantucket was home to just 3,600 people, a stark contrast to the bustling summer destination and growing year-round population it has today. She recalls the harsh winters the island used to have, along with the tranquility that came with a slower pace of life.

“The winters were severe,” Ryder recalls. “Eighteen to 20 inches of snow, and sometimes the harbor would freeze over completely.”

Ryder’s first job on Nantucket was as a secretary at Nantucket Cottage Hospital, a position that helped her integrate into the close-knit community. She later transitioned into a bookkeeping role at Young’s Bicycle Shop, one of the island’s oldest businesses.

“Because I’m a bookkeeper, I’m a numbers person, right,” she said.

After also working in real estate, Ryder found her way to the Nantucket Historical Association as she was a self-taught history buff. After having the opportunity to work with historical art books at the NHA, Ryder was hooked on the island’s past.

“Once I started learning that, I couldn’t get enough,” Ryder said.

After seeing how extensively Ryder knew the island’s history, the NHA president at the time, Mark Beale, suggested she sign up to do island tours, leading to the creation of Val’s Cab and Tours of Nantucket.

Ryder started the company in 1995 and in the first two years of running the business, she logged 800 people in the guest book. That list has only grown over the years, giving her the opportunity to meet thousands of visitors to the island.

“Once I started the tours, I then took on taxis,” Ryder explains. “So I did that for 34 years. I’ve had a great time here – I wouldn’t do this anywhere else.”

So what makes a good cab driver? Ryder emphasized the importance of patience, small talk, and listening. She knows when to say no if she’s not feeling up to it, ensuring she’s always in the right mindset for her passengers.

Ryder also raised her children on Nantucket, with all of them attending the local schools. She proudly mentions how they all built their lives on the island, creating a strong family legacy.

“It’s a complete circle,” Ryder says. “I sit back and I’m involved – you really can’t plan anything like that, so I’m happy.”

Ryder has witnessed continual shifts and growth of the island but has never regretted her decision to build her life on Nantucket. She sees the constant changes as progress, calling the fast ferry the best thing that happened – because when she originally moved to the island, only the slow boats took people to and from the mainland. 

“I’ve had an interesting life here, but it’s been better than it would have been if I had stayed on the mainland,” she said. “I had a lot of opportunities because I came early, and I had a good education.”

For those who are also looking to set their roots on the island, Ryder suggests learning about the island as she did, searching for what would make people happy to stay.

“Learn the island, learn what it’s about,” Ryder said. “It’s really changed, but not to a point that I ever want to leave. I’m here for the duration.”