Each year people from off-island, yielding to the lure of Nantucket,
buy old houses, or occasionally build new ones, for seasonal
occupancy. For many such the season is lengthening year by year. The
spring and fall are glorious in this island climate. The diversions
and occupations many and amply absorbing.
Such people almost invariably want an “old” house. From an investment
viewpoint alone an old or old-style house sells or rents much more
readily and for higher prices than a modern-type structure. Many
prospective customers will not look at the latter.
There is a surprisingly large number of competent local carpenter-builders,
masons, painters, plumbers and electricians resident on the Island.
They can undertake and properly execute practically any work that is
likely to be specified. Many of them are glad to assist in carrying
out the old Nantucket traditions, but there have been some who
frankly had no love for the old; building a house for themselves
they would abandon every old feature; there have been a few with
very unique ideas of what they call “antique;” so it is essential
that strict care be exercised in making additions or building new
structures to see that the right designs and details are both adopted
and executed.
How can this much desired end be accomplished? It has been suggested
that an illustrated book with simple analysis and exposition of this
subject would help. This book is an endeavor to be of such assistance.