Description:
This is a group of six buildings organized and maintained in honor of distinguished astronomer and Nantucket native Maria Mitchell (1818-89). The science center consists of astronomical observatories, with a lecture series, children's science seminars, and stellar observation opportunities (when the sky is clear) from the Loines Observatory at 59 Milk St. Extension (tel. 508/228-9273). The Loines Observatory is open July and August Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 9pm; September to June it's open Friday at 8pm. There is no opportunity for viewing at the older Vestal Street Observatory at 3 Vestal St. (tel. 508/228-9273), which is open June to September Tuesday through Saturday at 11am for a 1-hour lecture about the association's history in the field of astronomy.
The Hinchman House Natural Science Museum (tel. 508/228-0898) at 7 Milk St. (at Vestal St.) houses a visitor center and offers evening lectures, bird-watching, wildflower and nature walks, and discovery classes for children and adults. The Mitchell House (tel. 508/228-2896) at 1 Vestal St., the astronomer's birthplace, features a children's history series and adult-artisan seminars, and it has wildflower and herb gardens. The Science Library (tel. 508/228-9219) is at 2 Vestal St., and the tiny, child-oriented aquarium (tel. 508/228-5387) is at 28 Washington St. and is open Monday to Saturday, 9am to 4pm.
- © Frommer's 2013
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Awards:
Frommer's
- Highly Recommended 2010
- Details
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Contact:
- visit website
- tel: +1 508 228 9198
- fax: +1 508 228 1031
- send email
Address:
- 4 Vestal St
- At Milk St., about 1/2 mile southwest of the town center
- Nantucket, MA 02554
Neighborhood:
Nantucket TownHours:
- Early June to late Aug Tues-Sat 10am-4pm; call for off-season hours
Strenuousness:
- Easy
- User Rating
