Maria Mitchell AssociationAnnual Report 2011

4 Vestal Street. Nantucket, MA, 02554 508.228.9198 www.mmo.org

The Mission of the Nantucket Maria Mitchell Association is promotion of thelegacy of Maria Mitchell and exploration, education and enjoyment ofNantucket’s land, waters and skies beyond.

In fulfilling our mission we recognize the historic persona of Maria Mitchell,the foremost American woman scientist and educator of the 19th century,and her potential impact on contemporary thought by passing on herlegacy of intellectual curiosity, respect for and love of nature, learning bydoing, and the ideal of individualism.

Maria Mitchell’s contributions to astronomy, science, and education are thebasis for our continuing tradition of high quality research and teachingwhich inspires today’s learners and tomorrow’s scientists.

The NMMA provides scientific resources and educational programs for thecommunity, uses Nantucket Island as an exceptional natural laboratory inwhich to study science and the environment, and maintains research and/orrepresentative collections of Nantucket’s biodiversity.

We strive to delight our members, supporters, and visitors by providing highquality programs, services, and facilities. We strive to ensure our financialviability and the preservation of our buildings and important collections sothat current and future generations can share in this legacy. We strive tocollaborate with other institutions (both on- and off-island) to share relevantorganizational assets to accomplish these objectives, obtain costefficiencies, and reduce our impact on the environment.

Mission Statement

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Dear Members and Friends:

Thank you for your generous gifts to the Maria MitchellAssociation that allow us to accomplish all that you willread on the pages that follow. Your support isespecially appreciated as we launch the planning forthe Nantucket Aquarium and Science Center,slated for an opening in 2015. (Until then, pleasecontinue to visit our facilities in their presentlocations.)

MMA’s family-focused programming delivers activities that allow students ofall ages to take something away from the programs and facilities you enjoy.Whether it’s parents and children, aunts and cousins, grandparents andgrandchildren, families come in groups to visit the blue lobster at theAquarium, feed the snakes at the Natural Science Museum, or attend a star-gazing night at the Observatory. You may also know that we celebrate theMitchell Family, not only through the legacy of Maria Mitchell, but also inthe way we tell the story about how the Mitchell Family lived and learned inthe Mitchell House.

And we celebrate those many families who are now into the fourth or fifthgeneration as members of the Maria Mitchell Association! That’s the kind ofdedication and loyalty that keep institutions like the MMA strong andgrowing after 109 years, while retaining the important traditions that makeus unique!

Finally, I want to acknowledge the family of board, staff, interns, andvolunteers who do outstanding work for the Association day in and day out.Thank you to all for your exceptional contributions.

Sincerely yours,Malcolm W. MacNab, MD, PhDPresident, MMA Board of Managers

Letter from the President

Malcolm W. MacNab, M.D., Ph.D.President, MMA Board

of Managers

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To our Members and Friends:

The Maria Mitchell Association is an organizationfocused on the exploration and enjoyment of thenatural world of Nantucket. You help us to achievethis focus when you join us on a walk or stargazingnight, visit the Aquarium or Mitchell House, andcall us with your questions about the insect or birdyou’ve just seen in your back yard. We aredelighted to be your island resource to satisfy orstoke your curiosity about Nantucket’s naturalwonders.

MMA is also a place where learning happens all-year round. The year just pastsaw record enrollments in Discovery classes – where we educate a risinggeneration of naturalists who develop and practice a deep respect for thehabitats they explore with our staff and interns. MMA’s college and graduateschool interns – numbering as many as 24 in any summer – go on to pursuecareers as research scientists, astronomers, museum staff, archivists, and scienceteachers. Did you know that one in every twenty women who holds the PhD inAstronomy or Astrophysics in the United States participated in the MMAAstronomy Internship program, known as the “Research Experience forUndergraduates” or “REU?” That’s the program that is funded by the NationalScience Foundation and received a Presidential Award for Excellence inMentoring in 2008. MMA staff visit the local public and private schools to leadhands-on instruction on topics ranging from how a snake moves to buildingrobots to the geological features of Sankaty Head. The semi-annual opening ofthe Edith F. Andrews Ornithological Collection to our birding friends brings outdozens of people eager to learn more about avian morphology or just to beamazed at the number of Northern Cardinals or Ospreys we have in thecollection.

We will carry this energy and enthusiasm for learning about Nantucket’s skies,lands, and waters and the creatures that inhabit them when we move to the newAquarium and Science Center on Washington Street in the not too distant future.Keep visiting our web-site to learn more about our plans.

None of these exciting activities and programs would happen without ourGalaxy of Support. Thank you to each of you who contribute your time, talent,and treasure to the ongoing operations and future aspirations of the MariaMitchell Association.

Yours truly,

Janet E. Schulte, PhDExecutive Director

Letter from the Executive Director

Janet E. Schulte, Ph.D.Executive Director

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Highlight: The (future) Nantucket Science Center

The year 2011 will be remembered at theMaria Mitchell Association as the year inwhich we assumed responsibility for theWashington Street properties (31 and 33Washington Street). Planning for itsfuture, we organized a team of MMA staffand board, a surveyor, a hydrologist, andstaff from the Nantucket Land Council toprepare an application for the Nantucket

Conservation Commission to build a new facility on the site. Staff and boardmembers traveled to two dozen museums and aquaria in ten states and threeforeign countries to collect ideas and many photographs of what works well insmall science centers. CenterbrookArchitects and Planners returned toNantucket to aid us with initial designwork and to present drawings at apreliminary session with the HistoricDistrict Commission.

As stewards of the site that willbecome the future Science Center, weaddressed immediate needs: buildingand landscaping maintenance(including a volunteer party to remove1.5 tons of leggy privet) and finding tenants for three of the buildings.

We hosted events in the main building at 33 Washington Street to introducemembers, friends, and other island organizations to our evolving plans about whatwe expect to build on the site. And, we took initial steps to prepare for afundraising campaign to support the project.

The excitement and enthusiasm for the ScienceCenter project is contagious. We hope you’ll catchthe fever, too, as our plans move forward with ananticipated opening in 2015! Meanwhile, pleasecontinue your exploration of Nantucket’s naturalworld by visiting the Aquarium, Natural ScienceMuseum, Mitchell House, and Observatories at theirpresent locations on Washington Street, VestalStreet, and Milk Street Extension.

Explore, Educate, Enjoy: The AnnualReport of the Maria Mitchell Association

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EXPLORE

The research and collections management projects of the Maria MitchellAssociation

All departments maintained an active research agenda in 2011 and continued towork on documenting and improving collections management. Highlights of this

impressive body of work by MMA’s staff,interns, members, and volunteers areindicated below. Please visit online or call508.228.9198 for copies of a department’s2011 Annual Report to the ExecutiveDirector providing details on the researchprojects, conference presentations, andpublications of the departments’ staff.

The highlight of the 2011 researchprogram in Astronomy was thedemonstration by the REU student Kayla

Raymond and Dr. V. Strelnitski that the very first structures (“mini-galaxies” and“mini-quasars”) formed several billion years ago in the expanding universe can bedetected by their hydrogen recombination lines in radio domain. This result wasreported by Ms. Raymond at the annual meetingof the American Astronomical Society and by Dr.Strelnitski at the Symposium of the InternationalAstronomical Union in South Africa. It wasreceived with high interest by the astronomicalcommunity. The first observational programsaimed at discovering these oldest materialstructures in the Universe are in preparation.

In addition to this theoretical demonstration, the other major research results of theMaria Mitchell Observatory in 2011 were:

1. A demonstration through the use of several new sources of strong (“maser”)emission of water vapor, that the gas in the sites of active star formation is in a stateof turbulence that is similar to the atmospheric and laboratory turbulence on earth.This demonstration was in contrast with what had been predicted for the“interstellar supersonic turbulence” (2011 MMO REU student Naomi Alpertsupervised by V. Strelnitski).2. Important new features in the variations of hydrogen emission from closebinary stars containing a red dwarf and a white dwarf star were discovered using

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MMO’s new method of photometry with narrowband filters (2011 MMO REUstudent Caitlin Brecklin supervised by V.Strelnitski and G. Walker; in co-authorshipwith David Sliski, Leslie Brown, and Barbara Bosworth.)3. Unusual activity in the optical variability of three active galaxies (“blazars”) wasdiscovered by the 2011 MMO REU student Santina (Michelle) Consiglio, supervisedby Gary Walker, Alan Marsher, and Svetlana Jorstad.4. The earlier suspected anti-correlation between the variations of thecontinuum radiation and radiation in a hydrogen spectral line in the “star-laser”MWC349 was confirmed and more carefully studied by the 2011 MMO REU studentAlex Hillbrand supervised by Vladimir Strelnitski and Gary Walker; in co-authorshipwith David Sliski and Barbara Bosworth.5. The chemistry of the circumstellar disk around the “star-laser” MWC349 wasstudied theoretically for the first time using a sophisticated computer packageCLOUDY. Predictions of chemical composition were drawn from these computersimulations, which will be used for observational proposals to discover thesespecies and determine the evolutionary status of this enigmatic object. (2011 MMOREU student Krister Lagergren supervised by Vladimir Strelnitski and a former MMOREU student, currently a University of Chicago graduate student, Alissa Bans.)

REU Students presented posters on their 2011 research projects at the AnnualMeeting of the American Astronomical Society.

During the winter and spring months, Dr. Strelnitski welcomed several volunteersto assist with observations, data reductions, and preparing the glass slidecollections for their transport to the Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute (PARI)in North Carolina. PARI is a national repository for astronomical glass slides andoffers a state-of-the-art storage facility. MMA’s 8000+ astronomical photographicplates were taken with the 7.5 inch Cooke/Clark telescope between 1913 and 1995.The plates are on permanent loan to the facility where they are more easilyaccessed by researchers and reside in a better climate for their long-termpreservation. A small representative sample of the slides remain in the MMAArchives. Thanks to Gary Walker and Scott Leonard who safely transported theslides through a snowstorm in the North Carolina mountains.

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The research activities of the Mitchell House, Archives, and Special Collectionsfocus on the conservation of the Maria Mitchell Birthplace and the papers andlibrary of Maria Mitchell, the Mitchell family, and the Maria Mitchell Association. Asthe need arises, the Curator also oversees the conservation of other historicproperties on the MMA campus. The conservation activities were undertaken withsupport from the Community Preservation Act, the M.S. Worthington Foundation,and gifts from individuals to support particular projects. A complete listing may befound in the Giving section of this report.

The major building conservation projects undertaken in 2011 were:

1. Painting the sashes on the southern side of the Mitchell House2. Re-shingling around windows on the western and southern side3. Restoration of a trellis under part of the 1825 Kitchen4. Completion of the grain painting conservation in the 1825 Kitchen5. Cleaning and stabilization of the Mitchell Family stone monuments in Prospect

Hill Cemetery6. Ongoing restoration of the William Mitchell garden7. Creation of informative garden labels with QR codes for Smartphones by the

Mitchell House Curatorial Assistant, Olivia Hull8. Updating of a 1987 Historic American Buildings Survey on the Hinchman

House by Preservation Institute: Nantucket student Ashley Chaffin9. Conservation of Hinchman House façade through stabilization of the front

porch, new fascia board and gutter, and repainting.

Work based on the papers and library of Maria Mitchell, the Mitchell family and theMaria Mitchell Association included:

1. Research on several smaller artifacts in the MMA collection included study of the 3.5” Alvan Clark in the Maria Mitchell Observatory’s collection.

2. Continued work to clean, stabilize, and re-locate the Special Collection books to the climate-controlled storage space in Drake Cottage.

3. Ongoing effort to arrange and re-house the MMA Institutional Archives 4. Re-housing and recording approximately fifty of the Observatory’s glass plates

which were selected to remain at MMA after the collection was sent to PARI. The selected collection includes the first five and last five slides taken by each director of the Observatory during her tenure.

5. More than forty research requests related to Maria Mitchell, her family, and theMMA Archives and Special Collections were made to the Department in 2011.

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The Department of Natural Sciences continues to conduct research and forgecollaborations to study the biodiversity of Nantucket’s flora and fauna. A list ofcollaborators and funding sources is included in the Giving section of this report.

The research projects of the Natural Sciences Department in 2011 were:

1. American burying beetle reintroduction resulting in a presentation at the Northeast Naturalists Conference in Spring 2011 and a report of the project in the 2011 Re-introduction Specialist Group book. To learn more visit: http://www.iucnsscrsg.org/rsg_book.php

2. Purseweb Spiders on Tuckernuck Island including a paper published in the 2011 Journal of Arachnology, volume 39, pp. 171-173.

3. Biodiversity of Harvestmen spiders on Nantucket; poster presentation at the 2011 Nantucket Biodiversity Conference.

4. Population Dynamics and Movements of Nantucket Ospreys. Banded eight chicks in five nests, including the chick of Señor Bones, the Osprey outfitted with a satellite transmitter.

5. Population Survey of the Barn Owls of Nantucket. A total of 51 fledglings and 2 adult Barn Owls were banded in 2011; eight banded birds were recaptured.

6. MMA/Nantucket Shellfish Association Scallop Research Projects included: continued study of the wild populations of Bay Scallops and their distribution, survival and reproduction in Nantucket waters; Histology laboratory at Nantucket High School and the Brant Point Boat House; continued monitoringof spat lines; deployment and monitoring of an artificial settlement structure by Scallop Research Intern, Helen Cheng; and the completion of another roundof benthic surveys.

7. Biodiversity inventory of the Marine Fishes and Invertebrates of Nantucket and Madaket with 77 species of vertebrates and 50 species of invertebrates collected. A complete list can be found in the “2011 Annual Report Scientific Collecting Permit No. 146078.”

8. Biodiversity of the Snakes of Nantucket to study the activity periods, habitat use, life history traits, and approximate densities for the snakes of Nantucket.

9. Second season of Bee Inventory and Specimen Processing with the Nantucket Conservation Foundation.

10. Nightjar Surveys on Nantucket with 5 Whip-poor-wills heard on 15 June and anincidental report on 7 June.

11. Road Kill Survey of Nantucket to identify areas with high road mortality and to possibly identify important animal travel routes.

12. Dragonflies and Damselfly Inventory located 20 species of dragonflies and 9 species of damselflies.

13. Continuation of Spring Surveys of Horseshoe Crabs on Nantucket. 14. Survey for Tiger Beetles of Nantucket found five species, including one of

special concern.

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The activity of the Natural Science department generally creates new specimens forMMA’s biological collections. In 2011, 36 new specimens were added to the EdithF. Andrews Ornithological Collection and two open houses were held for interestedindividuals to view the collection. The Entomology Collection received specialattention this year. Beetle, grasshopper and butterfly specimens collected since2000 were sorted and catalogued by interns Eric LoPresti and Julia Blyth. Newlabels were put on the specimens.

EDUCATE

The educational program and learning resources of the Maria MitchellAssociation

We welcomed the arrival of Whitney Morris as Education Director in May. The MMAsummer Discovery program will never be the same. Her experience with andpassion for environmental education led to immediate modifications in thesummer 2011 offerings and resulted in the Board’s approval of her proposal to addnew adventure and safety features to the Discovery classes.

This summer, we had 203 total familiesparticipate in the 2011 Discovery ProgramClasses filling 445 spots, 93% of the totalcapacity. Twenty-two percent of the students(104) were year-round Nantucket residents.This year, MMA offered a 50% discount for allDiscovery Program classes to island residents.New this year, the EGCF, a non-profit

organization based out of Southern Connecticut, offered a scholarship programthat reduced the cost of each class by 80% of the membership rate. Eleven childrenparticipated in this program. The Discovery staff delivered nine private programsincluding private Discovery Programs, corporate events, and birthday parties.Marketing exposure was enhanced by staffing a table at the Farmer’s Market three

times. The interns provided games and activities, as well asMMA information, which proved to be a great opportunity forrecruitment to the Discovery Program, as well, as providingexposure for the Museum and Aquarium. We are grateful toour colleague island organizations for their support of theDiscovery programs through the resources and expertise theyprovide to our young students.

The Mitchell House Junior Historians classes included two new topics among itsofferings: a “Nantucket Girls” class teaching children about Nantucket women andgirls in the 18th and 19th century and a class on crafting kaleidoscopes and bubbleblowers to teach about optics and popular 19th century children’s toys.

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Mitchell House teamed up with professional conservators to host several historicpreservation workshops utilizing the Mitchell House as subject. These workshopsincluded a Behind-the-Scenes tour of Mitchell House focusing on its conservationand its architecture; a demonstration of the historic processes concerning limemortar – used on the Mitchell House chimney – with island conservation mason,Pen Austin, and a workshop on historic paintanalysis utilized in the Mitchell House led byprincipals of the New York-based IntegratedConservation Resources, Inc. These workshopswere co-sponsored with the NantucketPreservation Trust and Nantucket: PreservationInstitute, two long-term collaborators with theMitchell House and the Maria MitchellAssociation.

Staff from the Mitchell House, the Nantucket Historical Association, and theNantucket Preservation Trust created a walking tour focused on four centuries ofdomestic life on Nantucket by comparing the architecture and lifestyles of thosewho inhabited the Oldest House, Greater Light – from barn to early 20th centuryhome – Mitchell House, and Hadwen House. The tour, offered during PreservationMonth (May), was a great success and plans are underway to continue to offer it.

The Naturalist-in-Training (N.I.T.) program, re-designed in 2010, welcomed 35new participants and 19 returning N.I.T.s. This year, the Nantucket ShellfishAssociation funded the participation of three N.I.T.s on the scallop researchprogram which allowed them to complete their NIT certifications. Certified NITsbecome the trained volunteer workforce that assist at the Aquarium and NaturalScience Museum and provide support to the summer Discovery Classes.

Members and friends also learn about the natural world of Nantucket through birdwalks in a collaboration with the Linda Loring Nature Foundation (450 people),insect, spider, and wildflower walks (147) marine ecology walks (896), beach

combing walks (42) and StargazingNights at the Loines Observatory (963).The delightful weather of the summer of2011 meant that the MMA’s museumsand facilities experienced a drop inattendance from 2010: Aquarium (5806),Natural Science Museum (1573), MitchellHouse (765). However, a second afternoontour nearly doubled attendance at the

Vestal Street Observatory (456). This year, a Doctor Fish was the featuredcreature for the Aquarium’s naming contest. “Stitches” was the winningappellation. The Mitchell House and the Vestal Street Observatory tours were openon weekends through Columbus Day; the Natural Science Museum remained open

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on Saturdays offering family-focused programs on topics ranging from electricity,to Bone CSI, to snakes. Staff led “Nantucket Ambles” on Sunday afternoons in theoff-season with up to 25 people attending.

The Astronomy department hosted six publiclectures: “Dark Energy and the AcceleratingCosmos” by Dr. Joshua Roth (Lesley College);“Gravitational Wave Echos from the Universe” byDr. Laura Cadonati (UMASS, Amherst); “Basics ofCelestial Navigation” and “The Origin of Time” byDr. V. Strelnitski, and “Research News from MariaMitchell Observatory” – a joint lecture by the2011 MMO REU students. Dr. Jill Tarter, the

Bernard M. Oliver Chair for SETI (Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence) and Directorof the Center for SETI Research gave a talk to a packed house at the NantucketAtheneum titled ‘setiQuest’ – Building a Global Community to Search forExtraterrestrial Intelligence.

The quest for learning permeates the work and thinking of all MMA staff members.In response to a suggestion that more scientific education was needed tounderstand the complexity of coastal erosion and shoreline processes at work onNantucket, Executive Director, Janet Schulte briefly returned to the role ofcurriculum designer. She led a collaborative effort with the NantucketConservation Foundation, the Nantucket Garden Club, the Nantucket Planning andEconomic Development Commission, and‘Sconset Trust, to offer a workshop on “erosion” inAugust 2011. Dr. Peter Rosen and Dr. Sue Halsey,both respected coastal geologists, offered a two-hour program to a crowd of 150+ interestedindividuals at the Coffin School.

MMA offered field trips and classes to on- and off-island groups. Several classes from the NantucketElementary School joined MMA staff to learnabout life cycles, habitats, the solar system, andanimal adaptations. Off-island schools included Waldorf School of Belmont, New

York School of Interior Design, Lesley University,and The Grammar School, Putney, Vermont. Thesestudents worked with MMA staff from the differentdepartments to learn about astronomy, the naturalsciences, and history. Science education andhistory programs ranging from live animals toastronomy were also held at the island’s privateschools, several pre-schools, the NantucketCommunity School, and the Boys and Girls Club.

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Mitchell House Curator, Jascin Leonardo Finger, took her show on the road to theNantucket Elementary School. She taught a unit on Maria Mitchell, the MitchellFamily, and Nantucket life in the 19th century to 130 third graders over severalweeks in the spring. Each unit included short talks by Jascin, hands-on workcrafting 19th century instruments and mementos, and presentations with artifactsfrom the Mitchell House. Supported by the Community Foundation of Nantucket,

the third-grade unit promises to continue to grow andbecome a key way that the island’s third graders will learnabout Maria Mitchell and her amazingly talented family.

The Natural Science Department partnered with theRotary Club of Nantucket (represented by AnnieMendelesohn) to give native tree saplings to all 5thgraders on the island. Rotary funded the project andMMA staff designed the class presentations andfacilitated communication with the schools.

Students from Worcester Polytechnic Institute lived at the Maria MitchellAssociation in Fall 2011 as part of their “Interactive Qualifying” course in theirprogram of study. The students were divided into teams to conduct researchprojects for different island organizations. One team of students – Aileen Caceres,Christa Coscia, and Christopher Surprenant– conducted a study for MMA and otherIsland non-profits titled, “Determining the Feasibility of a Shared CollectionsStorage Facility.” The students interviewed staff from several island organizationsto ascertain the storage needs for each organization and to makerecommendations for how a collective group might move forward with thedevelopment of a shared facility.

Citizen Science Projects invite members andfriends to become active participants in the MMA’songoing research projects. Citizen scientists of allages joined osprey and barn owl banding trips, theAmerican burying beetle expeditions, andHorseshoe crab surveys. Volunteers also worked inthe Observatory to prepare the glass slide platecollection for its transport to PARI and to assist withdata reduction and observations. Maris Humphreysvolunteers to catalog the Nantucket BiodiversityLibrary.

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ENJOY

The special events and relationships we celebrate

Throughout the spring, summer and fall, MMA staff held workshops, “Hard Hat”events, and special programs at 33 Washington Street, the future home of theNantucket Science Center. The aim was to introduce members, friends, partnerorganizations, and supporters to our plans for the site, to get their feedback, togenerate interest, and to enjoy the space. One of the special programs was an

Exposition by the Naturalists-in-Training who gavedemonstrations of the projects they worked on overthe summer including bird-skinning, a posterdocumenting the biography of Maria Mitchell, anddata from the scallop research project. More than1000 people visited the facility through one of theseopportunities or when the space was loaned toother organizations as a meeting place, party spot,

or exhibit space. Groups as diverse as the Hamilton College alumni association, theNantucket Land Council, and Habitat for Humanity took advantage of theopportunity to use the space. At each session, MMA staff gave brief presentationsabout the facility and aspirations for the future.

Three hundred and sixty people braved thefearful “Haunted House” that MMA staff built inthe facility to celebrate Halloween. At least threehundred of them made it all the way through thescary walk.

Birding Events Our sixth annual off-island springbirding experience was held in Central Park inMay 2011. Paul Sweet, Ornithology Collections

Manager at the Museum of Natural History led the small but enthusiastic groupthrough the Park on a beautiful spring morning. A week later, birders onNantucket identified 113 species of birds as part of the annual Birdathon.

The 2011 Annual Meeting was held at 33 Washington Street site on June 17th.Andrew Mckenna-Foster, Director of Natural Sciences Education and Programs,delivered an engaging talk on the American burying beetle research project.Reports from the President, Treasurer, Chair of the Nominating Committee andExecutive Director were also given.

An Evening with the Stars, MMA’s annual fundraising gala was held on Sunday,July 10th at Sankaty Head Golf Club. Nat Philbrick served as the honorary chair ofthe event. His gracious remarks reminded all about the deep affection our

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members, friends, and supporters have for MMA and all it has offered the island.He expressed his enthusiasm for the Association’s future plans and the greatpromise those plans hold for the inquiring minds that will explore and enjoy it. Aspecial thank you to the Gala Committee who makes sure the event is top drawerand to the many Gala Sponsors whose financial support makes the Gala such acelebratory and outstanding event. The evening featured a silent auction withitems ranging from cocktail cruises to signed baseballs to private star parties. Morethan 200 people attended the Gala with raised funds to support MMA’s research,education, and public outreach efforts.

The Mitchell Housed opened the 1825 Kitchen to Nantucket Preservation Trust’sannual Summer Kitchen Tour in July 2011. 452 People in the 1825 Kitchen in 6Hours! While lacking a Viking Stove or even running water, the Mitchell Housekitchen was a big hit as people compared modern kitchens to one of 1825. MMA’spartnership with NPT now includes admission to the Mitchell House as a benefit ofNPT membership. NPT holds the conservation easement to the Mitchell House andhas been key in helping to showcase the Mitchell House to its members.

Maria Mitchell’s Birthday Celebration: August 1st The annual celebration ofMaria Mitchell’s birthday included games and activities led by the EnvironmentalEducation interns, an appearance by the Martian Cat and skits by the Astronomy

REU interns, free tours of the MitchellHouse, Observatory and the NaturalScience Museum, a small touch tankfrom the Aquarium, the annual exhibitof Maria Mitchell’s Gold Medal, and aspecial pilgrimage by the summer staffto Maria’s gravesite following the day’sfestivities.

Sconset Walks featuring the neighborhood’s birds, wildflower, and geology led byAndrew Mckenna-Foster for members of the ’Sconset Trust continued into theirfifth season.

The Maria Mitchell Association received a 2011 Clean Harbor Award from NantucketCommunity Sailing for our work to promote better scientific understanding ofNantucket’s waters through water quality research, shellfish and Osprey populationstudies, and classes promoting environmental practices. The award was presented atthe prize ceremony during Nantucket Race Week in August.

MMA has expanded its technological touch to its members and friends through animproved presence on the website and through Facebook and Twitter. Facebookfriends received regular status updates about the goings on, activities, and

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Explore, Educate, Enjoy

programs at MMA; Twitter followers can get up to the minute bird sightings orother discoveries; and the blog, “Maria’s Attic” features behind-the-scenesinformation about the Mitchell House, Archives and Special Collections. Inaddition, you can now find historic photographs of the Mitchell family on theMMA’s website as well as a short biography of Maria Mitchell with “pop-ups” ofphotographs and information of the period in which Maria Mitchell lived.

MMA provided a touch tank for theNantucket Maritime Festival sponsored byReMain Nantucket and Egan MaritimeInstitute in September.

In December 2011, Executive Director JanetSchulte delivered a powerpoint presentationat the NHA’s weekly Brown Bag LunchSeries on the “History and Vision of theNantucket Science Center.”

The annual winter holiday reception held each December was a joyful eventattended by 48 of our fabulous volunteers.

Little known to our members and friends, one of the job responsibilities for eachMMA staff member is to volunteer in the community. MMA staff offer their timeand talents to a variety of island organizations including The Lighthouse School,The Montessori Children’s House, Habitat for Humanity, One Book One Island, theNantucket Public Schools, Prescribed Fire Crew, Autism Speaks, Historic StructuresAdvisory Board, Credit for Life Fair, and the Clean Team.

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In Memoriam: M. Jane Stroup

On November 4th, the MMA lost a dear friend. M. Jane Stroup, Ph.D., known to allas Jane, was the MMA’s first year-round librarian, her tenure running from 1970through the spring of 1994. Jane was known for her quick wit, her fantastic annualreports presented to the membership in verse, and for being the year-roundpresence of the MMA for so many years – the Library lights were the only ones onVestal Street in the MMA complex of buildings. Jane was a lover of the naturalworld – from birds to wildflowers – capturing these in her sculpture and her poetry.She was a member of the Nantucket Artists Association. An English and Biologymajor in college, Jane went on to earn her Master’s Degree and then her Ph.D. atNew York University. She moved to Nantucket in 1968 and would later alsobecome well-known for the wonderful garden and greenhouse she shared onCandle House Lane with Joan Manley. She was a woman of many talents, gracingall with her humor, love, and incredible knowledge and intelligence. In 1987, Janewas thanked by the MMA’s president Jane Merrill for her long service to the MMA.In her public thank you, President Merrill said “Although many science librarieshave bigger collections than the Maria Mitchell Science Center, none is morefriendly, better organized, or better cared for . . . The user is assured of a warmwelcome . . . ” Jane will be greatly missed.

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Thank you for your generosity! Yourgifts to the Annual Appeal, an Eveningwith the Stars Gala, membership, andspecial campaigns and gifts allow MMAto continue a legacy of exploration,education, and research. We areespecially grateful to the members of theMaria Mitchell Circle who provideleadership support in their annual giving.

Membership in the Maria MitchellAssociation brings you into the heart ofMMA’s activities and programs toexplore and learn about the unique andspecial marine, terrestrial, and celestial“habitats” of Nantucket. AnnualMembers provide important unrestrictedgifts to support our programs. Thebenefits enjoyed by our membersinclude: discounts on classes, programsand workshops; invitations to join ourcitizen science research activities; freeadmission to the Natural ScienceMuseum, the Aquarium, the MitchellHouse, Vestal Street Observatory tours,and Stargazing Nights at LoinesObservatory; a 10% discount in themuseum shops; and a subscription tothe E-comet newsletter. For a completelist of 2011 members, please contact theMMA at (508) 228-9198.

There are many ways to give to MMA.Please consider the MMA in your estateplans with a bequest, a gift of stock,mutual funds, securities, IRAs, or otherretirement plans; or with a gift of cash, agift in-kind, or a matching gift from yourbusiness/employer. You may choose tosupport a specific program ordepartment or give an unrestricted giftwhich can be directed to where it is most

needed. We are happy to discuss theoptions with you. Please contact us at(508) 228-9198.

We strive for accuracy in this list. If yourname has been omitted or listedincorrectly, please let us know at (508)228-9198

ANNUAL APPEAL $25,000Caren Lambert & Charlie Ryan

$10,000Mr. & Mrs. Amos HostetterThe Kenneth & Hazel Roe Foundation

$5,000Cox Foundation, Inc.The H.L. Brown JR Family FoundationMr. & Mrs. John Weatherley

$2,500-$4,999Mr. & Mrs. Pierre Nicolas Uberto CrosbyMr. & Mrs. Dennis CrossMr. H. Crowell FreemanMr. & Mrs. Bruce LawlerMr. & Mrs. Richard MenschelMr. & Mrs. Joseph R. Seiger

$1,000-$2,499Mr. Ward C. BelcherMr. & Mrs. Harrington BischofRuth & Robi BlumensteinMr. & Mrs. J Stewart BryanChoate Hall & Stewart LLPMr. & Mrs. John L. DanielsMs. Susan DeutschMr. & Mrs. David DillardMr. & Mrs. James DuffyMr. & Mrs. Charles M. GeschkeMrs. Paul GibianMr. & Mrs. Stephen GlasserJudy Family FoundationMr. & Mrs. Terry LenznerMr. & Mrs. Jack Leonardo

Our Galaxy of Support

18

Mr. & Mrs. Ken LoganDr. & Mrs. Malcolm MacNabMarie C. & Joseph C. Wilson FoundationMr. & Mrs. Marlin MillerMr. & Mrs. Greg MorzanoMr. & Mrs. Carl M. MuellerMr. & Mrs. Scott NathanJosh Posner & Ms. Eileen RuddenMr. & Mrs. Frederick SingerMr. & Mrs. Ned SymesMr. & Mrs. William C. Wallace

$500-$999Arsenault GalleryMr. & Mrs. Philip D. BartlettMr. & Mrs. Jay BowditchMr.& Mrs. David CheekMr. & Mrs. Gordon CooneyPeggy GilfoyDr. Julie KaufmanDr. & Mrs. R. Fredric KnauftMr. & Mrs. Christopher LarsenMs. Joan H. ManleyMr. & Mrs. G. Nicholas MillerMs. Margaret MitchellMr. & Mrs. Nathaniel PhilbrickDr. Douglas Horst & Ms. Maureen PhillipsMr. & Mrs. Robert SchwedMr. & Mrs. Gregg Seibert

$250-$499Ms. Clara BinghamMs. Joan R. BollingMr. & Mrs. William S. BrenizerMr. & Mrs. Douglas BrownEugene & Carol Atkinson Family FoundationMr. & Mrs. John FalkMr. & Mrs. Sam FlaxMr. & Mrs. Randy GretzThe Hon. & Mrs. Ray GrubbsMrs. Dorothy K. HesselmanJudith F. Lee & Robert SchwarzenbachMadaket MarineMrs. Barbara H. MalcolmMs. Betty Ann MorrisMr. & Mrs. Robert J. Newhouse Jr.

Mr. & Mrs. Al NovissimoMr. & Mrs. E. Prather PalmerMr. & Mrs. Harry T. ReinMs. Janet E. SchulteMr. & Mrs. James M. StewartMr. & Mrs. Geoffrey Verney

$100-$249Mr. & Mrs. Joseph AguiarMr. & Mrs. Thomas J. AnathanMr. & Mrs. Norman J. AsherMr. & Mrs. John BartlettMr. & Mrs. Eric BaurmeisterMs. Maureen V. BeckMs. Bonnie BurattiMs. Martha CarrMr. & Mrs. Jeff ConstableMs. Amanda CrossDr. Elizabeth A. DanielsMs. Judy DeutschMr. & Mrs. George A. FowlkesMr. & Mrs. Jay FraserMr. & Mrs. Herb FrerichsMs. Fay GambeeDr. Henry GewirtzMs. Fifi GreenbergMs. Toby Ann GreenbergMr. & Mrs. James GrievesLaura Simon & James GrossMs. Ellen HardeMr. Charles C. HarwoodMr. & Mrs. William H. Hays IIIMr. & Mrs. David HorstMs. Judith T. KarpenMs. Betty P. KenanMr. & Mrs. Eric KraeutlerMr. & Mrs. John G. LathropMr. & Mrs. Edwin Deane LeonardMr. & Mrs. Larry LevineMr. & Mrs. William LothianMr. & Mrs. James LoweMr. & Mrs. David ManleyMrs. Mary Lou McGuireMr. & Mrs. Eugene G. McGuireMr. & Mrs. William C. Miller IVMr. Stephen Mirick

19

Dr. & Mrs. Robert W. NoyesMr. & Mrs. Henry O’NeillMs. Nannette OrrMr. Richard PeischMr. Robert S. PerkinMr. & Mrs. H. Flint RanneyRichard Brooks Insurance AgencyMr. & Mrs. Kermit RooseveltMr. Roger RouxMr. Errol RudmanMs. Dorothy SavareseMs. Alexandra StepanianMr. & Mrs. Harris StoneLandey StronginMr. & Mrs. Derek E. TillMr. Michael L. TrimpiMr. & Mrs. Donald TrottMr. & Mrs. John WagleyMr. & Mrs. William WallerMs. Suellen WardWarren and Susan Stern Family FundMr. & Mrs. John W. WebsterMr.& Mrs. Clark WhitcombMr. & Mrs. W. Lee WileyMrs. Mary-Elizabeth YoungMr. & Mrs. Edwin Zschau

Up to $100 ($99 or less)Ms. Mary C. AveryMs. Joan BadieMr. & Mrs. Kenneth BlackshawMr. & Mrs. Richard BraumanMs. Amy BrillMr. & Mrs. Richard BrimerDr. & Mrs. George ButterworthMs. Martha Stahr CarpenterMr. Hill Carter Jr.Mr. & Mrs. Erik CaspersenMrs. Lilma CookJascin Leonardo & Eric FingerMr. & Mrs. Jeramiah Ford IIIJulia Waggener & Richard FosterMs. Marcia FowleMrs. William GriederMr. & Mrs. Garth GrimmerMr. & Mrs. David Hargrave

Mr. & Mrs. William HillMs. Eleanor JonesMr. & Mrs. Lee LloydMr. & Mrs. Warren LymanMr. & Mrs. John MillerMr. & Mrs. Judson PotterDr. Joanna RankinMr. & Mrs. J. West RiggsMr. & Mrs. Marvin RothmanMr. & Mrs. Mort SchlesingerLars & Nancy SoderbergMr. & Mrs. Vladimir StrelnitskiMr. & Mrs. Robert W. SziklasMrs. Anne TroxellMrs. Roger C. WardMs. Barbara WareckJoel & Judith WeinsteinMr. & Mrs. Stephen A. Wise

MARIA MITCHELL CIRCLE The Maria Mitchell Circle recognizesindividuals who make unrestricted giftsto the Annual Appeal or Membershiptotaling $1,000 or more.

Mr. Ward C BelcherMr. & Mrs. Harrington BischofMr. & Mrs. Robi BlumensteinMr. & Mrs. J Stewart BryanChoate Hall & Stewart LLPCommunity Foundation for NantucketCox Foundation, Inc.Mr. & Mrs. Pierre Nicolas Uberto CrosbyMr. & Mrs. Dennis CrossMr. & Mrs. John L. DanielsMs. Susan DeutschMr. & Mrs. David DillardMr. & Mrs. James DuffyFalconwood Foundation, Inc.Mr. H. Crowell FreemanMr. & Mrs. Charles M. GeschkeMrs. Paul GibianMr. & Mrs. Stephen GlasserMr. & Mrs. Amos HostetterJudy Family FoundationMs. Helen Kurtz

Our Galaxy of Support

20

Mr. & Mrs. Bruce LawlerMr. & Mrs. Terry LenznerMr. & Mrs. Jack LeonardoMr.& Mrs. Ken LoganDr. & Mrs. Malcolm MacNabMarie C. & Joseph C. Wilson FoundationMr. & Mrs. Martin McKerrowMr. & Mrs. Richard MenschelMr. & Mrs. Marlin MillerMr.& Mrs. Greg MorzanoMr. & Mrs. Carl M. MuellerMr.& Mrs. Scott NathanMr. & Mrs. Nick NicholasMs. Margaret ReynoldsMr. Josh Posner & Ms. Eileen RuddenMr. Jonathan Molot & Ms. Hattie Ruttenberg

Caren Lambert & Charlie RyanMr. & Mrs. Joseph R. SeigerMr. & Mrs. Frederick SingerJoan Manley & M. Jane StroupMr. & Mrs. Ned SymesThe H.L. Brown JR Family FoundationThe Kenneth & Hazel Roe FoundationMr. & Mrs. Helmut WeymarThe Gilbert Verney FoundationMr. & Mrs. William C. WallaceMr. & Mrs. John Weatherley

GALA SPONSORS 2011 Corona Borelis — $15,000+Dr. Mary A. Poor

Cygnus — $10,000Caren Lambert & Charlie Ryan

Ursa Major—$5,000Anonymous Mr. & Mrs. Martin McKerrow

Ursa Minor— $2,500Mr. & Mrs. Howard BlitmanMr. & Mrs. Dennis CrossMr. & Mrs. David DillardMr. & Mrs. Charles M. GeschkeMrs. Paul Gibian

Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Greig IIIJudith F. Lee & Robert SchwarzenbachMr. & Mrs. Michael NelsonMr. & Mrs. Nathaniel Philbrick

Cassiopeia— $1,000Ms. Susan BaerMr. & Mrs. John BelashMr. & Mrs. William BirchMr. & Dr. Bernard Brennan VCape Cod Five FoundationMr. & Mrs. Douglass EllisMr. & Mrs. Charles M. HaleMr. & Mrs. Peter HowellMs. Helen KurtzMr. & Mrs. Peter ManusNeuberger & Berman, LLC FundMr.& Mrs. James NolenMr. & Mrs. Kenneth RomanJosh Posner & Ms. Eileen RuddenMr. & Mrs. Joseph R. SeigerMr. & Mrs. Ned SymesMr. & Mrs. William C. Wallace

Aquila — $500Mr. Ward C BelcherMr. & Mrs. David CheekMr. & Mrs. John L. DanielsMs. Susan DeutschMr. & Mrs. Daniel W. DrakeDr. Ronnie ElwellMr. Robert A. EmackMr. & Mrs. John FalkDr. Henry GewirtzDrs. Margaret & John GoldmanMr. & Mrs. Leonard GreenbergThe Hon. & Mrs. Ray GrubbsMr. & Mrs. William H. Hays IIIMr. & Mrs. Kevin HickeyMr. & Mrs. Peter L. KellnerMr. & Mrs. John J. KennedyMr. & Mrs. Bruce LawlerMr. & Mrs. Edward LawrenceLebowitz Family FoundationDr. & Mrs. Malcolm MacNabMs. Eileen P. McGrath

21

Mr. & Mrs. C. Hardy B. OliverGarrett Thornburg & CatherineOppenheimerDr. Douglas Horst & Ms. MaureenPhillips

Ms. Janet E. SchulteL. Dennis & Susan R. ShapiroMr. Geoffrey SilvaMr. & Mrs. Peter SmithMr. & Mrs. Phillips SmithMr. & Mrs. Jeffrey SorosMr. & Mrs. Warren SternMr. & Mrs. Harris StoneMrs. Anne P. StrainDr. Jephtha Tausig-EdwardsMr.& Mrs. Peter ThomasMr. & Mrs. Derek E. TillMr.& Mrs. George West

GALA GIFT AND TICKETS Ms. Mariann Hundahl AppleyMr. & Mrs. John W. Bickel IIIMr. Jason Bridges & Ms. Courtney NemethMr. & Mrs. Richard CharpieMr. & Mrs. Victor ConklinMr. & Mrs. James DuffyEgan Maritime Institute Peggy GilfoyMr. John A. HerndonMr. & Mrs. William HillMonica O’Neil & Stephen JenningsMr. & Mrs. John JohnsonMs. Patience KillenNancy Gillespie & Ulrich LachlerMr. & Mrs. Edwin Deane LeonardMr. & Mrs. James LoweMs. Judy MacleodDr. & Mrs. Malcolm MacNabMr. & Mrs. Bruce D. MillerMr. & Mrs. David MorrowMr. & Mrs. Eloy NavaMr. & Mrs. Harry OstranderMr. Bruce PercelayDr. Douglas Horst & Ms. Maureen PhillipsCharlie & Marty PolachiMr. & Mrs. Abrar QureshiMr. & Mrs. Phillip Read

Mr. & Mrs. Thomas RichardsPenny Scheerer & John SchwanbeckMary Farland & James ShockeySusan Florence & Alan SmithRev. Georgia Ann SnellMr. & Mrs. Charles SouleRev. and Mrs. William SteelmanMrs. Anne P. StrainMrs. Ada B. StrasenburghMr. & Mrs. Ned SymesMr. & Mrs. Jotham TausigMr. & Mrs. Bill UnterekerMs. Suellen WardMr. & Mrs. Thomas WeinstockDr. & Mrs. John Cornelius WestMr. & Mrs. Larry WetzelMr. & Mrs. F. Scott WilsonMr. & Mrs. Derek Young

GALA SILENT AUCTION ITEMDONORS Addison CraigAmbrosiaAnnie BogertBelongingsBest of the BeachBill & Hannah WallaceBlack-Eyed Susan’sCandy GreigCaren Lambert & Charlie RyanCenter Street BistroClaire MurrayClay Art StudioCoastal Vintage Home & GardenCompany of the CauldroncurrentVintageDune RestaurantEric Finger, Finger BoatworksErica WilsonFreedmans of NantucketMr. & Mrs. Harris StoneIsland BuggieIsland CashmereIsland VarietyJ. McLaughlinJim SulzerMr. & Mrs. John Belash

Our Galaxy of Support

22

Johnstons CashmereKidding AroundLe Cherche MidiLe LanguedocLeslie LinsleyMr. & Mrs. Martin McKerrowMr. & Mrs. Michael NelsonMilly & GraceMitchell’s Book CornerMolly Fitzpatrick & Joan DuesingMurray’s Toggery ShopNantucket Bike ToursNantucket BookworksNantucket BrandNantucket Carving & Folk ArtNantucket Edible LandscapesNantucket Golf ClubNantucket GourmetNantucket Natural OilsNantucket Preservation TrustNantucket Theatre WorkshopMr. & Mrs. Nathaniel PhilbrickNina McLemorePetticoat Row BakeryPi PizzeriaPinwheelsRalph LaurenRed SoxSarah GreigShreve, Crump & LowSkirtin’ AroundSotheby’sStephanie’s NantucketStore #2Sweet Inspirations Ted BlankThayer LaffeyThe ChanticleerThe Galley RestaurantThe Lion’s PawThe Roamin’ PizzeriaThe SeaGrilleThe Toy BoatTim ParsonsTown RestaurantWannacomet Water CompanyWhite Elephant

GIFTS IN HONOR OF MEMBERS ANDFRIENDS

In Honor of John DanielsThe Hon. & Mrs. Ray GrubbsMs. Janet Schulte

In Honor of Stuart FiertyMs. Marcia Fowle

In Honor of Leonard GreenbergMr. & Mrs. Howard Blitman

In Memory of Dorrit HoffleitMs. Margaret DolemanMs. Judith Karpen

In Honor of Dr. Bob KennedyMr. & Mrs. John Falk

In Memory of M. Jane StroupMr. & Mrs. David ManleyWilliam and Barbara Maple

In Memory of Mrs. Virginia Charles SwainMr. Jonathan Swain

In Memory of Douglas UnruhSusan Wallace Barnes

NANTUCKET SCIENCE CENTERCAMPAIGN Mr. & Dr. Bernard Brennan VMr. & Mrs. David W. CoxMr. & Mrs. John L. DanielsMr. & Mrs. James DuffyMisses. Emma & Isabelle DunlapMrs. Paul GibianMiss Ella GriffithsThe Hon. & Mrs. Ray GrubbsMs. Susan KaplanMr. & Mrs. Bruce LawlerDr. & Mrs. Malcolm MacNabMr. & Mrs. Peter ManusMr. & Mrs. Martin McKerrowMs. Tamsen MerrillNantucket Clambake Company

23

Our Galaxy of Support

24

Nantucket Elementary SchoolMr. & Mrs. Michael NelsonThe Perkin FundDr. Mary A. PoorJosh Posner & Ms. Eileen RuddenCaren Lambert & Charlie RyanMs. Janet E. SchulteMr. & Mrs. Harris StoneMrs. Anne P. Strain

RESEARCH and OUTREACH PROJECTSAmerican Burying BeetleU.S. Fish and Wildlife ServiceRoger Williams Park ZooNantucket Conservation FoundationNantucket Cottage Hospital Nantucket Land Bank Massachusetts Audubon Society

AstronomyNational Science Foundation – ResearchExperience for Undergraduates

American Astronomical Society

Barn Owl Research ProjectNuttall Ornithological ClubTamara Munk

Birdathon 2011Mr. & Mrs. Joseph AguiarMr.& Mrs. Mark AguiarKenneth & Cynthia BlackshawMs. Karen BorchertBarbara E. BundMrs. Carol A. CatonJay Wennemer & Ellyn EinhornMs. Ann RaddingMr. David Ryan LandscapingNoreen C. SlavitzLynn Zimmerman & George Thomas

Education ProgramsNantucket Golf Club Foundation

Erosion WorkshopMr. & Mrs. Arthur G. BrollNorwood & Marguerite DavisMr. & Mrs. Douglass EllisWilliam & Marilee MattesonDexter and Susan PaineMr. & Mrs. Brian SimmonsMr. & Mrs. Frederick SingerMr. & Mrs. Thomas TuttleMr. Helmut WeymarMr. & Mrs. Jim Walker

Mitchell House, Archives and SpecialCollectionsCommunity Foundation for NantucketCommunity Preservation Act M. S. Worthington FoundationPatricia HalstedSanford KendallJames StorrowClarissa Porter

Natural Science MuseumCape Cod Five FoundationNantucket Shellfish Association

Osprey Research ProjectPeter & Maria KellnerLynn & Nick NicholasKaren & Josef Fischer

Scallop Research Shellfish and Harbor Advisory BoardNancy Sayles Day FoundationNantucket Shellfish Association

SnakesNantucket Biodiversity Initiative

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FOUNDATIONS ANDORGANIZATIONS

American Astronomical Society

Community Foundation for Nantucket

Community Preservation Act

Marine Home Center

M.S. Worthington Foundation, Inc.

Nancy Sayles Day Foundation

Nantucket Biodiversity Initiative

Nantucket Golf Club Foundation

Nantucket Shellfish Association

National Science Foundation – Research

Experience for Undergraduates

Nuttall Ornithological Club

Richard Coyle Lilly Foundation

Shellfish and Harbor Advisory Board

US Fish and Wildlife Service

GIFTS TO THE COLLECTIONS OF THEMARIA MITCHELL ASSOCIATION

The Mitchell House, Archives andSpecial Collections accepted severalgifts in 2011:

1. Eileen McGrath: letters from L.Noblick, former Natural ScienceAssistant Director

2. Deborah Stackpole Merritt: Societyfor the Preservation of New EnglandAntiquities 1926 publication

3. Nancy Giragosian: perennials forMitchell House garden restoration

4. Jeanne van Etten: Maria Mitchelltree topper made for Nantucket Historical Association Festival of Trees

5. Nantucket ConservationFoundation: Nantucket wool forMitchell House “Nantucket Girls” classproject

6. Mr. and Mrs. John Sayer: Seven 19th century tin and iron kitchenimplements including: toaster, tinlantern, and foot warmer –tin objectsmay have been fabricated by PelegMitchell Jr.

7. Elizabeth Gilbert: Philip’s Chart ofthe Stars, ca. 1925

8. Todd Stout: wood plinth for bust ofMaria Mitchell

The Astronomy Department acceptedthe donation of furniture and artworkfor the MMA guest apartment from theDiCurcio family.

The Natural Science Museum acceptedthe donation of an aquifer model fromthe Wannacomet Water Company and amultimeter for the electricity programsfrom Phil Gallagher.

Financial Report

26

The Nantucket Maria Mitchell Association

Statement of Financial Position

December 31, 2011

(With summarized Financial Information for 2010)

Assets

2011 2010

Cash and cash equivalents $531,147 $518,963

Inventories 2,878 2,878

Pledges receivables 1,152,092

Other receivables 4,335 5,085

Employee receivable 10,000

Investments 3,290,457 3,488,924

Beneficial interest in real estate trust 318,000 318,000

Remainder interest in property 429,360 413,240

Deferred expenses 7,271

Property, plant, and equipment, net 5,080,324 5,213,327

$10,815,864 $9,970,417

Liabilities and Net Assets

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities $ 76,286 $ 105,829

Net assets

Unrestricted 6,632,675 7,046,999

Temporarily restricted 2,178,264 888,950

Permanently restricted 1,928,639 1,928,639

Total net assets

10,739,578 9,864,588

$10,815,864 $9,970,417

27

The Nantucket Maria Mitchell AssociationStatement of Activities

Year ended December 31, 2010(With Summarized Financial Information for 2009)

Operating activities: Unrestricted Temporarily Permanently 2011 2010Revenue and support Restricted RestrictedPrograms $180,408 180,408 $182,306Admissions 35,495 - - 35,495 41,436

Museum Shop 20,509 - - 20,509 23,045Memberships 84,460 - - 84,460 101,176Grants 11,360 142,789 154,149 224,630Contributions 136,533 17,991 154,524 189,800

Special events 131,398 - - 131,398 125,696Investment return designated for operations 228,000 228,000 270,000 Rental income 34,995 - - 34,995 7,615

Interest income 2,122 - - 2,122 1,468 Net assets released from restriction- - Satisfaction of program restrictions 165,051 (165,051) - - - Satisfaction of capital-related activities 190,589 190,589 31,644

Total revenue and support 1,220,920 ( 4,271) - 1,216,649 1,198,816

ExpensesProgram services 1,178,622 - - 1,178,622 1,088,946 Management and general 161,763 - - 161,763 159,702Fundraising and capital campaign 96,392 - - 96,392 93,659

Total expenses 1,436,777 - - 1,436,777 1,342,307

Change in net assets from operating activities (215,857) (4,271) (220,128) ( 143,491)

Non-operating activities:

Investment return, less amounts designated for operations (198,467) - - ( 198,467) 14,847Contributions and grants restricted for capital activities- 1,468,054 - 1,468,054 182,373

Donation of remainder interest in property - 16,120 - 16,120 15,780

Gain on sale and disposition of assets 3,096,497Net assets released from restrictionSatisfaction of capital restrictions - (190,589) - (190,589) ( 31,644)

Change in net assetsfrom non-operating activities ( 198,467) 1,293,585 - 1,095,118 3,277,853

Change in net assets (414,324) 1,289,314 - 874,990 3,134,362

Net assets, beginning of year 7,046,999 888,950 1,928,639 9,864,588 6,730,226

Net assets, end of year $6,632,675 $2,178,264 $1,928,639 $10,739,578 $9,864,588

The financial statements for 2010 have been audited by Bollus & Lynch, LLP, who have rendered an unqualifiedopinion on them. Complete financial statements are available on request.

MMA BOARD OF MANAGERSOfficers:Malcolm W. MacNab, MD, PhD John L. Daniels, First Vice PresidentPatty Gibian, Second Vice PresidentDeborah J. Manus, ClerkMichael Nelson, Treasurer

Honorary Vice Presidents:Eileen McGrathRobert W. Noyes, PhD

Managers: Term Expires

2012Lisa Clarey-LawlerPatty GibianMichael NelsonAnne Parks Strain

2013Patricia L.R. Brennan, PhDJohn L. DanielsDeborah Manus

2014Caren Lambert, PhDToni B. McKerrowMary Archibald (Bebe) Poor, DVMEdward Symes IIIHoward N. BlitmanDennis CrossMalcolm W. MacNab, MD, PhDEileen Rudden

MMA STAFFAdministrationJanet E. Schulte, PhD, Executive DirectorIsabella Wagley, Marketing and Development Associate

Joan Alison Stockman, Financial Administrator

Scott Leonard, Property Manager

Elizabeth G. Grubbs, Carvin Associates, Development Consultant

AstronomyVladimir Strelnitski, PhD, Director of Astronomy

Nancy Strelnitski, Observatory AssistantGary Walker, MS, Telescope Engineer and Astronomer

David Sliski, BS, Summer Research and Teaching Assistant

EducationWhitney Morris, MA, Summer Education Director

Mitchell HouseJascin Leonardo Finger, MA, CuratorOlivia Hull, Curatorial Assistant, University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth

Natural SciencesAndrew Mckenna-Foster, MS, Director ofNatural Science Education and Programs

Robert S. Kennedy, PhD, Senior ResearchFellow

Edith F. Andrews, MS, Ornithologist Emeritus

Valerie A. Hall, Research AssociatePeter B. Boyce, PhD, Research AssociateCheryl Comeau Beaton, Director, Maria Mitchell Aquarium

W. Forrest Kennedy, BS, Aquarium Advisor

2011 INTERNSAstronomy (NSF-Research Experiencefor Undergraduates)Naomi Alpert, Vassar CollegeCaitlin Brecklin, Michigan State UniversityMichelle Consiglio, University of Notre DameAlex Hillbrand, Cornell Univeristy.Krister Lagergren, University of VirginiaKayla Redmond, University of North Carolina, Ashville

Board and Staff

28

AquariumHannah Siebens, BA,Vassar CollegeBrenda Ferriera, BS, Unity CollegeErikson Smith, Lester B. Pearson Collegeof the PacificHelen Cheng, BS, Stony Brook University(scallop research)

EducationKelly Lee, The College of New JerseyCelina Hoar, Roger Williams UniversityLaura Stone, Dickinson UniversityMeagan Bonefante, Eckerd CollegeBrittany Dzwonchyk, University of Connecticut

Elisabeth Mox, Miami University

Marketing and Public RelationsAnnie Bogert, Middlebury College

MMA Marine Science InternChristine Seibert, Junior, Home schooledMercy Paine, Junior, Glenholm School

Natural Science MuseumJulia Blyth, BA, Ohio Wesleyan UniversityEric LoPresti, BS, Brown University Allison Feldman, BS, Binghampton University

VOLUNTEERSAstronomySteven Bopp (NPS)Barbara BosworthLeslie BrownTom CalderwoodMeredith Muller Nikolay Nakov (NPS)Alan Sliski

Mitchell HousePatricia Michaelson, Ph.D., Tour GuideMaris Humphries, Rare Book Cataloger

Natural Science Volunteers Marcia Aguiar OrnithologyGinger Andrews OrnithologyHarry Bartlett OrnithologyJason Beale Museum Animal

CareOliver Bender ScallopsLois Boland ScallopsMichael Boland ScallopsAmanda Boyd Horseshoe Crabs

and OrnithologyKenneth T. Blackshaw OrnithologyLeah Cabral Animal Care and

Scallops Daniel Drake ScallopsDas Durgama-Lescault Horseshoe CrabsNancy Giragosian AdministrationWill Halik MuseumNikki Huang OrnithologyMaris Humphreys Biodiversity

LibraryDiane Lang OrnithologyScott Leonard Horseshoe CrabsErik Lokensgard Ornithology/

ScallopsMartin McKerrow ScallopsTamera Munk OrnithologyCaldwell Munk OrnithologyJerry Newhouse Horseshoe CrabsJustine Paradis Harvestmen

ProjectMichelle Perkins Horseshoe CrabsLiz Rollins ScallopsMadi Sanders Museum

Animal CareLynn Scholz ScallopsSandy Spencer Scallops/Ospreys/

Horseshoe Crabs/Barn Owls

Sarah Teach Horseshoe CrabsRuth Thompson Museum Gift

ShopJeff Tocci Horseshoe CrabsDick Verville Scallops

29

Volunteers through the Naturalist inTraining Program (Hours)* = NITs were funded by the NantucketShellfish AssociationAnabel Brown 3David Brown 9George Brown 3Thomas Carroll 12Christopher Chai 6Dominic Costanzo 32.25William Daffin 12Charlotte Dowley 3Katherine Dowley 3Kieran Dowley 3Andrew Flax 33Christopher Fraker 3Sadie Goetze 6Oliver Gordon 3Olivia Gotham 13Perry Hanson 6Isaac Hersh 180Abigale Hines* 37Jolie Jaycobs 12Anne Jennings 10James Jennings 6Harriet Ketchen 7Finn Kusler 18.5Heyward Lathrop 10Alexander Libman 10Anne Macleod 6Ned Manus 270Henry Michaelis 3Spencer Morrow 48.5Emily Okun 6Nicholas Panchy 29Crawford Patton 34Sarah Paulsen 9Madeleine Phillips 3Will Pincine 3Michael Proch* 52Sophie Proch 39Morgan Ravenscroft 7Tristram Ravenscroft 13Natasha Recoder 3Olivia Reed 3

Charles Ryan 27David Ryan* 37Grace Sullivan 29Mackenzie Welch 6Ben Wolfson 21Jonah Wolfson 21Lila Wolfson 3Callum Zehner 9

AdministrationMarcia AguiarKenneth BlackshawJordan Concannon BledsoeSally CharpieMary Ann DoberDebra ElmegreenRonnie M. ElwellFay GambeeBarbara Kates-GarnickCandy GreigElvira HardenDolly HowellJack KennedyJudith LeeJim LoweTricia LoweKaren MacNabMartin McKerrowGreg MaskellDebbie Stackpole MerrittMichelle PerkinsAnn RaddingPatty RottmeierPam St. PierreEsta-Lee StoneTara VittoneHannah WallaceJo Zschau

COLLABORATIONSCollaborations The Maria MitchellAssociation is proud to establishcollaborations with other non-profitorganizations and universities to offerthe best in programs and to conduct

Board and Staff

30

research vital to understanding andpreserving Nantucket’s natural areasand unique natural history. Ourcollaborating organizations are:American Association of Variable StarObserversArtists Association of NantucketBoston UniversityChildren’s House of NantucketCity University of New YorkEgan Maritime InstituteHarvard University Museum ofComparative ZoologyLinda Loring Nature FoundationThe Lighthouse SchoolLong Island UniversityMassachusetts Audubon SocietyMassachusetts Division of MarineFisheriesNantucket AtheneumNantucket Biodiversity InitiativeNantucket Boys and Girls ClubNantucket Community SailingNantucket Conservation FoundationNantucket Historical AssociationNantucket Islands Land BankCommissionNantucket Land CouncilNantucket Marine & Coastal ResourcesDepartmentNantucket Public SchoolsNantucket Preservation TrustNantucket Shellfish AssociationNantucket Shipwreck and LifesavingMuseumNational Collaborative of Women’sHistory Sites National GridNational Museum of Natural HistoryOxbow Associates, Inc.Preservation Institute: NantucketRoger Williams Park ZooRotary Club of Nantucket‘Sconset TrustShearwater Excursions

The Trustees of Reservations Tuckernuck Land TrustUMass Boston Nantucket Field StationUMass Dartmouth School of MarineScience & TechnologyUniversity of North Carolina at CharlotteUniversity of Rhode IslandUS Fish and Wildlife ServiceVassar College

ASSOCIATION PRESIDENTS1902-1911 Mary W. Whitney1912-1914 Mrs. Wilfred Lewis1915-1926 Ellen Folsom1927-1929 Alice M. Howland1930-1946 Margaret U. Davis1947-1948 Charles Neal Barney1949-1953 Margaret U. Davis1954-1959 Charles G. Snow1960-1962 Edouard A. Stackpole1963-1973 B.F.D. Runk, PhD1974-1980 Alfred Bornemann, DEng1981-1989 Jane W. Merrill1990-1991 Robert K. Noyes19912-1994 Robert W. Noyes, PhD1995-2000 Daniel W. Drake2001-2007 Judith F. Lee2007-2010 Toni B. McKerrow2010- Malcolm W. MacNab,

MD, PhD

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4 Vestal Street

Nantucket, MA02554

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