Who We Are

Our Mission

The NPT is concerned about the protection and preservation of Nantucket's historic architectural exteriors and interiors, its gardens and streetscapes. At the heart of our mission are the following three objectives:

Advocate - We serve as an advocate for preservation by speaking out in defense of historic buildings and by holding and monitoring preservation easements on historic structures.

Educate - We help homeowners, trades people and the general public to appreciate the value of historic architecture and serve as a preservation resource so all can understand how it can be protected and preserved.

Celebrate - We celebrate and honor these historic buildings by completing house histories, neighborhood books and house markers, conducting tours. We recognize the accomplishments of others by presenting preservation and stewardship awards. We invite others to celebrate historic structures by attending our Summer Kitchens Tour and The August Fête.

How we are unique

We are not a regulatory body
The NPT is an independent, membership-based organization concerned about the Island’s historic architecture. We provide programs that explore the architecture and history of our buildings, and increase appreciation of the importance and fragility of these resources. Of special concern are Nantucket’s historic interiors that are not protected by the local government and are threatened by insensitive “gut rehabs”.

Our focus is architectural heritage
Other island non-profit organizations focus on the island’s history, its flora and fauna and its open spaces, but there is no other organization whose primary concern is preservation of Nantucket’s unique historic resources. Paradoxically for a place so steeped in history, no other organization on island has such a charge, and at present no other charge is so important.

Working to prevent architectural destruction
Although preserving the texture and appearance of our historic buildings is central to Nantucket’s economic and social appeal, the affluence of the past decade has posed new threats to the very basis of that appeal. The issue of “gut rehab” threatens historic homes. Each year scores of historic buildings are altered without considering the irreplaceable architectural qualities that led to the Nantucket’s designation as a National Historic Landmark.