Maria Mitchell Association, an Update on The Good Neighbor Agreement

October 17, 2024

NANTUCKET, MA – The Nantucket Maria Mitchell Association (MMA) would like to update you on our position regarding the Good Neighbor Agreement. Based on Vineyard Wind’s failure to meet its obligations under the Good Neighbor Agreement, the Maria Mitchell Association has decided to exit the Agreement. We recently sent a letter to Vineyard Wind, the Town of Nantucket, and Nantucket Preservation Trust informing them of our decision.


This decision was not made lightly. For the past several years, as more information became available regarding additional wind turbine projects, the aggregate impact of the lighting from each turbine, and the recent blade failure, it became increasingly clear to us that the impact on our night skies and our island community was not something we could support. The consideration that we received as part of the agreement was intended to mitigate the effects of the wind farm development to our organization and its members, and we were required to participate as part of the Federal Chapter 106 process that affords protections to Nantucket Island because it is on the National Register of Historic Landmarks. The impact of approximately 1300 windmills with marine navigation lights and aircraft warning lights would alter permanently the viewshed of Nantucket; with over 4000 visitors a year to the Loines Observatory and a National Science Foundation funded Research Experiences for Undergraduates program that funds astronomical research projects each year, those lights would have a detrimental effect on our work.


Our decision to exit the agreement is based on Vineyard Wind's actions and our commitment to protect the night skies, those that Maria Mitchell used to chart Venus and discover her comet and have allowed our astronomers to research the cosmos since 1902. We will continue to monitor future projects and if necessary, file comments during the environmental impact periods for stakeholder review, which is part of the Federal Bureau of Ocean Energy Management permitting process.

The MMA incurred significant legal fees in our efforts to resolve this issue, your support is greatly appreciated: https://112458a.blackbaudhosting.com/112458a/AnnualUnsolicited


The Maria Mitchell Association was founded in 1902 to preserve the legacy of Nantucket native astronomer, naturalist, librarian, and educator, Maria Mitchell. After she discovered a comet in 1847, Mitchell’s international fame led to many achievements and awards, including an appointment as the first female professor of astronomy at Vassar College. Maria Mitchell believed in “learning by doing” and today that philosophy is reflected in the MMA’s mission statement, programs, research projects, and other activities. The Maria Mitchell Association operates two observatories, a natural science museum, an aquarium, a research center, and preserves the historic birthplace of Maria Mitchell. A wide variety of science and history-related programming is offered throughout the year for people of all ages.

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For Immediate Release

October 17, 2024

Contact: Joanna Roche

jroche@mariamitchell.org

Recent Posts

Maria Mitchell In Her Own Words

By Jascin N. Leonardo Finger • April 13, 2026
April 1878. The conference of Woman’s Congress officers met in Washington. Because we had one member in Washington we were invited to meet in that place. I went on at a great expense of time, money and strength . . . . We were in session at least nine hours. I think that more than half of that was used by Mrs. Spencer and Mrs. Sayles. The only motion which I carried through was to pay the Secretary $200 . . . In 1878, that was a long train(s) ride to Washington, DC from Poughkeepsie, NY and Vassar College. If Maria seems perturbed, I am sure she was. As president of the Association for the Advancement of Women, and thus the Congress, she had to be at the meeting. But it appears she did not get much say in the nine hour meeting. This was also a long trip to take when she had another, even longer trip coming up in July of 1878. In that month, she would travel with students and her sister, Phebe, out west to Colorado to view the eclipse and that train and wagon ride I am sure was weighing on her mind – not just the physical trip but making her way for an important eclipse viewing event. JNLF

Raise The Roof!

By Jascin N. Leonardo Finger • April 6, 2026
Well, actually replace the roof! With funding from the Community Preservation Act and the work of Lydon and Sons, Inc. the Mitchell House is getting a new roof. The current one had come to the end of its useful life. A cedar roof can last a long time – longer than asphalt – and is more historically accurate. The roof we are removing was installed in about 1992 – replacing a roof from the 1930s that was not cedar but a combination of materials that actually yes, did last sixty years. The unfortunate issue has arisen that the roofwalk (walk) has to be replaced. This is NOT the original walk – nor that old of a walk. It’s likely from the 1970s or so and has been cobbled at over time. It’s not a functioning walk – no one is allowed on it – but the Mitchell House needs it none the less. Maria Mitchell and her father, William, likely used the walk for astronomical observations – in addition to the yard – but the walk is also protected as part of the preservation easement on the House. Walks – NOT and NEVER called widow’s walks – were used for preventing and putting out chimney fire and roof fires. In a place where wood was expensive and had to be brought from “the main” these were purely utilitarian. What good Quaker (or non-Quaker) would build a platform for his wife to stare out to the harbor to see if her husband was on his way home? The other issue is that the walk was completely resting on the ridge board – and actually was notched to accept the pitch and tip of the ridge board so they couldn’t work around it. I suspect this may have been the ways walks were once built – and also a crafty and smart thinking carpenter who came up with the idea. It makes the walk lower. But between that issue and the age of the walk and then the blizzard of February 2026 that packed gusts over 83 MPH (that’s Category 1 hurricane winds) the walk gave in. Balusters had been knocked out and the railings were loose and pulling away from the posts. So, we will also be working with Barber and Sons to create a new roofwalk – and they agreed to do this for us quickly which is also no small feat given how busy everyone is these days. So from the bottom of the Mitchell House’s heart (and mine) a big thank you to Chris Lydon and Lydon and Sons and crew, Barber and Sons / Beau and Nate Barber, the Community Preservation Committee, and Nantucket Preservation Trust (our easement holder)! JNLF

Keep Calm and Bird On: April 2026

April 1, 2026
“If you don’t look, you don’t see. You have to go and look.” -Edith Andrews
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