Maria Mitchell Association Welcomes Morgan Raith as Featured October Science Speaker

October 16, 2024

NANTUCKET, MA – The Nantucket Maria Mitchell Association (MMA) announces that it will host Morgan Raith, as a featured presenter for its October Science Speaker Series. Her presentation will take place on Wednesday, October 23 at 7pm via Zoom. This event is free to all.


“Visual Design for Natural Science” Join MMA enthusiast, Morgan Raith, as she shares an overview of her design background, creative process, and details of her island-centered interpretive and educational projects. Having grown up on Nantucket, Morgan appreciates the role that design and storytelling play in sharing the island's rich history and natural wonders. She is excited to share her unique approach to visual communications and problem solving. As an artist, designer, and creative strategist specializing in science communication, Morgan provides creative direction for clients in marine technology, natural science, education, and conservation. She works closely with scientists, engineers, teachers, and cultural experts to transform complex information into accessible visual content for various audiences and settings. Her portfolio includes self-guided tours, interpretive signage, scientific illustration, visual guides, digital storytelling, and exhibit design.


Join us on Zoom for this Science Speaker Series Talk. Registration is required for Zoom. To register for Zoom, use the registration link below: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_waFNlK7ESFSzy5-pW74HdA#/registration


This series is generously sponsored by our lead sponsor, Bank of America. 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 16, 2024

Contact: Jónelle Gurley

jgurley@mariamitchell.org

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I’m sure you’ve seen it as you trek about the island – near the beaches and ponds. This image is of the swamp or marsh mallow that we have on Vestal Street in our garden out front of the Observatory. It can grow in drier places – though it’s not as lush as at Capaum Pond or out in Quaise. It’s in the Hibiscus family – and is fairly tropical looking and always a delight to see.  “When in bloom, one of the most showy plants of the Island, for a mass of the magnificent, large flowers on the edge of a blue pond causes one’s heart to thrill at the wealth of deep pink colour . . .” from Nantucket Wild Flowers, Alice O. Albertson (cousin of Maria Mitchell), 1921. JNLF
By Jascin N. Leonardo Finger August 24, 2026
I have always wanted to find a piece of a clay pipe. I know – weird – but if you have ever read any of my blogs here for the MMA then you know I have a thing for pottery shards. I sort of figured I would not find a piece of a clay pipe – not even a piece of a stem. But the other day, walking in a place where I have found quite a few shards, I found a piece of clay pipe! Now, I’m not talking about water pipes – I am talking about tobacco pipes. And I know very little about clay pipes. Yes, I am a curator of a historic house museum, but this family did not smoke. They were Quaker and among the many things they abstained from, tobacco was one of them. Therefore, I am not up on clay pipes so I am doing a bit more research.  For one, age can be determined by the width of the hole inside the pipe. So based on this one, I would say it’s fairly late. Since they were so fragile, and those holes pretty small, if it got filled with tobacco, the person just broke off the stem creating a shorter pipe and one that was not clogged with tobacco. Apparently, stems could be recycled – in fact, 15,000 broken stem pieces were uncovered at a historic walkway at Colonial Williamsburg – they were used as fill! And pipes were made into the early twentieth century – falling out of favor around World War One. It makes sense – they were cheap, easy to make, and affordable. Typically, one could last a few years – unless you dropped it of course. An,d pipes were used by men, women, and (eh, em) yes, children. I can see that Nantucket may not have had a lot of tobacco smoking residents – not just that some were Quaker – but because of the Quaker influence. I t does not mean people here do not smoke – I just think there may have been fewer smokers on the island in the nineteenth century and earlier. JNLF
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