'Guiding LIghts Exhibition at Nantucket

The Egan Maritime Institute announces "Guiding Lights: Nantucket's Lighthouses, Keepers & their Families" May 24 - October 8, 2012 At the Nantucket Shipwreck & Lifesaving Museum

The exhibition celebrates the beacons of light and the families that guided mariners through the treacherous shoals for centuries that surround Nantucket.

Before modern technology, captains and sailors could only rely on the light from the lighthouses to guide their vessels to safety. And for centuries, the families that manned these lighthouses were just as important in guiding sailors to safety as were the lighthouses.

This year's exhibition celebrates not just the Island's historic monuments but also these early heroes. The Nantucket Shipwreck & Lifesaving Museum honors and pay tribute to these men, women, and children by sharing their stories and photographs of their daily life as well as true tales of shipwreck sights and salvage at sea. In addition, a small replica of Sankaty Light, for children to climb into, as well as other kid oriented activities will be included.

The Nantucket Shipwreck & Lifesaving Museum shares the fascinating stories of yesterday's maritime heroes through permanent and changing interpretive exhibits and special events. The Museum houses a collection of over 5,000 objects, including surfboats, beach carts, vintage photographs and more, a silver medal awarded to Marcus W. Dunham for his role in several rescues during the Great Gale of 1879; a taping of Mr. Rogers and "Madaket Millie"; an interactive shipwreck map; and a whimsical Newfoundland dog chair created by 'Sconset' artist, Clara Urbahn.

The Nantucket Shipwreck & Lifesaving Museum is located at 158 Polpis Road, just 3.5 miles from Nantucket Town.