Nantucket Atheneum Podcast

In our fourth episode on the Tiffany Paradox, Jim and Janet invite  Mary Bergman back to ask her about the mysterious Lost Mid Century on Nantucket. We asked her what her favorite structures that are still standing and which structure she would wish away. And...What happened to the "geo" domes?  This has been a production of the Nantucket Atheneum. It was hosted by Janet Forest. It was c...

In this episode, Jim and Janet speak to Mary Bergman about the messy and complex business of preservation. Our conversation takes several twists and turns, but you’ll see the Tiffany Paradox popping up all over the place. TRIGGER WARNING: We talk about stop lights... This has been a production of the Nantucket Atheneum. It was hosted by Janet Forest. It was co-hosted and researched by Jim Borzille...

In this episode, Jim and Janet look for the Tiffany Effect in the 1920's restoration of the Jethro Coffin House, better known as "The Oldest House." We learn a little bit about Peter Coffin, who originally built the house and then invite two guests from the Nantucket Historical Association to discuss its meticulous and complicated restoration. CLICK HERE to watch this episode on our...

In this first episode of the Tiffany Effect, Jim explains what the Tiffany Effect is and then Janet and Jim invite Nantucket High Alum and Start Up Founder Fernando Young to join them to discuss how Silicon Valley's economic structure is quite similar to how whaling functions in the 19th century. Though the two industries are nearly two centuries apart, they both rely on the "Long Tail&q...

In medieval times, Tiffany was a common woman’s name. It comes from the Italian word for Epiphany. But today, it is more likely to be associated with the 1980s or the jewelry store, so the name pulls the reader out of the story. This predicament of removing historically accurate details to seem more historically accurate was coined the Tiffany Paradox  or the  Tiffany Effect.  In this season of th...

Janet speaks with Head of Adult Programs Sammy Aguiar and Young Adult Librarian Sierra Hurd about the escape room they designed and installed this past spring called "The Wreck of the Essex." They are bringing it back for one night only on Thursday, July 17. CLICK HERE to sign up for a time slot. This is a production of the Nantucket Atheneum. It is written, edited and hosted by Janet Fo...

Janet speaks with Adult Collections Manager Pamela McGrady and Reference Library Associate Jim Borzilleri about why the Atheneum no longer accepts book donations. This is a production of the Nantucket Atheneum. It is written, edited and hosted by Janet Forest. Thanks to Pamela McGrady and Jim Borzilleri for their time. Special thanks to Shire Video for production support.

In this final bonus episode of Season 6, we invite back on Jascin Leonardo Finger from the Maria Mitchell Association to discuss what role Florence Easton Conable played in the the founding of the organization and the greater influence she and her contemporaries had on women's rights at-large. This is a production of the Nantucket Atheneum. It is hosted and edited by Janet Forest. It was rese...

In this second episode about Florence Easton Conable, Jim and Janet speak with Vassar’s Head of Special Collections and College Historian Ronald Patkus about what the emerging women's college was like when Florence arrived on campus. This is a production of the Nantucket Atheneum. It is hosted and edited by Janet Forest. It was researched, fact checked and co-hosted by Reference Library Assoc...

Jim and Janet are back with three bonus episodes about Florence Easton Conable, who gets just a small mention on one episode, but who helps tie the whole series together. She has personal connections to our three Nantucket Sea Captains, was a classmate of the Samurai Daughters and friends with Maria Mitchell. In this first episode we give an overview of her life.  This is a production of the Nantu...

The 23rd Annual Thanksgiving Cold Turkey Plunge to benefit the Weezie Library for Children is just around the corner. In this three-part special special edition of the podcast, Janet talks with the development team to find what it takes to pull off this event year after year. If you want to get involved in this year's Plunge, visit our website at https://nantucketatheneum.org/turkey-plunge-20...

The 23rd Annual Thanksgiving Cold Turkey Plunge to benefit the Weezie Library for Children is just around the corner. In this three-part special special edition of the podcast, Janet talks with the development team to find what it takes to pull off this event year after year. If you want to get involved in this year's Plunge, visit our website at https://nantucketatheneum.org/turkey-plunge-20...

The 23rd Annual Cold Turkey Plunge to benefit the Weezie Library for Children is just around the corner. In this three-part special special edition of the podcast, Janet talks with the development team to find what it takes to pull off this event year after year. If you want to get involved in this year's Plunge, visit our website at https://nantucketatheneum.org/turkey-plunge-2024/ If you ha...

Jim and Janet are back with a bonus episode about Lafcadio Hearn, a curious character that was among the Americans who became enamored with Japanese culture. He is a man of many worlds and many cultures, who found his true identity in Japan. This is a production of the Nantucket Atheneum. It is hosted and edited by Janet Forest. It was researched, fact checked and co-hosted by Reference Library As...

In this final episode of season 6, Jim and I invite our colleague James Grieder to join us to discuss The Great Wave by Christopher Banfey. James has personal connection to one of the characters featured in Banfey's book. This is the last episode in this season, but be sure to click that subscribe button, os you don't miss any bonus episodes and future seasons! This is a production of th...

In this final episode of season 6, Jim and I invite our colleague James Grieder to join us to discuss The Great Wave by Christopher Banfey. James has personal connection to one of the characters featured in Banfey's book. This is the last episode in this season, but be sure to click that subscribe button, os you don't miss any bonus episodes and future seasons! This is a production of th...

This week we discuss another book that added context and a new perspective to our story of Nantucket expats in Japan was Daughter's of the Samurai by Janice Nimura. This is a production of the Nantucket Atheneum. It is hosted and edited by Janet Forest. It was researched, fact checked and co-hosted by Reference Library Associate Jim Borzilleri. Special thanks to the Berkshire Athenaeum for us...

Jim spent more than a year researching the Nantucket diaspora in Japan, so a lot was left on the cutting room floor. There were a few books that we couldn’t quite fit into the main story line that we’re going the discuss in a bit more detail. First up, Hen Frigates by Joan Druett. This is a production of the Nantucket Atheneum. It is hosted and edited by Janet Forest. It was researched, fact check...

In this episode, Jim introduces you to our final sea captains that was born in Nantucket, but became part of the Japanese expat community: Captain Richard Swain.   This is a production of the Nantucket Atheneum. It is hosted and edited by Janet Forest. It was researched, fact checked and co-hosted by Reference Library Associate Jim Borzilleri. Special thanks to the Berkshire Athenaeum for use of t...

In this episode, Jim introduces you to another sea captains that was born in Nantucket, but became part of the Japanese expat community: Captain Arthur Fisher.   This is a production of the Nantucket Atheneum. It is hosted and edited by Janet Forest. It was researched, fact checked and co-hosted by Reference Library Associate Jim Borzilleri. Special thanks to the Berkshire Athenaeum for use of the...

Now it is time to meet some of these sea captains that were born in Nantucket, but became part of the Japanese expat community. This episode discusses Captain Peter Hussey.   This is a production of the Nantucket Atheneum. It is hosted and edited by Janet Forest. It was researched, fact checked and co-hosted by Reference Library Associate Jim Borzilleri. Special thanks to the Berkshire Athenaeum f...

When we left off, the samurai class was on the brink of revolt because they were tired of being bureaucrats and westerners were circling the shores of Japan itching to get in. It’s 1853 and the situation has reached a boiling point.   This is a production of the Nantucket Atheneum. It is hosted and edited by Janet Forest. It was researched, fact checked and co-hosted by Reference Library Associate...

After the collapse of whaling and the discovery of gold in California, Nantucket mariners fled the island for their next opportunity. Many would eventually end up in Japan. In this episode, we find out what was going on in Japan prior to the arrival of islanders. This is a production of the Nantucket Atheneum. It is hosted and edited by Janet Forest. It was researched, fact checked and co-hosted b...

In Season Six of the Nantucket Atheneum Podcast, Janet and Jim are back to trace the travels of islanders that made their way around the world to Japan in the 19th century. In this first episode, we try to answer the question "What happened after Nantucket?" This is a production of the Nantucket Atheneum. It is hosted and edited by Janet Forest. It was researched, fact checked and co-hos...

“How Much Can You Change What You Are, To Preserve What You Have Been?” Sit back, open your mind, and get ready for ... Japan-Nantucket (Rashomon) In this season of the podcast, we will explore one aspect of the “Nantucket diaspora” by tracing three journeys: Islanders who built careers commanding Japanese-owned steamships and resided in Japan for decades. While they tried to maintain their former...