I read an article recently that said experts now believe the single most important element in a child’s healthy development is the inclusion of traditions in their upbringing. The expert claims the traditions act as “emotional anchors” which keep the children grounded, comforted and offer a sense of confidence and security. I dare say we adults receive all those same benefits from traditions we count on, look forward to and return to year after year.
When you live or vacation on an island whose oldest house (Jethro Coffin House 1686) was built decades before the Declaration of Independence was signed, you can rest assured the place and the people are steeped in traditions. Nantucket prides itself in its staunch and unapologetic stance on historical preservation and conservation land protections. We cling to the simplicity and originality of what “once was” while melding it with our desire to create memories in our modern-day lifestyle on a historic island.
In our early days as summer residents on Nantucket over 32 years ago, we established our island traditions almost immediately. Our first night on the island always found us in our favorite booth at The Atlantic Café where we were “welcomed home” by John and Kate and our favorite fried zucchini (to this day there has been none to top it!). Our last breakfast at summer’s end was always at Arno’s on Main Street for one last lobster and Boursin cheese omelet.
But without question, our favorite time on island to embrace traditions (both then and now as year-round residents) is the July 4th holiday.In the “old days” (our grandkids refer to it as “the 1900’s”), we loved being on Main Street all morning on the 4th. There was a dunk tank, costumed groups serenading us with patriotic ballads and large tables filled with watermelon and pies where young and old would compete for the prized blue ribbons. Our daughter Ashlie still holds 6 of those blue ribbons, the girl could eat pie! And we didn’t just participate, we dressed for the occasion, all of us decked out head to toe in our red, white and blue.
Post Covid, the activities are more simplified but no less meaningful. As a little girl, Ashlie had an adorable “flag dress” that I kept for her over the years. This past summer, her own daughter Corie was able to wear that same dress to celebrate the holiday. As we all admired the grandparents photo taken to kick off the festivities, our daughter recognized that her dad (my apparently nostalgic husband) was wearing the exact same t-shirt he had worn in a photo taken years earlier on the same day when she was wearing the flag dress. We are serious about Nantucket family traditions and keepsakes over here, right down to our t-shirts!
What are your Nantucket traditions? Send us over your treasured stories, favorite ways to celebrate your time on island or best photos that capture your fondest memories or your commemorative (vintage?) t-shirts! We would love to share your traditions.