The Nantucket Gam

Hear Ye, Hear Ye! Episode 4 of Season 2 of The Nantucket Gam proclaims the tales of Nantucket's gregarious town criers. Before the popularization of the newspaper, radio, or television, the citizens of Nantucket would rely on loud men, loud men with bells and horns, to broadcast the comings and goings of the island. They would become icons of the island community, known far and wide for their skill and devotion to yelling the news. Join the Gam team to learn all about the tradition of town criers, the evolution of their art, and the modern interpretation of the practice. Do you think you'd have what it takes to be the voice of the island? Plus, stay tuned for an interview with Nantucket's current town crier, Eric Goddard.

Season 2, Episode 3 of The Nantucket Gam is all about bikes, bikes, bikes! Bicycle and history enthusiasts rejoice - Thomas's research this month uncovers everything you wanted to know and more about your favorite way to get around the island. We discuss it all - from the first bikes on Nantucket, to the biking craze that swept the island, and how bicycles deep influence on island culture and transportation is still alive today. Whether you're a leisurely biker or a high-speed scorcher, we're sure you'll love the history we're peddling. Plus, an interview with Harvey and Jasper Young from the famous Young's Bicycle Shop!

Season 2, Episode 2 of 'The Nantucket Gam' weaves the tale of the Nantucket School of Needlery, which opened in the 1960s and played an important role in the revival of handcrafts on Nantucket Island well into the 1970s. Join Thomas, Annalie and Adam as they stich together the story of one of the island's lesser known histories; one which explores the incredible creativity and skill of Nantucket's artist community. We are joined by special guest Dr. Isabella Rosner, Curator of Textiles at the United Kingdom's Royal School of Needlework (and host of the podcast 'Sew What?'), who's deep knowledge of and infectious enthusiasm for historic needlework ties Nantucket's history to contemporary research and the NHA's 2025 exhibition of textiles!

Our first episode of Season 2, "Scrimshaw" examines the folk art of carving whale teeth and bone. A unique and remarkable art form, Scrimshaw is deeply associated with the historic whaling industry, and therefore, associated with Nantucket. Born from the boredom of whalers, and created for personal or familial use, scrimshaw has since become highly desirable to collectors and enthusiasts alike. We are joined by our guest Lee Ann Papale, a Nantucket native scrimshaw artist who creates contemporary pieces from her studio on the island. Welcome to Season 2!

In our Season 1 final episode, Episode 9 of 'The Nantucket Gam', we tell the story of Nantucket's sperm whale stranding and death in 1998. A timely episode - released only weeks after another major sperm whale stranding in November, 2025, we explore the timeline of the 1998 stranding and the process in which the skeleton was saved to be displayed for all to visit in the Nantucket Historical Association's Whaling Museum. Our guests this month are Jeremy Slavitz, who is the NHA's Exhibitions Manager, and Niles Parker, our Gosnell Executive Director. Both share their own experiences in how the NHA's whale skeleton made its way from the sea to the ceiling in the museum!