DOING OVER OLD HOUSES

Each year people from off-island, yielding to the lure of Nantucket, buy old houses, or occasionally build new ones, for seasonal occupancy. For many such the season is lengthening year by year. The spring and fall are glorious in this island climate. The diversions and occupations many and amply absorbing.

Such people almost invariably want an “old” house. From an investment viewpoint alone an old or old-style house sells or rents much more readily and for higher prices than a modern-type structure. Many prospective customers will not look at the latter.

There is a surprisingly large number of competent local carpenter-builders, masons, painters, plumbers and electricians resident on the Island. They can undertake and properly execute practically any work that is likely to be specified. Many of them are glad to assist in carrying out the old Nantucket traditions, but there have been some who frankly had no love for the old; building a house for themselves they would abandon every old feature; there have been a few with very unique ideas of what they call “antique;” so it is essential that strict care be exercised in making additions or building new structures to see that the right designs and details are both adopted and executed.

How can this much desired end be accomplished? It has been suggested that an illustrated book with simple analysis and exposition of this subject would help. This book is an endeavor to be of such assistance.