By When two sisters from Philadelphia followed a herd of cattle up Nantucket’s Main Street in 1929, their discovery would impact generations to come. Gertrude and Hanna Monaghan fell in love with an 18th century pig barn spotted during that fateful walk and transformed it into an art studio and summer home. They named it and today visitors can tour the rooms full of eclectic belongings, spend time in the lush garden, and join art workshops.
The property opened for the season on June 12 and there is no admission fee. “It’s two real women with a vision and they make that vision happen and we’re still able to benefit from it,” said Michael Harrison, chief curator and research chair for the Nantucket Historical Association, which has owned and maintained the building since 1972. Nantucket, located 30 miles off the south coast of Cape Cod, is known today for its beautiful beaches, quaint shops, and seaside restaurants.
But it’s art that drew the Monaghan sisters, the children of Quakers, to the island nearly 100 years ago. Gertrude was an acclaimed artist in Philadelphia and Hanna was an actress and writer. When a friend invited them to the island in 1923, they were smitten.
They became members of the and lived in studio apartments for several summers before they bought the 1790 barn from the grocer. Greater Light would become their summer home for the next 40 years. Gertrude passed away in 1962 at age 75 and Hanna passed away in 1972 at age 83.
Hanna Monaghan’s book.
