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Originally published in the Historic Nantucket, Vol 35, no. 2 (Oct. 1987), p. 12-14

Early Photography on Nantucket
By Edouard A. Stackpole

THE STORY OF NANTUCKET has been presented by writers, artists, and photographers, all of whom have found ways of interpreting the island's varied chronicle and presenting it to the public. Perhaps the least known of these individuals who have played important roles in telling this story are the photographers, whose work has done so much in recapturing the past through the magic of the camera lens. The scenes which were to them the present have become the past, and their work has preserved the visible evidences of what Nantucket looked like a century ago.

When Louis Daguerre discovered the mysterious art of recording on metal people and places in 1839, it was not long before the creation of daguerreotype reached America. The first to appear in Nantucket was a certain "Mr. Seager, an artist from England", who advertised in 1840 that he would be "at Mrs. Gary's... where he would create profile likenesses in beautiful style of bronze by a machine of unequalled accuracy in 10 minutes at $1.00 each." His advertisement disappeared and he apparently left the island.

In 1844 the first practical practitioner of daguerreotypes in The Inquirer advertised that he would be at Mrs. Barney's for the business of creating "perfect facsimiles of our physiognomies." In March, 1848 an advertisement announced that "E. Sutton, Daguerreotyping, will open a studio on the corner of Main and Centre Streets." However, the first photograph was advertised in 1845 and was announced by this gentleman or a "Mr. Humphreys", who also advertised in the newspaper at this time. This was a view of upper Main Street Square, showing the Pacific Bank and the Methodist Church. It is the earliest known photograph of an island scene.

In 1854 the first permanent resident who engaged himself in the business of "taking Daguerreotype Likenesses", William Summerhayes, opened a Furniture Store at 5 Centre Street, where he fitted up a studio on the second floor. He announced that he had on hand a "a good assortment of elegant cases of various patterns, and at low prices." Two years later an advertisement noted that Mr. Summerhayes had the "exclusive rights" of making pictures called Ambrotypes.

The word "Photography" began to appear in 1859 when Kelly & Fish began working here, and in September, 1860, a photograph in the Nantucket Mirror stated:

"Photographs: These colored photographs elaborated by Messrs. Kelly & Fish, attract much attention and are greatly admired. How far superior they are to the old caricatures produced by the strolling portrait painters, are these exquisite works of modern art!"

E.T. Kelly had been to the Island previously, returning in May, 1860, to re-open his studio, and soon after became associated with George Fish, the artist.

One of the great trio of 19th century photographers - Josiah Freeman - appears on the scene on 1864, when he came from New Bedford to open a studio with David Coffin, of Nantucket. As a young man he soon demonstrated his ability, and prospered despite the depression in the Island's economic fortunes. In 1867 the partnership was dissolved and Freeman carried on the business alone.

With the advent of the Stereoptican camera, Freeman began his great contribution to the visual history of Nantucket. His stereoscopic "cards," with their three-dimensional views of Nantucket streets, lanes, houses and people, became very popular. Along with this activity he was making many glass negatives of individual islanders, as well as family groups. For over 28 years Josiah Freeman was an active photographer, and it was not until June, 1892, that he decided to retire, selling his business to Edwin B. Robinson.

The second of the century's "big three" was Henry S. Wyer, born in Nantucket on January 21, 1847, son of Charles S. Wyer, mariner, and Mary J. Coleman. His early interest in photography was encouraged by William Summerhayes, but he apparently decided to work on the mainland, as in 1880 he had a studio in Yonkers, New York. But his interest in Nantucket, which was to guide his career, never wavered and in 1881 he began his work of photographing the streets, houses, and waterfront of his island home. This collection has since become an invaluable study of Nantucket - historically, architecturally and artistically. Henry S. Wyer was an artist and a writer, as well as photographer, as his work so often demonstrated. As one of the founders of the Nantucket Historical Association in 1894, he worked diligently for the advancement of our cultural heritage. From 1886, when he returned to the island to reside here the rest of his life until his death in 1920 at the age of 73, he was one of the important personalities in the life of the town.

His little shop on Federal Street - Wyer's Art Store - as well as his shop in 'Sconset brought him in association with artists, musicians and and writers, and his writings continued along with his excellent photography.

The third of the 19th century trio of outstanding photographers was Harry Platt, a native of Georgia, who came to Nantucket in the late 1880's. He opened a shop on Centre Street, and his photographs rivaled Wyer's in their excellent composition. He took many scenes about the town and along the wharves, and also made portraits of individuals as "tin-types." Much of his work was found in the attic of his Orange Street home upon the death of his daughter, Miss Marie Platt, and is now in the collection of an island resident.

At the turn of the new century Maurice Boyer began his work as a prominent Nantucket photographer, having obtained a studio on the second floor of a store on Main Street. He specialized in people and family views, as well as graduation and group photographs. Some of his portraits show his skillful use of background settings. Later he removed to a studio on the corner of Federal Street and Independence Lane. Boyer was the first to introduce x-ray photography at the Nantucket Cottage Hospital, and was always ready to respond to emergency calls. For over thirty years he was active in business and many a Nantucket family has a "Portrait by Boyer" in its albums.

Before World War I a young man from New York, H. Marshall Gardiner, came to Nantucket and soon married an island girl. He opened a shop on Federal Street, later removed his business to Main Street, where for two more decades "Gardiner's" was a popular gift store. As a photographer he specialized in color studies of Nantucket subjects, and, like Henry Wyer, had a variety of post cards which found a ready sale. His studio was on the second floor of his building on Main Street, now known as the Nantucket Looms. [As of 2008, this building is occupied by Ralph Lauren.]

Any study of island photographers who have contributed to the visual history of Nantucket life must include Harry B. Turner, editor of The Inquirer and Mirror for the first four decades of the 20th century. His camera captured many incidents which otherwise might not have been recorded by the written word. Not only was he an able editor, and inimitable conveyor of island personalities, but his photography revealed his awareness of the importance of the historical obtaining the scene or person on film.

It is to this group of individuals that we owe so much for making the me more significantly a part of Nantucket's future.

- Edouard A. Stackpole