Swain-Mitchell House, 1 Vestal Street, Nantucket, Nantucket County, MA

Significance: Excellent example of the typical Nantucket house that is apparently indigenous to Nantucket and was built between c. 1770 and c. 1830, characterized by a lack of symmetry, four bays, off-center doorway and chimney, variance in window widths, and is the predominant domestic building type in Nantucket town. The Swain-Mitchell House was erected in 1790 by Hezekiah Swain. In 1818 it was acquired by Wm. Mitchell. His daughter, Maria, the astronomer, was born in the house later in the same year. About 1850 the house passed into the hands of William's younger brother, Peleg, from whose heirs it was acquired by the newly-formed Maria Mitchell Association in 1902. The house was enlarged by the addition of a new kitchen in 1825; the summer kitchen c. 1850; the observatory, 1908; the study, 1922; and staff quarters, 1933.
Unprocessed Field note material exists for this structure: FN-218
Survey number: HABS MA-901
Building/structure dates: 1790 Initial Construction