“Nantucket’s Historic Landscape”
June 30 and July 4 Segment
Gardens, yards and open space are vital parts of the town and historic districts but most have changed dramatically over the years. The town’s landscape was rather barren until the mid 19th century. There were small dooryard gardens but rear yards held outhouses, carriage houses, sheds, stables and even chicken coops. These spaces were often separated by plank fences to keep animals in and to shield the yards from public view. It was not until the mid to late 19th century that flower gardens and exotic plants came into fashion—first at the homes of the wealthiest islanders and eventually at the quaint summer cottages in Sconset.