Sconset and Beyond/Sara

'Sconset is the historic, Eastern end of the Island of Nantucket, Massachusetts.  It has been a haven for whaling captains, artists, summer residents and year rounders for centuries.  Many of the original homes have been preserved and appear as they did in the 1700’s.  The tiny streets.  The beautiful views of the ocean.  The lighthouse.  These are the heart and soul of 'Sconset. 

More than forty years ago, I fell in love with the Island of Nantucket.  

Over the years, I became a 'Sconset resident, and grew to love the daily pilgrimage in and out of the Village (to check the mail, get a sandwich at Claudette’s or a loaf of bread at the Market, or enjoy dinner at Chanticleer or the Café). I embraced wholeheartedly the idea that I could send my young sons on an errand on their bikes. I was fascinated by the many quirky tiny old houses (and bigger ones too), the houses and buildings that have been around for hundreds of years, with almost no change in appearance.  As a college history major, with an affinity for architecture, there was so much to love and to learn about 'Sconset.

And of course, there is the natural beauty.  The ocean and dunes, the roses and hydrangeas (and other flowers), all of that beauty everywhere you look.  The sky.  The everchanging and stunning sky.  Morning, noon and night.  Winter, spring, summer and fall.

In 2020, when the pandemic arrived, my husband and I (and then some of the kids) huddled in 'Sconset through that winter, spring and summer, wondering what to do when we weren’t working/attending college from home.  We went for long walks.  We explored Instagram, to see the kids who weren’t in 'Sconset.  I rediscovered my love of photography. 

And @sconsetandbeyond (on Instagram) was born. More than three years, and thousands of followers later, now comes sconsetandbeyond.com.

Sconset and Beyond is another way for me to celebrate and share what makes 'Sconset, this tiny village thirty miles out to sea, so special.  I truly love capturing the 'Sconset that I see, through photographs and videos, and seeing that 'Sconset still looks remarkably like it has since the 1700’s.  Fishing shacks with grey shingles, rose-covered cottages, stunning beaches with beautiful sunrises, sunsets and harvest moons. 

And fog.  Fog happens.  Often.

Living thirty miles out to sea is a lifestyle choice – there is no way on or off the island each night and often in storms.  Choosing to live in 'Sconset feels even more remote.  Being eight miles from the heart of the town of Nantucket, with a small year-round population – it feels far away, in the best possible way.

Even the weather is different in 'Sconset.  More fog, maybe more wind, and usually a few degrees warmer.  It has its own phone exchange (257) and zip code (02564), too. 

Decades ago, I recognized that my husband had a deep, nostalgic soft spot for 'Sconset.  And I truly understand why.  Now I teach him the names of the streets and houses that he somehow never learned as a child, as the Nantucket native who grew up biking and wandering around 'Sconset as a young boy, to get an ice cream cone or newspaper or sandwich when his parents sent him to check the mail. 

So, here’s to 'Sconset, Nantucket and beyond.  To all that makes 'Sconset beautiful and unique  – and to enjoying it in a way that helps preserve all that is special about it.

Thanks for reading.  And don’t hesitate to send me a note if you have any questions or suggestions.

- Sara   

"Sara is so talented, capturing 'Sconset and the island. Her Sconset and Beyond Instagram account is one of my favorites."  - Betsy G.