Home - Nantucket Historical Association (original) (raw)

Today's whaling museum schedule

*** 2024 Calendar** *** 2024 Hours and Tickets**

### Follow Us on Instagram

The person who transformed Macy’s into the first modern department store was a woman born and raised on Nantucket. As superintendent of Macy’s, Margaret Getchell was one of the first female executives in American retail, giving the store a competitive advantage in marketing to its largely female customer base. Macy’s department store, founded by Nantucket native Rowland Hussey Macy, was the first modern department store in the United States, and, at one point, the world’s largest. It was also among the first to employ a female executive, something that’s still rare in retail today. Born in Nantucket on July 16, 1841, Margaret Swain Getchell graduated from Nantucket High School at 16. She spent several years teaching on the island as well as in New York; New Jersey; and finally Virginia. She left teaching sometime in 1861 when she moved north to New York City. It is unclear if Macy was aware from the outset that Margaret Getchell was his kin —they were third cousins twice removed. Her aptitude for numbers, as a former math teacher, led to her being promoted to bookkeeper in 1862. Getchell was not content to just focus on the accounts. She regularly presented new ideas to Macy, and by 1866 had been promoted to superintendent. She is credited with many of the store’s innovations, including: Convincing Macy to use his trademark five-pointed, red star on letterhead and price tags; Adding new departments, expanding the store beyond ribbons and lace to include jewelry, home furnishings, and gifts. Developing window displays to draw in customers. Adding a trendy new soda fountain at the center of the store, where thirsty customers would have to walk past whole departments before reaching their destination. To learn more about Getchell’s legacy, visit NHA.org or the 🔗 link in comments!

The person who transformed Macy’s into the first modern department store was a woman born and raised on Nantucket. As superintendent of Macy’s, Margaret Getchell was one of the first female executives in American retail, giving the store a competitive advantage in marketing to its largely female customer base.

Macy’s department store, founded by Nantucket native Rowland Hussey Macy, was the first modern department store in the United States, and, at one point, the world’s largest. It was also among the first to employ a female executive, something that’s still rare in retail today.

Born in Nantucket on July 16, 1841, Margaret Swain Getchell graduated from Nantucket High School at 16. She spent several years teaching on the island as well as in New York; New Jersey; and finally Virginia. She left teaching sometime in 1861 when she moved north to New York City.

It is unclear if Macy was aware from the outset that Margaret Getchell was his kin —they were third cousins twice removed. Her aptitude for numbers, as a former math teacher, led to her being promoted to bookkeeper in 1862.

Getchell was not content to just focus on the accounts. She regularly presented new ideas to Macy, and by 1866 had been promoted to superintendent. She is credited with many of the store’s innovations, including:

Convincing Macy to use his trademark five-pointed, red star on letterhead and price tags;

Adding new departments, expanding the store beyond ribbons and lace to include jewelry, home furnishings, and gifts.

Developing window displays to draw in customers.

Adding a trendy new soda fountain at the center of the store, where thirsty customers would have to walk past whole departments before reaching their destination.

To learn more about Getchell’s legacy, visit NHA.org or the 🔗 link in comments!

...

Did you know you can create Nantucket’s decorative arts from anywhere in the world? 🌍 Our new online workshops have allowed us to reach a global audience. Your support helps us offer these unique programs—consider donating today! Visit the 🔗 in our bio to give or: https://nha.org/join-give/giving/give-to-the-nha/ #DecorativeArts #SupportNHA #nantucket #nantuckethistoricalassociation #ack #ackhistory

Did you know you can create Nantucket’s decorative arts from anywhere in the world? 🌍 Our new online workshops have allowed us to reach a global audience. Your support helps us offer these unique programs—consider donating today!

Visit the 🔗 in our bio to give or: https://nha.org/join-give/giving/give-to-the-nha/

#DecorativeArts #SupportNHA #nantucket #nantuckethistoricalassociation #ack #ackhistory

...

NOW AVAILABLE on our YouTube channel! Saving Tony Sarg: A Collection, Exhibition, and Artist’s Enduring Legacy with Stephanie Plunkett. Exploring how it takes a village and a plethora of resources to preserve and share history and the legacy of artistic production—activities that are at the heart of every museum’s mission! Stephanie Haboush Plunkett is the Chief Curator and Rockwell Center Director of the Norman Rockwell Museum, and the curator of many exhibitions relating to the art of illustration, including Tony Sarg: Genius at Play. Link 🔗 to view below and in our bio! https://youtu.be/ZJQ0ZTP65ME?si=AdGOKD3OMa2n8lcP #nantucket #ackhistory #nantucketisland #nantuckethistoricalassociation #nantuckethistory #tonysarg #museum #museums #exhibit #exhibitions #museumexhibition #normanrockwellmuseum

NOW AVAILABLE on our YouTube channel!

Saving Tony Sarg: A Collection, Exhibition, and Artist’s Enduring Legacy with Stephanie Plunkett.

Exploring how it takes a village and a plethora of resources to preserve and share history and the legacy of artistic production—activities that are at the heart of every museum’s mission!

Stephanie Haboush Plunkett is the Chief Curator and Rockwell Center Director of the Norman Rockwell Museum, and the curator of many exhibitions relating to the art of illustration, including Tony Sarg: Genius at Play.

Link 🔗 to view below and in our bio! https://youtu.be/ZJQ0ZTP65ME?si=AdGOKD3OMa2n8lcP

#nantucket #ackhistory #nantucketisland #nantuckethistoricalassociation #nantuckethistory #tonysarg #museum #museums #exhibit #exhibitions #museumexhibition #normanrockwellmuseum

...

We’ve been working hard to enhance our properties and collections, ensuring Nantucket’s history remains vibrant. 🏡 Your contribution to the annual fund helps preserve these treasures. Make your donation today! Visit the 🔗 in our bio to give or: https://nha.org/join-give/giving/give-to-the-nha/ #HistoricalPreservation #NantucketHeritage #SupportNHA #nantucket #nantucketisland #ack #ackhistory

We’ve been working hard to enhance our properties and collections, ensuring Nantucket’s history remains vibrant. 🏡

Your contribution to the annual fund helps preserve these treasures. Make your donation today!

Visit the 🔗 in our bio to give or: https://nha.org/join-give/giving/give-to-the-nha/

#HistoricalPreservation #NantucketHeritage #SupportNHA #nantucket #nantucketisland #ack #ackhistory

...

Today we honor our Veterans Pictured here are three Nantucket Civil War veterans, from left to right: Franklin Murphey, James H. Barrett, and James H. Wood, circa 1930s. Photo: P1587

Today we honor our Veterans

Pictured here are three Nantucket Civil War veterans, from left to right: Franklin Murphey, James H. Barrett, and James H. Wood, circa 1930s.

Photo: P1587

...

5th Graders from Nantucket Intermediate School had an amazing time stepping back in time on their Colonial Living field trip! 🐐 They toured the Oldest House, made herb sachets in a historic garden, learned colonial washing techniques, and spent time with goats while learning about livestock. Such a fun way to connect with history, hands-on!

5th Graders from Nantucket Intermediate School had an amazing time stepping back in time on their Colonial Living field trip! 🐐 They toured the Oldest House, made herb sachets in a historic garden, learned colonial washing techniques, and spent time with goats while learning about livestock. Such a fun way to connect with history, hands-on! ...

*** Historic Nantucket** *** NHA Video Gallery**

Your gift to the NHA keeps Nantucket history alive.

The NHA preserves, interprets, and shares the diverse stories of Nantucket with all audiences through its collections, properties, programs, and research.