"95% Perfect": The older residences at Nantucket

This phrase was used by a writer several decades ago to describe the dwelling house architecture of the old town of Nantucket, and since then has been generally accepted. It symbolizes the state of mind of most people who come to this remote island town, traverse its streets and view its houses. They all sense that there is something in the mass or total of dwelling houses that is different from what they are accustomed to elsewhere. The effect is pervading, pleasing and peaceful. It causes them to picture a town of years ago remaining unchanged by the march of time.

Many of us instinctively realize in part the causes of this strong and lasting impression.

First--The dwellings are mostly located close to the street, often directly on the edge of the sidewalk. They are not set back with yards or lawns in front.

Second--The breadth of the house usually occupies much of the lot so that adjacent houses are but a few feet, often a few inches, apart. The gardens, as well as the flapping clothes lines, the additions and the extensions, are at the rear; usually out of sight from the street. These rear (and side) ells and projections are a general characteristic of the old houses. Similar new additions if done in the proper way, with gable roofs or lean-to roofs, can be most pleasing.

Third--Uniformity in architectural type, style, material and colors, within a limited range, is quite general and more responsible than any other single feature for the exceptional and unique ensemble. Elsewhere, in the off-islander’s hometown, each block or section is apt to have a medley of types, perhaps in close proximity--as an original colonial house and in succession a bungalow, a mid-Victorian and then a Georgian mansion, a gingerbread pattern house of the 1880 period, followed by a woman’s magazine suburban type, and perhaps many others. Each may be very good of its kind and suit the taste of its owner and belong in certain places. But the appeal at Nantucket is in not having enough of these varying styles to spoil the picture; hardly enough to mar it, in the old part of the town.