Each year people from off-island, yielding to the lure of Nantucket, buy old houses, or occasionally build new ones, for seasonal occupancy. For many such the season is lengthening year by year. The spring and fall are glorious in this island climate. The diversions and occupations many and amply absorbing. Such people almost invariably want an “old” house. From an investment viewpoint alone an old or old-style house sells or rents much more readily and for higher prices than a modern-type structure. Many prospective customers will not look at the latter. There is a surprisingly large number of competent local carpenter-builders, masons, painters, plumbers and electricians resident on the Island. They can undertake and properly execute practically any work that is likely to be specified. Many of them are glad to assist in carrying out the old Nantucket traditions, but there have been some who frankly had no love for the old; building a house for themselves they would abandon every old feature; there have been a few with very unique ideas of what they call “antique;” so it is essential that strict care be exercised in making additions or building new structures to see that the right designs and details are both adopted and executed. How can this much desired end be accomplished? It has been suggested that an illustrated book with simple analysis and exposition of this subject would help. This book is an endeavor to be of such assistance. ANALYSIS We herein concern ourselves only with the visible exteriors of dwelling houses as viewed from the street. The interiors of the houses and their furnishings are not treated; nor shops nor public buildings. It will be apparent also that this is not written for the architects, particularly those experienced in Nantucket traditions (there are such). We will not make the customary historical approach to our subject. It would over-emphasize what is not the primary purpose. Thus we are not concerned with the following: The temporary shelters built at Madaket about 1659. The houses of the very first town. These were located at and in the vicinity of Capaum Harbour (now Pond) and Hummock Pond, on the north shore about one and a half miles from the present town. Only one, a lean-to type, remains. Such of these houses or portions thereof which were taken down and removed to what is now the town of Nantucket. The oldest remaining house, a lean-to dated 1686. The one brick of the last quarter of the 18th century on Orange Street. The seven brick houses of the second quarter of the 19th century with parapet brick end gables (six on Main Street and one on Pleasant Street). Also a number of large houses or mansions of about the same period built of wood. The two of temple columned type on Main Street. The one classical type on Orange Street. These houses are the frosting on the cake but they are not the cake.