Welcome to the Nantucket Shipwreck & Lifesaving Museum

Located next to important shipping lanes running along the East Coast when maritime travel was in its heyday, Nantucket Island saw hundreds of vessels passing by each day – all navigating without the advantages of modern technology. Treacherous shoals and inclement weather led to over 700 shipwrecks in the surrounding waters of Nantucket, causing the area to be dubbed “a graveyard of the Atlantic.” The Nantucket Shipwreck & Lifesaving Museum preserves the memory of those Islanders who risked their lives performing rescues so that others might live. These men served in organizations devoted to maritime rescue, such as the Massachusetts Humane Society, United States Life-Saving Service, and the United States Coast Guard.

Established in 1968, the museum commemorates its 40th anniversary following an extensive $3 million renovation and expansion. Come visit the Nantucket Shipwreck & Lifesaving Museum and enjoy captivating new exhibits, family-friendly programs and more designed to appeal to all ages.