Shipwreck & Lifesaving Museum

The Nantucket Shipwreck & Lifesaving Museum, an affiliate of Egan Maritime Institute, is dedicated to honoring Nantucket's history of shipwrecks, lifesaving, and rescuers. The museum is located at the edge of Folger’s Marsh, and the grounds are open year-round. The public is welcome to visit one of the most scenic sites on the Island for the view, enjoy a picnic, or watch the wide variety of birds interacting on the marsh.

This summer, we are proud to unveil two new exhibits. The Monaghan Gallery will showcase The US Coast Guard and Its Nantucket Missions of Rescue, Environmental Protection, and Maritime Law Enforcement. The newly renovated boathouse will feature a new exhibit: Risk, Rescue, & Recognition: Nantucket's Heroes of the Sea. This redesign is part of our larger goal of updating the visitor experience at the museum. The museum team, plus two incredible museum exhibit designers, have been hard at work renovating the space while maintaining the museum's character. These new exhibits will be a must-see for everyone this summer.

The Shipwreck & Lifesaving Museum is closed for the 2024 Season.

We are happy to accommodate private or drop-in tours from October to December. Please call 508-228-1885 or email musuem@eganmaritime.org to arrange a time to visit.

158 Polpis Road
Nantucket, MA 02554

In the 19th Century, hundreds of ships passed by Nantucket Island each day, all navigating without the benefit of modern nautical technology. As a result, unpredictable storms, dense fog, and strong currents often caught even the most experienced sailors off guard. In addition, treacherous shoals and inclement weather led to over 750 shipwrecks in the island's waters. As a result, the area was often called "a graveyard of the Atlantic."

Founded in 1968 as the first museum in America devoted to honoring volunteer and professional lifesavers, The Shipwreck & Lifesaving Museum preserves the memory of Islanders. They risked their lives to save mariners from the perils of the sea. Their inspiring stories come from men and women of the Massachusetts Humane Society, US Life-Saving Service, and the United States Coast Guard.

Although the collection greatly expanded over the years, founder Robert Caldwell, a US Coast Guard veteran of World War II, donated land and his private accumulation of lifesaving equipment to establish the museum.

"This museum could not be better" —TripAdvisor Review

The Nantucket Shipwreck & Lifesaving Museum's permanent collection is due largely to the vision of Robert Caldwell, who returned home to Nantucket after serving aboard the United States Coast Guard Cutter Spencer during World War II. Deeply affected by his personal experience and intrigued by stories of the Coast Guard and its roots, Caldwell began collecting objects related to Nantucket's history of shipwrecks, lifesaving, and rescuers. In 1967 he donated his collection and a piece of his property for what was to become the Nantucket Shipwreck & Lifesaving Museum.

"A rare gem of a museum." —TripAdvisor Review

Remarkable events begin with unforgettable venues.

Remarkable events begin with unforgettable venues.

Call (508) 228-2505 or email egan@eganmaritime.org to inquire about hosting your memorable moment at Nantucket’s hidden gem.

Nantucket’s history is filled with stories of heroic lifesaving efforts by everyday citizens and those who went above and beyond the call of duty. Honoring that tradition, Egan Maritime Institute and the Nantucket Cottage Hospital recognize modern-day lifesavers annually on September 11, during the Lifesavers Recognition Day ceremony at the Nantucket Shipwreck & Lifesaving Museum.