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.

Founded in 1968, it was the first museum in America dedicated to the lifesaving service. Every visit reveals powerful stories of shipwrecks, survival, and the innovation that shaped maritime history.

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 variety of birds interacting on the marsh.

This Season’s Exhibition

From Hard Times to Boom Times: Nantucket’s Waterfront

Discover the island’s remarkable transformation following the decline of the whaling era. Through photographs, artifacts, and oral histories, trace how Nantucket’s crumbling waterfront evolved into today’s vibrant harbor—a renaissance driven by local visionaries and the island’s resilient spirit.

Closing Week Hours:

Monday - Friday: 10 am - 5 pm

Saturday: 10 am - 2 pm

Saturday, October 11th, will feature complimentary demonstrations of lifesaving techniques, including breeches buoy & heaving sticks. These demonstrations will take place on the lawn and are open to everyone! Museum admission is not included.

We will be open on Monday, 10/13, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

The Shipwreck & Lifesaving Museum - Open May 26th - October 13th

• Monday - Friday: 10 am - 5 pm
• Saturdays: 10 am - 2 pm

158 Polpis Road, Nantucket, MA 02554 | 508-228-1885

Admission Prices:

• • Adults (18+): $15
  • Seniors (65+): $9
  • College Students (with ID): $9
  • Youth (ages 6-17): $7
  • Children (5 & under): Free
  • Island Students: Free
  • Military (individual): Free

To inquire about group tours, camp groups, or school field trips, please contact Hayley Nelson at hnelson@eganmaritime.org.

Lighthouse Passport Stamp Now Available!

Egan Maritime Institute’s Shipwreck & Lifesaving Museum is now a proud participating site in the U.S. Lighthouse Society Passport Program—a national initiative encouraging visits to lighthouse-related sites across the U.S. and Canada.

Visitors can collect a unique stamp featuring our 1857 3rd order Fresnel lens from Great Point Light, which is on outdoor display as part of the Museum’s permanent collection.

Stamps are available at the front desk during operating hours from May through October. A $2 suggested donation per stamp helps support the Museum and its educational mission.

To learn more about the USLS Passport Program, visit uslhs.org/passports.

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

Make History With Us

Let your event become part of Nantucket’s story. With breathtaking views, flexible rental options, and a staff that’s here to help every step of the way, the Nantucket Shipwreck & Lifesaving Museum is the island’s hidden gem for private gatherings.

For Rental Inquires, contract: Hayley Nelson: HNelson@eganmaritime.org | 508-228-2505

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.