About UMass Boston's Nantucket Facilities

The university facility

In 1963, the Nantucket Island estate of the late Mr. Stephen Peabody was donated to the University of Massachusetts by the Nina Hazen Foundation for use as a teaching and research field station. In 1965, the late Katherine Coe Folger gave an additional gift of land. In 2004, The Nantucket Conservation Foundation bought the land and the University is allowed to use the facilities for teaching and research. The Nantucket Field Station (NFS) site includes a 40 acre salt marsh, 2,000 feet of sandy beach fronting on Nantucket harbor, mowed fields, upland shrub habitat, and a large freshwater pond.

Four buildings including a classroom, laboratory, workshop, and office occupy the 107 acre site on Nantucket Harbor some five miles from Nantucket center. A 1,200 sq. ft. laboratory provides workspace and bench space for visiting researchers. A two story 2,200 sq. ft. building houses a workshop used for maintence of the facility as well as boats, vehicles, motors, and scientific equipment. The shop building also provides a 1100 sq. ft. residence for the NFS Research director. A 500 sq. ft. cabin constitutes the Field Station office.

• Download the Nantucket Field Station information sheet .
• Download the Nantucket Field Station day use guidelines.
• Download the Nantucket Field Station rate sheet .

Student, faculty, and reseachers housing is provided at Gouin Village housing (20 Vesper Lane), located close to the center of Nantucket. Gouin Village contains five 2 bedroom apartments capable of accommodating 26 people.

• Download the Gouin Village housing unit users guide.

Resident staff at the NFS maintains laboratory facilities, field equipment, and classroom facilities for year-round use. Activities include research and education use by groups and investigators from a number of Northeast regional institutions in addition to UMB, undergraduate summer courses, year-round interdisciplinary seminars and field trips, and use by numerous local community and governmental groups:

If you are interested in using the Field Station facilities (for education, research, or community service), contact the scheduling office to check for avilability of space and scheduling information.

• Download a Nantucket Field Station housing form

To visit the new Field Station self-guided Nature Trail, contact the Field Station Office and arrange a time to come, or take a virtual tour of the Nature Trail.

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