The cobblestones of downtown Nantucket hold stories far more dramatic, and far older, than human history. Walk with MMA’s Natural Historian, Dr. Rich Blundell, and learn to read a billion years of Earth history written in the stones beneath your feet. Every cobble is a traveler, carried here by ice from mountains and landscapes that rose, collided, and disappeared across deep time.
The granites, schists, sandstones, and gneisses of Nantucket open windows into lost worlds: ancient seas, colliding continents, volcanic island chains that drifted across ancient oceans, the world of the dinosaurs, and the great glacier that ultimately shaped Nantucket itself. Along the way, you’ll hold real rocks and fossils from these vanished worlds—from half-billion-year-old trilobites to shark teeth left behind by warm seas long gone.
What looks like an ordinary Nantucket street becomes a journey through deep time. Come discover the billion-year story written in the stones beneath your feet—and the remarkable ways that story is still unfolding.
This program is designed to be interesting for inquisitive adults and will take place outdoors in downtown Nantucket. Pre-registration is required for this event. In the case of inclement weather, an alternate indoor location will be shared with registered participants. Program will commence at the Steps of the Pacific National Bank (61 Main St, Nantucket, MA 02554).
Cost Per Participant: $15, MMA Members receive 20% off
Contact email: rblundell@mariamitchell.org
Cancellation and Refund Policy: We understand that plans change! Because we are a small non-profit that benefits from the contributions made by our generous patrons and supporters, cancellations make it more challenging for us to manage program enrollment. Tickets are non-refundable, should you choose to cancel. However, tickets are eligible for an exchange before the date and time of the scheduled program subject to a $5 rescheduling service fee, per reservation, and program availability. If you wish to reschedule, please contact us at info@mariamitchell.org.
In the event of a complete event or program cancellation by us ticket-holders will receive a ticket exchange or refund. Requests for exchanges or refunds must be made in writing, and received, no more than seven days from the date printed on the ticket. Rescheduling is not guaranteed and is based on current availability. No refund or credit will be given if the ticket holder requests a time that is unavailable for any reason.
All offerings are subject to cancellation by the MMA at any time, with or without notice for reasons deemed necessary by the organization. In the event of a cancellation by us, we will make every effort to provide a ticket exchange at an amenable date and time to both parties and if we cannot, we will refund the purchase and credit the original payment method.