Lost on a Reef Exhibit in Nantucket, MA

View of the Lost on a Reef exhibit at the Nantucket Whaling Museum. Credit: NHA/Sarah Parks

Following the discovery and identification of the Nantucket whaleship Two Brothers in 2011, PMNM developed a strong partnership with the Nantucket Historical Association. This shipwreck project forged a connection between two island communities with a shared whaling heritage. In an effort to assist with the identification and research of this vessel, maritime archaeologists decided to recover and conserve eight unique artifacts from the Two Brothers shipwreck site. These artifacts have become a part of a traveling "Lost on a Reef" exhibit. This exhibit opened for public viewing in June of 2012 at the Nantucket Whaling Museum where the public can learn more about the Two Brothers shipwreck site, as well as the broader maritime heritage of Papahānaumokuākea. After almost 200 years, these Two Brothers artifacts have returned to their home port in Nantucket, MA.

View of the Lost on a Reef exhibit at the Nantucket Whaling Museum. Credit: NHA/Sarah Parks

View of the Lost on a Reef exhibit at the Nantucket Whaling Museum. Credit: NHA/Sarah Parks

A view of the cast iron cooking pot recovered and conserved from the Two Brothers shipwreck site. Credit: NHA/Sarah Parks

View of the Lost on a Reef Exhibit at the Nantucket Whaling Museum with the conserved cast iron cooking pot in an enclosed case. Credit: NHA/Sarah Parks

Visitors take a look at the Lost on a Reef exhibit panels at the Nantucket Whaling Museum. Credit: Lisa Frey

Dr. Kelly Gleason introduces an audience at the Nantucket Whaling Museum to the Lost on a Reef exhibit and discusses updates about the Two Brothers shipwreck project. Credit: Jim Powers

View of an interpretive panel and artifacts from the Two Brothers shipwreck site at the Lost on a Reef exhibit at the Nantucket Whaling Museum. Artifacts include three harpoon tips and two whaling lances. Credit: NHA/Sarah Parks

Ceramic sherds from dinnerware and copper sheathing discovered at the Two Brothers shipwreck site and conserved by the Heritage Resources Conservation Laboratory. Credit: NHA/Sarah Parks