HISTORY

How many years has Our Island Home been in existence?

• 1823 – Started as the Quaise Asylum
• 1854 – Asylum building moved to Orange Street (currently the Landmark House) and in 1905 renamed “Our Island Home”.
• 1980 – 1981 – A new “Our Island Home” was built in the current location.

How many Nantucket families have used the facility over the years?
Since 1994, OIH has treated 847 residents and families. Over the years 98% percent of the residents that have resided at OIH have been Nantucket residents and have family and relatives on island.

Can the current site accommodate a new facility?
Between 2016 and 2019, the Select Board engaged LWDA Design Architects, to review the feasibility of constructing a new facility at the East Creek Road site. The report expressed several meaningful concerns, including:

• Disruption to residents during construction would be very significant, and for a protracted period.
• Site work and construction work expose residents to physical and emotional impacts, sleep disturbances, odor and noise impacts, increases in agitation, confusion, relocation of activities, as well as challenges experienced by staff and families.
• Residents would likely need to be relocated off-island during construction.
• Additionally, the location is exposed to sea-level rise and potential for storm surge, given its proximity to the ocean.

How was the decision made to propose Sherburne Commons as an appropriate site?
Input from forums consultants, work groups, residents of OIH and the community was combined with a detailed review of the availability of Town land. This led to the identification of Sherburne Commons as a suitable location for the construction of a new facility. The Select Board announced its decision at its August 18, 2021, meeting.

What will happen to the land where the current OIH facility is located if the facility is moved?
This site will be used for a new Senior Center, as voted by the Select Board on August 18, 2021.