Jack Fritsch, owner of Antiques Depot on Nantucket, discusses the history of Nantucket Lightship Baskets exploring the facts and fiction behind this iconic and unique Nantucket art. This Food for Thought Lecture at the Nantucket Whaling Museum falls on the one-year anniversary of the affiliation of the Nantucket Lightship Basket Museum with the Nantucket Historical Association.
Jack Fritsch first came to Nantucket as a research biologist in 1979. His love for history and antiques quickly led him to co-found the Antiques Depot in 1989 with the late Howard Chadwick. Jack is familiar to many as the former manager of the island’s auction gallery for 23 years. Jack’s experience also includes participating in many highly respected antiques shows, as well as providing his expertise to several premier New England auction galleries, nationally known museums and private collections, as well as being a professional Personal Property Appraiser. Jack has written for the Nantucket Historical Association’s Historic Nantucket and also for the Nantucket publication Yesterday’s Island.
A very active member in the community, he has served as a former Chair of the NHA’s Festival of Trees, and is a perennial volunteer at the event. Jack has served on many boards, including the Nantucket Book Foundation, the Nantucket Center for Elder Affairs, the Town of Nantucket Senior Center Committee, Nantucket Musical Arts Society, and for many years served on the of the Nantucket Arts Council.