The Craft & History of Nantucket Quarterboard Company
When it came time to choose a name for the quarterboard of our Nantucket Beach House, it was clear - Cailíní Coastal. Cailíní Coastal is much more than just the name of my business. It means "Coastal Girls" in Gaelic (we're of Irish ancestry) and is named for our young daughters, who have grown up by the coast of California, Connecticut and now Nantucket.
For those unfamiliar, a quarterboard is a hand-carved wooden sign, traditionally used to identify ships and now displayed on Nantucket homes (nearly all of them!) as a nod to the island’s maritime past. These signs have become a beloved part of local tradition - each one custom, meaningful, and deeply tied to the place it represents. It's always fun to take note of the names of quarterboards when wandering around the island. Many are playful, fun and some will even make you laugh out loud!
As far as where to have our quarterboard made, I went to the go-to on island - Kelly Emery, the artist and founder behind Nantucket Quarterboard. A Madaket native with deep roots on the island, Kelly carries on this historic craft with a modern, creative spirit. His background is shaped by a family of local makers and his own winding career path allows him to infuse each piece with authenticity and intention.
We asked Kelly to share more about the island’s rich quarterboard history, how he approaches his craft, and his advice for naming one of these meaningful markers.
Enjoy!
xx Meg
CC: Let’s start at the beginning. Tell us a little about your connection to Nantucket.
KE: I was born in Nantucket Cottage Hospital and grew up in Madaket.
CC: We’d love to hear more about your background. What were some of the early influences that shaped your path?
KE: My mother was the founder of Nantucket Sewing Center and operated 30+ years on Main Street. My father started Indian Summer Surf Shop before surfing went mainstream. Later, he transitioned to interior wood shutters, which he is a master of!
A lot of what I have learned about operating a business was passed down by them.
CC: How did you first get into making quarterboards? Was there a moment when you realized this could become your craft?
KE: A lot of skills I had learned from my family, education, people, and work sort of just came together at a pivotal time in my life when I was unsure what was next.
CC: What inspired you to take up this craft, and how did you transition into making quarterboards a key part of your work?
KE: I am inspired by the many talented tradespeople and artists of the island. I worked a lot of jobs that I liked but knew I would eventually leave. Working in education was rewarding, helping young learners, but attending staff meetings after school was not fun. Working as a Wordpress content manager in an office was technical but put me in a chair for too long in front of a blue screen. I knew I had to find something to deliver myself from undesirable work, it sounds cheesy but the answer came by listening to the world around me.
(Photo Credit: Nantucket Quarterboard)
CC: Can you share the history behind Nantucket Quarterboards? For those unfamiliar, what makes these pieces so historically significant to the island?
KE: Quarterboards come from the whaling era and transitioned their role during the industrial revolution when killing whales for oil started getting phased out. There are great resources on island between Nantucket Historical Association and Egan Maritime institute that take a deep dive. In the beginning it was a way for the government to identify tax paying ships. Eventually it became a timepiece of the past and soon a tradition.
CC: Why are they specifically called "quarterboards"?
KE: Because if it was the entire board, it would be the whole board...JK. They are called that because they were hung off the back of the boat, in the "quarters."
CC: Since all of your quarterboards are handcrafted, could you walk us through the process of creating one?
KE: There are lots of layers involved. I would love to make all my trade secrets and company data available publicly when I retire. A lot of this was trial and error at the beginning by making mistakes, fixing them, and doing things over. Now I know the best practices and products I like, at least what works for me.
CC: The Nantucket Historical Association (NHA) has strict guidelines to preserve the island’s historic charm, and this includes quarterboards. Could you explain the “rules” or regulations around what’s approved for the island?
KE: The NHA does great things for this island. If you were to read the NHA's sign rule book, you would soon realize Nantucket's downtown is rife with nonconforming signs. IMO, it might be unconstitutional to enforce on a new business any rules. I think one day there may be pushback. I hope new island business owners do what they want without jumping through hoops. On the bright side, this is mostly for signs on businesses. Home signs pretty much have free reign over their customization and design.
CC: Naming a quarterboard seems like a special experience. Do you have any advice for someone trying to name theirs?
KE: Start Slow. Make sure most of the family is "on board." A thing, person, or place are great parts of speech to start with, come up with something punny or another literary technique. Most people come unsure what they will name their house or change it after 30 emails. Stay flexible, make it a fun conversation point and a chance to get creative with words and literary devices.
CC: What are some of your favorite or most memorable quarterboard names you’ve worked on? Any unique or creative names that stand out to you?
KE: Slap That Ack was memorable, that was more of a handheld sign. I have a trade agreement with @chadtucket making their signs available to consumers. I also made the legendary STUBBYS sign which lives indoors at their Boston location.
CC: Do you make quarterboards for people off the island?
KE: Yes, while I mostly serve the USA, my work is becoming sought after around the world. Sign shops are everywhere, I just happen to make the best, offer high quality personable help, and a guarantee if you aren’t satisfied I will do everything I can to make sure you are.
CC: Aside from quarterboards, what other items do you craft or create?
KE: I love playing music. I want to jump back into outdoor music instrument making and have installations for the public or schools to enjoy. It has even been shown in studies vandalism decreases when people have things to interact with. Let’s get more music back in the parks? It is not as loud as they say.
Now that my sign making process is refined, I hope to have more time to perform music in the summertime at various events and spaces.
CC: Is there anything we haven’t covered that you’d love to share about your journey or what this work has meant to you?
KE: This year 30 of my signs made it onto the US Navy Ship the USS Nantucket LCS 27 which has been a milestone and honor for me to be a part of. They are all white background with Nantucket Blue trim and letters and named after their favorite Nantucket locations. Three of the thirty signs are in gold to signify the officer’s headquarters within the ship.
CC: Where can we explore and follow your work?
KE:
Nantucket Quarterboard Company Website
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