About the House

The Caleb Gardner House was built in 1733 and is located in the historic district of the Town of Nantucket.  Known as the Caleb Gardner House because of its original occupant it has also has been called the “Wisteria Lodge” because of the massive wisteria vine that covered the front of the house. 

The house has been a popular subject for Nantucket post cards over the years.  The location of the house, at the point where Hussey Street turns to meet North Liberty Street, just two blocks from downtown, allows artists and photographers an ideal view of the front of the house.

Much of the furniture in the house was purchased in France in the 1920s by Dr. and Mrs. Cochran.  When they purchased the house in 1939, they shipped the furniture from Paris in a huge crate.  During the many months it took to arrive, they were sure it was at the bottom of the ocean, victim of a U-boat torpedo.  When the furniture finally did arrive, they were overjoyed.  The empty crate was moved to Madaket Road were it was converted into a small house.

In the spring the entire east side of the house is covered with pink climbing roses.  Four young wisteria plants are rapidly catching up to the magnificence of their parent and working their way up the trellis across the front of the house. The house has a large yard including a “lower garden” at the side.  The lower garden is a secluded area that’s ideal for badminton, croquet and other games. A crushed shell driveway provides off-the-street parking for several cars.

Seven bedrooms, including three that convert to king sized beds, a huge living room, elegant dining room, and library filled with reading treasures make this house a unique and exciting experience for your stay on Nantucket.

Amenities