Unscripted | with Fran Karttunen

Nantucket's history was always more diverse than commonly remembered, with 13 languages spoken in the school system today compared to just one during the speaker's childhood. The island's multicultural character originated from its role as a whaling port, which attracted Pacific Islanders, Irish immigrants, Portuguese, Azorians, and Cape Verdeans who came for economic opportunities. This diversity was the norm 200 years ago, not an exception, and the island has returned to this historical pattern of international connections and cultural exchange.