Everything Arts Cape Cod: Museums
The Atwood House MuseumChatham Historical Society
347 Stage Harbor Road
Chatham, MA 02633
508-945-2493
www.chathamhistoricalsociety.org
Among the gems to be found at the Atwood House Museum are the restored 1750s Old Atwood House, a robust archival center, one of Chatham’s twin lights, period furniture, tools, glass, china and art in the galleries, and a gift shop featuring nautical items, jewelry, toys and books. Special exhibits include Chatham to China and The Raptor's Eye: The Natural World of Robert Verity Clem. Open June 14 - October 3, Tuesday - Saturday from 10 am-4 pm.
Bourne Society for Historic Preservation22 Sandwich Road
P.O. Box 125
Pocasset, MA 02559
508-759-6120
jaymarjen@comcast.net
Bourne Society for Historic Preservation saves architecturally significant homes and sponsors events from Antiques Appraisal Day on April 16 to Christmas in Bourne Village over December 3, 4 and 5. Free admission to BSHP site at 22 Sandwich Road, Bourne includes the Alonzo Booth Blacksmith Shop, Alan Green Carriage House and Briggs-McDermott House. Open Tuesdays and Saturdays from 1-4 pm, June 14 - September 3, or by special appointment. Please call for more information.
The Brewster Historical Society & Museum
3171 Main St. (Route 6A, East Brewster)
P.O. Box 1146
Brewster, MA 02631
508-896-9521
brewsterhistoricalsociety@comcast.net
www.brewsterhistoricalsociety.org
The museum is located in a mid-19th century homestead and houses four permanent galleries, a special exhibits gallery, and an extensive documents research area that is accessible by appointment in the off-season. The fully restored 18th century windmill and Harris-Black House, and working 1870 blacksmith shop, are adjacent to the park grounds. Open mid-July through mid-September, Thursday - Saturday, 1-4 pm. Call or visit the website for more information and events.
Cahoon Museum of American Art4676 Falmouth Road (Route 28)
P.O. Box 1853
Cotuit, MA 02635
508-428-7581
info@cahoonmuseum.org
www.cahoonmuseum.org
The Cahoon Museum of American Art boasts eight galleries in a beautiful 1775 Georgian Colonial home. Seven exhibitions over the year cover the whole range of American art. The museum also has a charming gift shop, Mermaids Cove. Open year round (except January). Hours are Tuesday - Saturday 10 am-4 pm and Sunday 1-4 pm. Admission is $6 for non-members, $5 for seniors, $4 for students, free for children under
12. Tours are available by request.
Cape Cod Children’s Museum577 Great Neck Road South
Mashpee, MA 02649
508-539-8788
www.visitcccm.org
Offering year-round entertainment and educational activities to thousands of visitors, the museum fosters children’s imaginations through daily crafts and hands-on exhibits, including a pirate ship, a submarine, an indoor planetarium, a puppet theater, a music room, toddler play area, and more! Voted "Best Rainy Day Activity on the Upper Cape" for 2010. For more information contact the museum directly or visit the website.
Cape Cod Maritime Museum 135 South Street
Hyannis, MA 02601
508-775-1723
info@capecodmaritimemuseum.org.
www.capecodmaritimemuseum.org
Celebrating and preserving the Cape’s maritime heritage, CCMM offers permanent and rotating exhibits, boat-building, activities, and programs for the whole family. Sail on the historic Crosby catboat replica Sarah. The gift shop features nautical books and gifts for all ages. Don’t miss the Maritime Festival on June 11 & 12, 2011. Group rates, tours, bus parking and handicap access. Open mid March - December, Tuesday-Saturday 10 am-4 pm, Sunday 12-4 pm, $5 adults, $4 seniors/students, Children under 7 free.
Cape Cod Museum of Art 60 Hope Lane
P.O. Box 2034
Dennis, MA 02638
508-385-4477
www.ccmoa.org
CCMA, the region’s premier art museum, focuses on historic and contemporary artists influenced by Cape Cod, the Islands, and Southeastern Massachusetts, its people, and their exchange of artistic ideas. Handicapped accessible, the museum has seven galleries, a glass-enclosed sculpture porch, a 90-seat auditorium, a small gift shop, and an outdoor sculpture garden. The Weny Education Center and Harry Holl Sculpture & Clay Studio offer year round classes. Open daily Memorial Day - Columbus Day. Group rates and tours available.
Cape Cod Museum of Natural History869 Main Street (Route 6A)
Brewster, MA 02631
508-896-3867
info@ccmnh.org
www.ccmnh.org
The mission of the Cape Cod Museum of Natural History is to inspire appreciation, understanding and stewardship of our natural environment through discovery and learning. An 80-acre site abutted by conservation land, the museum offers lectures, Mudflat Mania!, nature programs, exhibits, an aquarium and the KidSummer Natural History Day Program. This year’s exhibit is the North American Shore Bird Migration Exhibit in conjunction with the opening of the Eldridge Arnold Room and Bird Carving Exhibit.
Cataumet Schoolhouse Preservation Group
1200 County Road
P.O. Box 649
Cataumet, MA 02534
774-238-0007
www.cataumetschoolhouse.org
The mission of the CSPG is to promote as a location for educational, cultural and recreational activities available to the community and the general public at the Cataumet Schoolhouse building. Upcoming events: August 7, Antique Auto Show and Picnic; August 2, 9, 16 and 30, Tuesday Talks on topics concerning Lands and Landscapes of Cape Cod; September and October, third grade visits capturing “The way it was…”; and December 3, the popular Holiday Fair. For more information visit the website.
Edward Gorey House8 Strawberry Lane
Yarmouth Port, MA 02675
508-362-3909
info@edwardgoreyhouse.org
www.edwardgoreyhouse.org
The Edward Gorey House presents Edward Gorey and the Performing Arts. Known for his whimsically macabre books and illustrations, Gorey had a great interest in ballet, theatre, and opera. On exhibit will be original drawings, sketches and ephemera highlighting his work for The New York City Ballet, the Metropolitan Opera, Dracula, productions on Cape Cod, and more. Gorey also wrote a silent movie script The Black Doll, and created the introduction of PBS’s Mystery!
Falmouth Historical Society & Museums 55 and 65 Palmer Avenue
P.O. Box 174
Falmouth, MA 02541
508-548-4857
www.falmouthhistoricalsociety.org
The museums overlook the Village Green, with two 18th-century houses displaying furniture and fine art, textiles and “curiosities” that provide a window on days gone by. Exhibits tell of Falmouth’s 19th-century whaling industry, pre-Civil War medicine and the life of Katharine Lee Bates, Falmouth-born author of America the Beautiful. Also on the grounds are three gardens. Offices, library and archives open year-round. Museums are seasonal. Group tours, bus parking, handicap accessible.
Green Briar Nature Center & Jam Kitchen6 Discovery Hill Road
East Sandwich, MA 02537
508-888-6870
info@thorntonburgess.org
www.thorntonburgess.org
The Green Briar Nature Center and Jam Kitchen is owned and operated by the Thornton W. Burgess Society, a non-profit environmental education organization offering natural history programs for children, families and adults, plus jam making workshops in the historic 1903 Jam Kitchen. Green Briar also features changing gallery exhibits, small resident animals, unique gift shop, library, wildflower garden, and walking trails. Special events for the public are scheduled throughout the year. Open year round.
Harwich Historical Society80 Parallel Street
Harwich, MA 02645
508-432-8089
www.harwichhistoricalsociety.org
Housed in the historic Brooks Academy, the Harwich Historical Society collects, preserves, and exhibits the history of the town. In 2011, the museum will host a major exhibit of paintings by the famed Harwich artist Charles D. Cahoon in honor of his 150th anniversary. Cahoon is considered an important American representational artist who captured Cape Cod of a bygone era. Opening reception Sunday, June 26, 2-4 pm. Open Thursdays, 1-6 pm, Fridays & Saturdays 1-4 pm, June 30 through October 8. Admission: Adults: $3; kids to 18 and members free. For more exhibit information visit www.charlesdcahoon.org.
Heritage Museums & Gardens67 Grove Street
Sandwich, MA 02563
508-888-3300
info@heritagemuseums.org
www.heritagemuseumsandgardens.org
Celebrating American art, history, horticulture and industry on 100 acres, the museum has miles of walking paths and beautiful gardens including rhododendrons, Hart Family Maze Garden, labyrinth, hosta, heather and annual gardens. New seasonal exhibits including America’s Kitchens organized by Historic New England, Flying Horses, and Born to Ride, vintage motorcycles. World class automobile collection, Flume Fountain with 26-foot waterfall, Hidden Hollow: Outdoor Discovery Center, Old East Mill, Museum Store and seasonal Blossoms Café.
Highfield Hall56 Highfield Drive
P.O. Box 494
Falmouth, MA 02541
508-495-1878
www.highfieldhall.org
Highfield Hall is a magnificently restored 1878 mansion now a center for cultural and community activity. It is in use for programs year round, and is open to the public on a regular basis from April - October. Admission is free. Visit the website to learn about the history of the property, art exhibitions, concerts, culinary classes and other events, or how to host a wedding or other private celebration at this spectacular location.
John F. Kennedy Hyannis Museum397 Main Street
Hyannis, MA 02601
508-790-3077
hacc@hyannis.com
www.hyannis.com
The John F. Kennedy Hyannis Museum is a multimedia exhibit designed to open a window to the days JFK spent on Cape Cod. The exhibit features over 80 photographs spanning the years from 1934-1963, arranged in thematic groupings to reflect JFK, his family, friends and Cape Cod. A video narrated by Walter Cronkite depicts the President’s experiences on the Cape and a film of interviews with friends and neighbors are in the collection. Open March - December.
Osterville Historical Society & Museum 155 West Bay Road
P.O. Box 3
Osterville, MA 02655
508-428-5861
ohs@ostervillemseum.org
www.ostervillemuseum.org
The museum complex has three buildings that include: the 1855 Herbert F. Crosby Boat Shop, with boats, exhibits, photos, objects, and tools highlighting Osterville's boat building history; the Captain Parker House, circa 1824, with art, antiques and special exhibits; the Cammett House, circa 1730, a unique Cape "half house" featuring furnishings from the mid-1800's and two gardens maintained by the Osterville Garden Club. Open June - September, Thursday - Saturday, 10 am-2 pm. Visit the website for events schedule.
Pilgrim Monument and Provincetown MuseumHigh Pole Hill Road
Provincetown, MA 02657
508-487-1310
info@pilgrim-monument.org
www.pilgrim–monument.org
The Pilgrim Monument and Provincetown Museum (PMPM) is a great destination for visitors of all ages. Climb to the 252-foot tall Pilgrim Monument for spectacular views of the Outer Cape. The Provincetown Museum offers permanent exhibits on the Mayflower Pilgrims, Provincetown and local history, and the building of the Monument. The collections include decorative arts, toys, paintings, scrimshaw, and dioramas. Special exhibits annually. PMPM also hosts concerts, walking tours, book signings, and other programs. Open April - November.
Provincetown Art Association and Museum460 Commercial Street
Provincetown, MA 02657
508-487-1750
info@paam.org
www.paam.org
Provincetown Art Association and Museum is the cultural anchor of the Provincetown Art Colony, enriching all of Cape Cod and beyond. More than fifty thousand visitors each year agree that PAAM’s growing permanent collection and exciting exhibitions are a must-see. October - May, Thursday - Sunday 12-5 pm. Memorial Day - September, Monday - Thursday 11 am-8 pm, Friday 11 am-10 pm, Saturday and Sunday 11 am-5 pm. Admission $7. Free to members. Free exhibition openings. Free Friday evenings after 5 pm.
Sandwich Historical Society / Sandwich Glass Museum129 Main Street
P.O. Box 103
Sandwich, MA 02563
508-888-0251
www.sandwichglassmuseum.org
Sandwich Glass Museum features glassblowing demonstrations and a multi-media presentation, Sandwich: The First 200 Years. Museum displays over 6,000 pieces of glass made in Sandwich in the 19th and 20th centuries. Special Exhibits. Gift shop offers jewelry, paperweights, perfumes, ornaments, reproductions and contemporary glass. Hours: February and March, Wednesday - Sunday 9:30-4 pm. Daily April - December 9:30-5 pm. Admission $5 Adults, $1.25 children 6 -14 years. Group rates for 10 or more; bus parking; handicap access available.
Truro Historical Society, Inc. / Highland Museum27 Highland Road
North Truro, MA 02652
P.O. Box 486
Truro, MA 02666
508-487-3397
www.trurohistorical.org
Since 1968, the Truro Historical Society has collected, protected, and displayed artifacts donated to the Highland Museum that tell the history of Truro since before the arrival of European settlers to present times. The society offers programs for children and adults throughout their season. The society sponsors special exhibits presenting the art, culture, and history of Truro and offer a regular Wednesday evening series of lectures, musical presentations, and readings. Open June 1 - September 30.
Zion Union Heritage Museum276 North Street
P.O. Box 2591
Hyannis, MA 02601
508-790-9466
www.zionunionheritagemuseum.org
Zion Union Heritage Museum celebrates the African-American and Cape Verdean population as well as other ethnic and demographic diversity of Barnstable and Cape Cod. The Cape and Islands are the site of a rich history created by people of color in our region that helped shape what Cape Cod is today. The Zion Union Heritage Museum was funded in part by the Community Preservation Act and the Lyndon Paul Lorusso Foundation in partnership with the Town of Barnstable.
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