Things to do in Cape Cod, Cape Cod: The Best History Museums

March 27, 2022 Russell Mellin

The Atlantic crashes on a coastline strewn with quaint harbors, windswept beaches, glorious dunes and blinking lighthouses. Explore Cape Cod National Seashore, bike past cranberry bogs on the Rail Trail or saunter around Sandwich, the Cape's oldest town. Many areas are architectural and culinary gems - full of weathered shingles, whaling captains' mansions, chowder shacks and upscale dining delights. Don't miss Woods Hole Oceanquest, famed Martha's Vineyard or charmingly upbeat Provincetown.
Restaurants in Cape Cod

1. Brewster Historical Society Museum

739 Lower Rd, Brewster, MA 02631-1226 +1 508-896-9521 http://www.brewsterhistoricalsociety.org
Excellent
93%
Good
7%
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5.0 based on 15 reviews

Brewster Historical Society Museum

2. Wing Fort House

63 Spring Hill Rd (mailing address 69 Spring Hill Rd), East Sandwich, Sandwich, MA 02537-1028 +1 508-833-1540 http://wingfamily.org
Excellent
88%
Good
8%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
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5.0 based on 25 reviews

Wing Fort House

3. Centerville Historical Society Museum

513 Main St, Centerville, MA 02632-2913 +1 508-775-0331 http://www.centervillehistoricalmuseum.org
Excellent
88%
Good
13%
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5.0 based on 24 reviews

Centerville Historical Society Museum

4. Atwood Museum

347 Stage Harbor Rd, Chatham, MA 02633-2229 +1 508-945-2493 [email protected] http://www.chathamhistoricalsociety.org
Excellent
95%
Good
5%
Satisfactory
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Poor
1%
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Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 151 reviews

Atwood Museum

Exhibit hours and days vary throughout the year. For details please visit our website. **Advance reservations are required during the pandemic.** Most, but not all exhibits may be open at this time. ** New exhibits this year include: - An outdoor Wetu (Wampanoag dwelling), - The Turning Point - Mayflower Exhibit, - WWII Commemoration, and - Honoring the Suffrage Movement. Explore Cape Cod of centuries past with 12 galleries in 14 exhibits, starting with a tour of a historical dwelling built circa 1752. Discover Cape Cod's captivating history, art, and culture at the Chatham Historical Society's Atwood House Museum. In addition to the 18th century Atwood House, Museum highlights include: a Mural Barn with works by Alice Stallknecht, the Nickerson North Beach Camp, a fishing gallery, Double Take Then and Now photo exhibit, Main Street Cape Cod, stories of the Pendleton and other shipwrecks, several rotating exhibits, a research facility, a popular gift shop and more.

Reviewed By EllieR33 - Leeds, United Kingdom

We visited last week, on a very wet day in Chatham, as we were looking for something indoors to do, and most things were closed as it was the end of September. This place was a lucky find, we must have spent a good couple of hours there and could have taken longer. The tour of the original old house that forms part of the site, the beach cabin out back, the displays of clothing, shells and war history were all fascinating. We especially enjoyed learning about the story of the rescue of the crew members from the Pendleton shipwreck. The staff here are friendly, and informative, thoroughly recommended if you're in Chatham

5. Chatham Marconi Maritime Center

847 Orleans Rd, North Chatham, Chatham, MA 02650-1165 +1 508-945-8889 [email protected] http://chathammarconi.org
Excellent
90%
Good
9%
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Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 203 reviews

Chatham Marconi Maritime Center

Founded in 2002, the Chatham Marconi Maritime Center occupies two restored buildings on the preserved 11 acre, 10-building campus which comprised the former Marconi/RCA Wireless Receiving Station, once the busiest ship-to-shore station on the East Coast and a significant military installation during World War II. From Marconi's Spark To Modern Wireless! The Center's Marconi/RCA Wireless Museum offers interactive exhibits tracing the history of maritime wireless communication in Chatham from its formative days with Marconi through the 20th Century, and the wireless we use today. Visit arrival hours are listed; reservations are advised. Chatham Marconi's Education Center houses the museum's Wireless Today gallery and STEM education classrooms. The Center offers forward-thinking STEM education in area schools through its unique TechSmart program, STEM After Hours outside the classroom, and fun on-site week-long Summer Science classes. Please see website for details.

Reviewed By mememcmc

Awesome museum for both kids and adults. The history and real life experiences were exciting - and alot of great cape cod history. Many hands on activities for the young and old.

6. Barnstable Historical Society

3087 Main St Across from Sturgis Library, Barnstable, MA 02630-1119 +1 508-362-2982 [email protected] http://barnstablehistoricalsociety.org
Excellent
100%
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5.0 based on 2 reviews

Barnstable Historical Society

The Barnstable Historical Society, founded in 1939, is a Collection of the 7 villages of the Town of Barnstable's History. The mission of the BHS is to create and foster an interest in the cultural heritage and maritime history thru our artifacts and documents. Just introducing our tool collection an exhibit of early industries of the Cape. And we're FREE!

7. Nye Museum

85 Old County Rd, East Sandwich, Sandwich, MA 02537-1430 +1 508-888-4213 [email protected] http://www.nyemuseum.org
Excellent
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5.0 based on 6 reviews

Nye Museum

Spend an afternoon at the Nye Museum, just off Route 6A near the East Sandwich Post Office. Located on a beautiful 3-acre homestead established by Benjamin Nye in 1678, the Nye Museum is a professionally staffed non-profit organization. Its mission is to preserve and promote three historic landmarks: a 1678 Colonial Farmhouse, an 1858 Grist Mill and Mill Museum, and our 1889 Grange Hall & Welcome Center. We are open for tours from mid-June to mid-October or year-round by special appointment. Additionally, we host special events and history talks throughout the year. Join us for guided tours, special events, or a relaxing stroll through our grounds and trails. Serene, inviting, and brimming with local history, the Nye Museum will transport you back to colonial times. PLEASE NOTE: the 1678 house museum is closed temporarily due to coronavirus. However, the Visitors Center, Mill Museum, and Old Fish Hatchery Trail are available for visitors who want a tour. Come visit!

8. Sandwich Glass Museum

129 Main St, Sandwich, MA 02563-2233 +1 508-888-0251 http://www.sandwichglassmuseum.org/
Excellent
57%
Good
32%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 740 reviews

Sandwich Glass Museum

The museum details the history of the Boston and Sandwich Glass Company.

Reviewed By HKonowitz3 - Dover, United States

Don't miss this place. It is a factory and an outstanding museum offers hundreds of glass items featuring the work of Cape Cod and national artisans, as well as their own studio

9. Salt Pond Visitor Center

Route 6, Eastham, MA 02642 +1 508-255-3421 [email protected] http://www.nps.gov/caco/planyourvisit/visitorcenters.htm
Excellent
73%
Good
24%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
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Terrible
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Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 379 reviews

Salt Pond Visitor Center

Popular replica of an Indian settlement.

Reviewed By RdTripper_USA

We stopped here on our way to the P-town in hopes to find some outdoor hikes to do while on the Cape for the day , and we are glad we did. There is a large parking lot with free parking. You have access to several hikes right from the the lot. The visitor's center has an abundance of information abut the Cape and all the activities available. If you are looking for hikes as we were, as the Ranger for a "self guide" map of the Cape. The map is free and shows numerous places to get out doors. After our visit to the tip of the Cape, we stopped again and hiked the three trails. There are some very beautiful views if you take the time to stop and enjoy them.

10. Stony Brook Grist Mill and Museum

830 Stony Brook Rd, Brewster, MA 02631-1011 http://www.brewster-capecod.com/
Excellent
63%
Good
32%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
1%
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Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 81 reviews

Stony Brook Grist Mill and Museum

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