Author’s note: Earlier this month, Historic Chatham sponsored a free virtual historic bus tour of the town of Chatham to celebrate history weekend. Two 90-minute sessions circled town, featuring stops at several well known (and lesser known) locations, where a local expert (staff or volunteer) provided a brief introduction of the site. Local historian Ron Clark “drove the bus” and did a great job managing the technology and smooth transitions among multiple speakers. It has often been said that Cape Cod’s rich history, maritime, farming or otherwise, is part of what makes it special to many. In that vein, make sure to visit the historical society of any Cape Cod town for information on sites, tours and architecture. You will see Cape Cod in a whole new perspective; some of it hidden history in plain sight!
Historic Chatham Outdoor Adventure
As we ponder more outdoor activities, dare I say adventures, to fill the day, consider your options with historical roots. Even if you missed the virtual bus tour, you can embark on your own magical mystery history tour by foot, bike or car!
Below are a list of locations from the tour, a fact or two, and a call for volunteers and donations to all who are able:
Eldredge Public Library (EPL), 564 Main Street. In 1896, the EPL was a gift to the people of Chatham from native son, Marcellus Eldredge, who was a successful businessman and legislator in Portsmouth New Hampshire, but who retained close ties to his home town. EPL programs are extensive from everything like the availability of daily newspapers, sections for children and young adults, book clubs, classes, and a Friends of the Library, who provide financial support for additional programming.
Chatham Conservation Foundation’s MayoHouse, 540 Main Street. The Josiah Mayo House is home to the Chatham Conservation Foundation, which currently holds 820 acres of conservation land in its portfolio. The home was built between 1818-1820 by Josiah Mayo, a blacksmith by trade, who was Postmaster in Chatham for 40 years and portrays life on Main Street in the 19th century.
The Godfrey Windmill, 125 Shattuck Place. Ever wonder where the term, “the daily grind” comes from? Why the windmill of course! Built in 1797 by Colonel Benjamin Godfrey on Mill Hill (now Stage Harbor Road), at the time, is one of the last of the town’s grist mills to be built. It was relocated to its current Chase Park location in the 1950s. Not only is the Godfrey Mill open to the public, once a year volunteers activate the mill and reenact grinding corn meal (visitors help) just as it did in the 18th and 19th centuries.
Atwood School [now the Doc Keene Scout Hall], 224 Stage Harbor Road. The former school has served as the Scout Hall since the 1920s. Unlike many buildings in Chatham, including at least one former schoolhouse, this building has not moved. Instead, the street name was changed – Stage Harbor Road, was originally called Atwood Street.
The Atwood Museum, 347 Stage Harbor Road. The Atwood Museum is home to the Chatham Historical Society that leads preservation efforts and sponsors grant awards for local projects. The property is expansive with both indoor and outdoor galleries and exhibits from everything from the Mayflower’s arrival to World War II to photos of Chatham over the years.
Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge (Visitor Center), 1 Wikis Way. The 7,604 acre wildlife refuge was established in 1944 to provide a habitat for migratory birds. It is renowned for its sand stretching eight miles into the Atlantic Ocean, forming the barrier islands of North and South Monomoy. The Visitor’s Center and Refuge Headquarters is located on 40-acre Morris Island with a beach and short (3/4 miles) trail system loop.
Chatham Lighthouse, 37 Main Street. The original wood structures built in 1808 consisted of twin lighthouses to distinguish them (and Chatham Harbor) from Highland Light in Truro. The lighthouse has been re-built and moved multiple times over the years. However, the current beacon remains not only one of the most noticeable landmarks in town, but is currently in use for maritime rescue by the U.S. Coast Guard. The current light can be seen 24 nautical miles offshore.
The Marconi-RCA Wireless Museum, 847 Orleans Road. At the turn of the 20th century, Guglielmo Marconi completed two way communications between his 35,000 watt station in Wellfleet and Poldu England, which enabled mariners formerly isolated at sea to be able to communicate with the harbormaster and other boats. The Radio Corporation of America (RCA) acquired the assets of Marconi’s company after World War I and paved the way for modern day communication technology.
The Nickerson Family Association’s Caleb Nickerson House, 1107 Orleans Road. William Nickerson was the founder of Chatham, and this homestead (compound) celebrates the town’s founding family as well as acts as a working museum of life on Cape cod in the early 19th century.
Chatham Railroad Museum, 153 Depot Road. The 1887 railroad station served residents and visitors alike until 1937. A vintage, 1910 wood caboose that visitors can explore, arrived in 1963 to compliment the museum’s collection.
The Champlain Monument, [near] 608 Stage Harbor Road. The rock monument represents the first explorer, Samuel de Champlain, to land in the town in 1606.
Not on the tour, but worth noting in the context of Chatham’s history are the handful of residential properties currently under demolition delays due to the historic nature of the dwelling. Those homes are 26 Cockle Cove Road; 68 Shell Drive, 157 Cross Street, and 233 Seaview Street.
While this virtual bus tour was free, many of these organizations are struggling financially through the shutdown caused by the pandemic. Please consider donating to or volunteering for these organizations to help them advance their mission and ensure a bright future promoting the historical assets of Chatham.
To learn more about Historic Chatham and the bus tour, visit www.historic-chatham.org.