History
The colorful history of Cape Cod postcards
New exhibit and book showcase 100 years of local postcards “Greetings from Cape Cod”—one vintage postcard reads—“a neck of land where necking is allowed.” The cartoon illustration depicts a “bevy…
The Changing Shape of the Cape & Islands: Great Point, Nantucket
Editor’s note: This is the 16th in a series of articles covering the region’s dramatically changing coastline. Click here to see all of the articles. In the 18th century, the…
The charming history of Eastham’s ‘Three Sisters’ lighthouses
Cape Cod Life ONLINE exclusive Since their birth in 1838, the Three Sisters lighthouses in Eastham have worked together as a family—first to illuminate the waters off Nauset Light Beach…
The Changing Shape of the Cape & Islands: Cape Poge and North Neck, Martha’s Vineyard
Editor’s note: This is the 15th in a series of articles covering the region’s dramatically changing coastline. Click here to see all of the articles. Visitors to the southeast of…
Whalers once headed to Smith’s Tavern in Wellfleet for food, drink and fun
Excavation in 1969-1970 found evidence of a tavern on the Outer Cape in the early 1700s Editor’s note: Prior to 1763, Wellfleet was part of the town of Eastham, but…
The Chequesset Inn was Wellfleet’s Grand Hotel
Built in the 1880s, this attractive hotel inspired tourists to visit the Outer Cape With the opening of the Chequesset Inn in 1886, Captain Lorenzo Dow Baker, a.k.a. “The Banana King,”…
For JFK, Hyannis was home, haven and political headquarters
New JFK Hyannis Museum exhibit focuses on President Kennedy’s Cape Cod connections, 100 years after his birth Despite his privileged life—or perhaps because of it—President John Fitzgerald Kennedy was a…
The Changing Shape of the Cape & Islands: Lewis Bay, from Hyannis Port to Kalmus Beach & Great Island
Editor’s note: This is the 14th in a series of articles covering the region’s dramatically changing coastline. Click here to see all of the articles. Lewis Bay is part of…
Falmouth’s Mary Sears—she was ‘a powerful natural force’
Falmouth resident was the Navy’s first oceanographer, a longtime WHOI scientist and committed to civic affairs One of the special recognitions bestowed by the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) is…
Changing Shape of the Cape & Islands: Chatham’s Monomoy Islands and Stage Harbor
Editor’s note: This is the 13th in a series of articles covering the region’s dramatically changing coastline. Click here to see all of the articles. *We have highlighted and numbered…
Sandwich archaeology: Family has found 10,000 artifacts in their backyard
In 2010, Tom and Melissa Keyes embarked on a new project in Sandwich, with their purchase of the “Old Lincoln House,” as some of the neighbors called it. The…
Touring history
Explore the Cape & Islands on these historical walking tours There’s no better way to get to know Cape Cod than by taking a leisurely walk or drive. It’s like…
Homes of the Modern House Trust
The mid-century modern homes of the Outer Cape, including those designed by architect Charlie Zehnder, are both imaginative and iconic Bauhaus (adj): Early 20th-century modernist design influence found in architecture,…
It’s been 70 great years for the Cotuit Kettleers
A brief history of the Cape Cod Baseball League’s winningest team Fans of the Cape Cod Baseball League who tuned in to the 2016 World Series between the Chicago Cubs…
Traditional stories, fresh perspectives
The goal of Cape Cod LIFE’s annual high school art contest is to inspire students’ interest in local history as we ask them to illustrate six articles covering historical topics…
An Audience with the Emperor
Recalling Hirohito’s 1975 visit to Woods Hole What would compel the Emperor of Japan, visiting the United States to shore up post-war relations between the two countries, to include a…
Recalling the Fireworks
For 25 years, the SS James Longstreet was used as a “target ship” in Cape Cod Bay The SS James Longstreet has slipped beneath the surface of Cape Cod Bay,…
When Nantucketers rode the rails
A century ago, islanders could travel from the harbor to Siasconset by train Unlike many of Nantucket’s quaint cobblestone streets, which have well-known histories, Easy Street’s origin is as murky…
