History
May 2018 Gunkholing: Craigville Beach
“The memories we collect and give brighten our lives for as long as we live.” When my father was in college in 1938, he first visited Cape Cod and Craigville…
A journey to justice
Zion Union Heritage Museum marks a decade A bronze statue of an African American man holding the world stands outside the small former church that is now the Zion Union…
Harbor LIFE: Sandwich Marina
Steeped in history and moving full steam ahead This is the first installment of a new series exploring the vibrant harbors across Cape Cod and the Islands. You’d have a…
A monument to romance
The Crosby Mansion’s past and present are rooted in love Once the grandest home in Brewster, the historic Crosby Mansion survived stints as a restaurant and inn, a music school…
Painters from Provincetown’s past
William and Lucy L’Engle were part of Cape Cod’s early art colony Among the artists and writers who gathered in Provincetown in the early 1900s were two prolific painters who…
Gunkholing: Celebrating our 40 years
In May 2018, Cape Cod Life begins its 40th year. Here is our first 40-year retrospective. While attending a recent family gathering, my nephew, also named Brian Shortsleeve, was talking…
The Changing Shape of the Cape & Islands: The Atlantic Shoreline
Editor’s note: This is the 19th in a series of articles covering the region’s dramatically changing coastline. Click here to see all of the articles. Beginning in April 2015 and…
Grand hotels of the past… and present
Venues that helped shape the Cape and Islands as a vacation destination The peninsula of Cape Cod and the islands of Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket have long served as sanctuaries…
A complementary couple: The distinct styles of folk artists Ralph and Martha Cahoon
“Ralph had salt water in his veins, and his artistic language carried history and paid homage to those who lived before him. . . Martha moved to Harwich as a…
The Changing Shape of the Cape & Islands: Herring River, Wellfleet
Editor’s note: This is the 18th in a series of articles covering the region’s dramatically changing coastline. Click here to see all of the articles. “The Herring River Restoration Project…
Ice through the ages
When Cape winters centered on frozen ponds During a Cape Cod winter, chilling ocean waves curl upon frozen beaches, ocean effect snows highlight salt marshes, and smooth glass sheets encase…
This shell has always generated interest: History of wampum
A brief history of wampum and how it’s been used over the years One of the first things you notice upon meeting Mary Beth Ellis is her iridescent, teardrop-shaped earring.…
My parents met at Camp Edwards
She was a volunteer typist; he was a prisoner of war Since reading the fascinating article, “Prisoners on the Peninsula: During WWII, Cape Cod had a busy POW camp,” in…
The Changing Shape of the Cape & Islands: West Falmouth Harbor, Chapoquoit Beach & Black Beach
Editor’s note: This is the 17th in a series of articles covering the region’s dramatically changing coastline. Click here to see all of the articles. The town of Falmouth has…
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…