History
Stage Harbor Lighthouse: Chatham’s Forgotten Light
Stage Harbor Lighthouse: Chatham’s Forgotten Light Stage Harbor Lighthouse is a historic cast-iron light in Chatham, Massachusetts, that once guided vessels into the sheltered harbor on the town’s southern shore near Harding’s Beach. The light no longer works. Its tower still stands, capped and quiet, as a private home overlooking Nantucket Sound. Most visitors who…
Read MoreCaleb Nickerson House Historic Home: Colonial Life and Cape Cod Architecture in Chatham
Discover the Caleb Nickerson Homestead: Chatham’s Living History Gem The Caleb Nickerson House is a preserved early 19th-century Cape-style home in North Chatham, Massachusetts, that operates as a working museum interpreting colonial-era and early Chatham life. Built around 1829 by Caleb and Priscilla Eldredge Nickerson, the modest full-Cape was rescued from demolition, moved by truck…
Read MoreDowntown Chatham MA, History and Charm
History and Charm of Downtown Chatham, Massachusetts Downtown Chatham MA is the walkable Main Street district at the elbow of Cape Cod, where locally owned shops, art galleries, and seafood restaurants line a half-mile stretch built for exploring on foot. Want to see how busy it is before you park? Check our live Main Street…
Read MoreChatham Fish Pier: Visitor’s Guide to Cape Cod’s Famous Working Harbor
Chatham Fish Pier: Visitor’s Guide to Cape Cod’s Famous Working Harbor The Chatham Fish Pier is a free, publicly accessible working waterfront at 54 Barcliff Avenue Extension in Chatham, Massachusetts, on the edge of Aunt Lydia’s Cove and Chatham Harbor. It is home to the largest commercial fishing fleet on Cape Cod, and on most…
Read MoreLegends of Monomoy Island
Legends of Monomoy Island Just off the coast of Chatham, Massachusetts, lies an island of mystery, history, and natural wonder, Monomoy Island. Stretching about eight miles into Nantucket Sound, this barrier island has been shaped, broken apart, and reformed countless times by storms and tides. Sometimes attached to the mainland, sometimes cut off entirely, Monomoy…
Read MoreThe Atwood Museum: Chatham’s History, Galleries & Visitor Guide
The Atwood Museum: Chatham’s Maritime and Cultural History Located on Stage Harbor Road in Chatham, Massachusetts, the Atwood Museum offers a deep look into Cape Cod’s maritime roots and community heritage. Run by the Chatham Historical Society since 1925, the museum showcases the region’s development from the 1700s to today. Whether you’re interested in historic…
Read MoreThe Chatham Lighthouse: History and Heritage
Chatham Lighthouse: History and Heritage Chatham Lighthouse is an active U.S. Coast Guard light station at the elbow of Cape Cod, and you can visit it three ways: see it for free from the sidewalk or beach year-round, climb the tower on a free guided summer tour, or photograph it from the overlook above Lighthouse…
Read MoreThings to Do in Chatham, MA with Kids
A Family-Friendly Guide on Things to Do in Chatham, MA with Kids Chatham sits at the elbow of Cape Cod, and it packs an unusual amount into a small, walkable place. Families can spend a morning on a calm, shallow beach, watch fishing boats unload a few feet away while seals beg for scraps, catch…
Read MoreThe Shipwrecks of Cape Cod: A History of Maritime Tragedies and Discoveries
The Shipwrecks of Cape Cod: A History of Maritime Tragedies and Discoveries Cape Cod’s outer beaches have claimed more than 3,000 vessels in 300 years of recorded maritime history, earning the stretch from Chatham to Provincetown the name the ocean graveyard. The combination of shifting sandbars, powerful nor’easters, and dense shipping traffic made this 25-mile…
Read MoreChatham History Month 2025
Chatham History Month 2025 June 2025 marks a special occasion in Chatham, Massachusetts, as the town comes together to celebrate Chatham History Month. This month-long event, organized by Historic Chatham, offers residents and visitors a unique opportunity to delve into the rich tapestry of Chatham’s past. From engaging lectures and guided tours to hands-on activities…
Read More