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Eastham Historical Society |
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EASTHAM is one of the oldest towns in the Commonwealth. In April 1644, seven Pilgrims gathered together to plan the town which is now Eastham. They were Governor Thomas Prence, John Doane, Nicholas Snow, Josias Cook, Richard Higgins, John Smalley and Edward Bangs. These seven men and their families, comprising forty-nine persons were from the Plymouth Colony. Thei Two years later, in 1646, Nauset was incorporated and on June 7, 1651, the name was changed to Eastham. At this time Eastham included the areas covered by the present towns of Wellfleet, Orleans, Brewster and most of Chatham and Harwich. Founded in 1963 to preserve that long and varied history and its artifacts, the Eastham Historical Society acquired historically important collections through the generosity of Eastham residents and visitors. These collections are housed in three museums, all are open to the public. See individual buildings for hours of operation. SCHOOLHOUSE MUSEUMTHE SCHOOLHOUSE MUSEUM is located on Nauset Road across from the National Seashore Visitor Center.
It is housed in a one-room
schoolhouse built in 1869. The original and remaining one of the three schoolhouses
consolidated on that site in 1906, it served the to A large pair of whale jawbones formerly framed the gateway to the museum, but deterioration forced their removal a few years ago. With considerable difficulty, a replacement pair is being sought. Listed in the National Register of Historic Places. An addition to the schoolhouse (right) has been completed and serves as the museum. The schoolhouse, with its original schoolmaster's desk, is furnished to replicate how it looked in earlier days.
Museum Hours: Saturday, July 4th: 1-4 p.m. July
and August: Tuesday, Wednesday 1 - 4 p.m.; Thursday and Friday 10
a.m. - 4 p.m. Windmill Weekend: Saturday, Sept. 12th, 1 - 4 p.m. Admission is free, but donations are much appreciated. THE SWIFT-DALEY HOUSETHE SWIFT-DALEY HOUSE is located on Route 6 next to the Post Office.
Built in 1741 by Joshua Knowles, its bowed roof is typical
of early houses built by ship's carpenters. The wide board floors, deep
kitchen In 1859 the house was occupied by Nathaniel Swift, who with his brother Gustavus of North Eastham, soon moved to Chicago and founded the Swift meat packing empire. The second part of its present name comes from Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Daley who purchased the house in 1939 and restored it to its original condition. Mrs. Daley generously donated the house to the Eastham Historical Society in 1974.
THE OLDE SHOP
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decision to settle here was the result of a survey made by the Plymouth
Pilgrims as to the advisability of moving the entire Plymouth Colony to
this location in view of the level and quite fertile farmlands. These were
bordered by forests which offered protection for the rich top soil. It was
concluded there was insufficient area for the entire Plymouth Colony so
that only seven families moved here to settle. Located in this area at the
time were the Nauset Indians, the most important of the Cape Cod tribes,
led by Chief Sachem Aspinet. Their cornfields spread over the fertile
Nauset Plains and the whole section was referred to by the Pilgrims as
"Kingdom of Nauset." 
wn until 1936 when its
last pupils moved to a newer building. The old building stood abandoned
for many years until 1963 when the newly-formed Eastham Historical Society looked about for a place to house the town's historical treasures.
The school building, then well on its way to decrepitude, was purchased,
restored, and became a museum. The museum displays objects from the various facets of the town's history
including farming, shipwrecks, the Life Saving Service, Native American artifacts, the school and daily life in town.
fireplace and narrow stairways are other features of 18th century houses.
