Things To Do

Shellfishing

Shellfishing is a classic activity on the Outer Cape. For an introduction to this favorite pastime, Salt Pond is available on Sundays throughout the year and is stocked with quahogs, littlenecks and steamers -- oysters are also available in the fall. Bring your shellfish permit, rake, basket and sneakers and have some fun. Permits are required and available at the Natural Resources Facility at 555 Old Orchard Road, Eastham.

Photo courtesy of Henry Lind and Joe Realbuto

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Museums

Schoolhouse Museum

Located on Nauset and Schoolhouse Roads, across from the Salt Pond Visitors Center, this museum is a one-room schoolhouse built in 1869. Exhibits depict the area's history and include a model schoolroom, farming and household implements, shipwreck treasures, old paper currency, information on the Life Saving Service, Native American artifacts, and a 13-foot jawbone from a 65-foot finback whale. Listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

Open in July and August on Tuesday & Wednesday 1 - 4pm and Thursday & Friday 10am - 4pm. Open in September Saturday 1 - 4pm. Bus tours in June, September & October by appointment, (508) 255-6896.

Swift-Daley House

Located on Route 6 next to the Post Office, the Swift-Daley House was built in 1741 by Joshua Knowles. Its bowed roof, wide board floors, deep kitchen fireplace and narrow stairways are typical of early houses built by ship's carpenters. The house is completely furnished; its collections include examples of period furniture, clothing, china, and quilts. The Swift-Daley House is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

Set behind the Swift-Daley House are The Tool Museum and The Olde Shop. The Tool Museum displays hundreds of tools and implements from the area, including a wooden crankshaft from the old saltworks, a foot-operated grindstone, cranberry sorters and doorposts from the First Eastham Meeting House. The Olde Shop is a gift shop filled with fascinating treasures from antiques to hand-crafted items from local artisans. The Dill Beach Shack, which survived the storm of 1978 that ravaged the coast, is also on these grounds.

All buildings on the site are open Monday through Friday in July and August; Saturdays only in September. Hours are 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Admission is free, but donations are appreciated.

Captain Penniman House

Located on Fort Hill Road, just 1/2 mile off Route 6. This historic house was built in the mid-nineteenth century by an affluent whaling captain; now refurbished, the house is open to tours and features many original period items. Tour hours are limited and vary, so it is best to call to get details.

Salt Pond Visitor Center

Located 2.8 miles from the Orleans rotary on Route 6 eastbound at the second traffic light. Along with a popular recreation of a Native American village, this museum and visitor center also features exhibits that elucidate the varied array of natural and cultural characteristics that are central to the history and nature of the Cape Cod region. There is a bookstore and a theater, showing four different short films on local history and the environment of the area.

Open All Year 9 - 4:30 pm daily, extended hours in the summer

Web Site: http://www.nps.gov/caco/places/saltpondvc.html

Photos courtesy of The Eastham Historical Society and The Cape Cod National Seashore

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Landmarks

Nauset Light

Located within the Cape Cod National Seashore, Nauset Light is one of the most famous lighthouses on the east coast. Originally built in 1877, it was moved to Eastham from Chatham in 1923 to replace the remaining Three Sisters Light. The upper portion of the beacon was painted red in 1940, to distinguish it from Highland and Chatham Lights. Nauset Light was in danger of being lost to erosion and in 1993, the Coast Guard proposed decommissioning the light. The light was saved, however, by the Nauset Light Preservation Society, which financed a project to move the light farther inland. The move was finally completed in 1996. This working lighthouse is visible 17 miles out to sea. On Sundays during Spring, Summer, and Fall, and on Wednesdays in July, you can tour inside the lighthouse and climb to the top. For more information please visit www.nausetlight.org.

Old Eastham Windmill

Located on the Town Green at Route 6 and Samoset Road (across from Town Hall), the Eastham Windmill was originally constructed by Thomas Paine in Plymouth in 1680. The structure was moved to Eastham in 1793, this windmill is the oldest working historical windmill on Cape Cod, and is still occasionally used to grind corn. Tour hours are limited and vary, so it is best to call to get details.

Old Coast Guard Station

Since the early years of the Pilgrims, the Outer Beach of Cape Cod was known as the notorious "graveyard of ships" In 1871, the United States Congress appropriated funds for 9 life saving stations along the outer shores. The Nauset Station was built in 1937 and currently stands overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, being used as an education center.

Three Sisters Lighthouses

Located 1/2 mile from Nauset Light Beach on Cable Road. In 1837, a lighthouse station was established at Nauset Beach - halfway between the single light at Highland, and the twins at Chatham. To distinguish the Nauset Station, a keeper's house and three small towers of brick were constructed 150 feet apart. Two towers were taken out of service in 1911 and the third was replaced in 1923 with the "New Nauset Light". In 1975, the National Park Service purchased all of the Three Sisters Lights and conducted a $510,000 restoration that was completed on September 7, 1989. The Three Sisters now rest together and can be viewed with a short walk from Nauset Light Beach.

Photos courtesy of Helen Strong and The Cape Cod National Seashore

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Special Events

Hands on the Arts Festival

The Eastham Cultural Council presents this free annual arts festival, for children and the 'child' in all of us, to appreciate and enjoy the arts. Hands on the Arts means a chance to explore jewelry making, painting using easels, fiber arts, collage, and many more mediums, taught by professional artists, plus the ever popular sculpture from found objects! All material and instructions take place under the tent on Windmill Green.

Throughout each day everyone will also be entertained by several forms of performing arts that often include readings, puppets, music, dance, and song.

The juried craft show will showcase original works for sale by more than 50 local artists. Support of these artists enables them to bring free fun to this event. For more info and updates: www.handsonthearts.com (508) 240-5915

Windmill Weekend

Eastham's Windmill Weekend is an annual community festival, a fair, and a family party all rolled into one and is held on the weekend following Labor Day.

Windmill Weekend is a series of events held on Windmill Green and other locations around town. Activities include a sand art competition, road races, band concerts, arts and craft show, tricycle race, barbeques, dinners, and square dancing. Continuous entertainment is held on the Green both Saturday and Sunday.

A highlight of the weekend is the public recognition, as Windmill Honorees, of one or more Eastham citizens, who have demonstrated unusual dedication to the town through volunteer activities. Excitement peaks with Sunday’s Parade developed around the year’s theme.

For info and updates: www.easthamwindmillweekend.com.

Eastham Golf Tournament

Tee off to help benefit the Eastham Chamber of Commerce Philanthropic and Scholarship Trust Fund. Get your foursome together or we can pair you up for a day on the links, and a great community event, followed by a complete Lobster and Prime Rib Awards Banquet, raffles, prizes, and cash awards. Every level of golfer qualifies. Win a Vacation for Two, including Round-Trip Airfare and Accommodations!

For the non-golfer that’s community spirited you can also purchase tickets for just the Awards Banquet and Raffle. For more info and registration call the Chamber (508) 240-7211.

Eastham Turnip Festival

The Eastham Turnip Festival is a down-home shindig to celebrate the famous Eastham Turnip.

Town folks gather for the Turnip Cook-Off; Turnip Bowling; Turnip Shucking Contest; and the annual Crowning of the Turnip Queen. There is lots of great music from the Turnip Festival house band “The Ramaynes”. Attendees enjoy creative theme art, imaginative recipes, and good neighborly fun.

Sponsored by the Friends of the Eastham Library (508) 240-5950

Eastham Holiday Festival & Toy Drive

Sponsored by the Eastham Chamber of Commerce, this free event draws hundreds of children every year to help kick off the holiday season. This festive day includes a visit with Santa, face painting, pony rides, craft making, moonbounce, obstacle course, raffles, refreshments, gifts, a gymnastics exhibition, and more. A free trolley service transports you between the Orleans-Eastham Elks and the Gift Barn.

To brighten the spirits of those less fortunate, we ask of those who wish to help, to bring a new unwrapped toy of any value to the Elks Lodge. For more information on how to get involved in this event as a sponsor or participant, contact the Eastham Chamber info@easthamchamber.com
(508) 240-7211

Eastham Painters Guild

Fine art in a full spectrum of mediums are displayed on the grounds of the Schoolhouse Museum. This historic site is directly across the road from the Salt Pond Visitor Center. The fine art displays will be presented from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on the following dates:

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