Maritime History on Cape Cod

Cape Cod is a spectacularly beautiful expanse of beaches, dunes, lighthouses, museums, and visitor centers that describe the rugged maritime history of seafaring people that have lived on our tiny peninsula. From the earliest years of European settlement, the waters around Cape Cod were a hazard to navigate and thus began the construction of lighthouses. The first on the Cape was Highland Light in Truro, authorized by George Washington in 1796; many more followed with interesting histories that can be referenced here.

Maritime Days on Cape Cod

The month of May is a special time when we celebrate this rich history with various maritime-themed activities throughout the Cape, including guided kayak excursions, lighthouse and walking tours, nautical art exhibits, and much more.

Self-guided itineraries can be viewed on the Massachusetts Whale Trail and a list of Cape Cod Maritime Days events and activities are available on the event’s website

For all those history buffs, perhaps the best way to truly immerse yourself in Cape Cod Maritime history is to check out the Maritime Meandering Tours of Cape Cod – four self-guided maritime itineraries that you can download for each region of the Cape. Sites are numbered to suggest a trail to follow, but you can pull them apart and customize them to fill your day! These tours were put together by  CARE for the Cape and Islands and the MA Cultural Council.

Upper Cape Cod | Maritime Meanderings

As you arrive on Cape Cod there are many historical sites and tours to be had with our favorite being the Hy-Line Cruise of the Cape Cod Canal. The mesmerizing canal has a rich history and a boat ride is a wonderful way to begin your vacation. Check out the wide range of sightseeing , history and maritime experiences here.

Maritime Meanderings of Mid Cape Cod

Drive, walk and sail around 14 sites including our favorite-  the Wydah Museum, where you can act like a pirate and learn about real artifacts that have been excavated on Cape Cod. Check out the sites here

Maritime Meanderings of Lower Cape Cod

We may be prejudice as the Captain Freeman is located in this area, but we feel the Lower part of Cape Cod is the best place to experience beautiful bay beaches, wonderful museums, historic homes, state parks and federal reserves and  historic light houses. We love our Brewster historical society as well as the Cape Cod Natural History Museum. For 13 sited to visit check out this link.

Maritime Meanderings of Outer Cape Cod

Oh my goodness, the outer Cape is filled with so many wonderful stops with our favorite being the Pilgrim Monument in P’Town. Check out their suggested stops here.

 

Captain Freeman and his maritime history

The Captain Freeman Inn was built in 1866 by our favorite sea captain, Captain William Freeman. We have collected many books about his seafaring years that we love to share with our guests. Our local Brewster Historical Society also has a beautiful oil painting of the ship he commanded for many years called the King Fisher. Our inn is filled with many pictures and an artifact curio that includes an original flag, pictures, a smoking pipe and silverware donated by Captain Freeman’s family.

Come Stay with Us

May is such a beautiful time to visit Cape Cod and what a perfect opportunity to combine some beach time with learning about maritime history. It’s also a wonderful way to explore Cape Cod and to experience this treasured peninsula from the eyes of our ancestors.

Our salt water pool is open and our screened in porch is becoming you to relax each morning with a cup of coffee and our popular farm to table three course breakfast- always homemade with care.