ARTS & CULTURE
PROVINCETOWN
Campus Provincetown
207-209 Commercial St
www.campusprovincetown.org
Campus Provincetown is a coalition of local schools and institutions, including the Center for Coastal Studies, Cape Cod Community College, and the Fine Arts Work Center in Provincetown. The collaboration encourages visitors and residents to participate in the wide variety of Provincetown’s educational opportunities. Courses include art, photography, painting, marine biology, theater, and writing.
The Center for Coastal Studies
115 Bradford St 508-487-3622
www.coastalstudies.org
A private non-profit center that conducts scientific research along the coast, the CCS is the only East Coast organization with federal authorization to perform highly dangerous whale rescues. The CCS also offers daily whale watching trips May-mid-Oct. Admission is $30 for adults, $22 for children 5-12, free for children 4 and under, with paying adult. Reserve your tickets online and save $3!
Fine Arts Work Center
24 Pearl St 508-487-9960
www.fawc.org
Created to provide a “supportive and nurturing haven for emerging artists and writers,” the Fine Arts Work Center offers residential fellowships for writers and visual artists, as well as workshops, seminars, readings, and art exhibitions. The Hudson D. Walker Gallery, located at FAWC, is open to the public for FAWC and town-related exhibitions. Writing fellows and visiting artists give readings and lectures during the winter, while summer faculty present weekly readings and slide presentations from late Jun-Aug. Contact FAWC for more information.
Provincetown Art Association & Museum
460 Commercial St 508-487-1750
www.paam.org
The Provincetown Art Association and Museum has anchored the art community here since 1914. Holding a significant collection of over 2,312 works of art from America’s oldest art colony, PAAM shows its collection, special exhibitions, and works by its 650 artist members in five galleries and three sculpture gardens. The Museum School at PAAM offers 63 surprisingly affordable classes in drawing, painting, photography, video, printmaking, sculpture, mixed media, and writing for adults, youth, and children. Throughout the summer, PAAM offers innovative cultural programs: jazz concerts, chamber music concerts, and a series of lectures on art-related matters. The Museum Store at PAAM is the place to shop for art books, and works of art may be purchased from certain exhibitions. Museum hours through Sep: Mon-Thu 11am-8pm, Fri 11am-10pm, Sat-Sun 11am-5pm. Admission is $5 for adults, free for members and children under 12, also FREE FRIDAYS after 5pm. Call or visit the website for more information.
TRURO
Truro Center for the Arts at Castle Hill
10 Meetinghouse Rd 508-349-7511
www.castlehill.org
Castle Hill offers a wide range of classes for adults, kids, and teens including writing, painting, printmaking, sculpture, jewelry making, photography, and much more. Artist’s Opening Receptions start Jun 29 and continue every other Thu from 4-6pm until Sep 8. Contact Castle Hill and see our Calendar of Events for more information and events.
WELLFLEET
Mass Audubon’s Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary
291 State Hwy, Rte 6 508-349-2615
www.massaudubon.org/wellfleet
The Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary offers an extensive year-round program. In addition to canoe and kayak trips and natural history cruises, there is a day camp for kids and a field school for adults. There are also classes in botany, coastal and marine wildlife, ornithology, butterflies and moths, and Cape Cod natural history. The state-of-the-art Esther Johnson Nature Center is open 8:30am-5pm. The Wildlife Sanctuary has nearly 1,200 acres and 5 miles of walking trails and is open 8am-dusk. Admission is free to Massachusetts Audubon members. For non-members, admission is $5 for adults, $3 for senior citizens and children ages 3-12. Please call or visit the website for a course catalog. See the website for a listing of events.
The Eastham Library
190 Samoset Rd 508-240-5950
www.easthamlibrary.org
Established in 1878, The Eastham Library has wireless Internet access, PCs for word processing, audio books, videos, puzzles, large-print books, toys and periodicals. A copier, fax, and passes to local and Boston museums are also available. Open Wed, Fri and Sat 10 am-4 pm, Tue and Thu 10 am-8 pm, closed Sun and Mon.
Provincetown Public Library
356 Commercial St 508-487-7094
www.ptownlib.com
Open 7 days a week, the Provincetown Public Library offers free computer and Internet access, periodicals, videos, DVDs, and fun weekly activities.
The Truro Public Library
5 Library Ln (off Standish Way) North Truro
508-487-1125
www.trurolibrary.org
Conveniently located just a stone’s throw off Rte 6, the Truro Public Library offers print and audio books, computer and Internet use including Wi-Fi, DVDs, and videos (with a CLAMS library card, available through and valid at any public library on the Outer Cape). The library hosts a Summer Literary Series for adults and fun weekly activities for children. Call the library for a complete schedule.
Wellfleet Public Library
55 West Main St 508-349-0310
www.wellfleetlibrary.org
Not just a beautiful and peaceful building for housing books, the Wellfleet library presents and hosts a series of summer lectures, offers yoga classes, provides story hours for children, and offers free Internet and computer use. For more information and a detailed schedule, visit the website, or see our Calendar of Events and Children’s Activities section.
EASTHAM
Eastham Historical Society
508-240-0871
www.easthamhistorical.org
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: The Schoolhouse Museum, Ranlett Antique Tool Museum, and The Swift-Daley House.
Nauset Light
Nauset Beach 508-255-3421
www.nausetlight.org
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. Threatened by erosion, in 1993, the Coast Guard proposed decommissioning the light. The Nauset Light Preservation Society 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. See our Calendar for Tour information.
Schoolhouse Museum
6 Nauset Rd 508-255-6896
This one-room schoolhouse was built in 1869 and served the town until 1936. The museum displays objects from the town’s history. Open Mon-Wed 1-4pm, Thu-Fri 10am-4pm Jul-Aug and Sat in Sep 1-4pm.
Swift-Daly House Museum
Rte 6 next to Eastham Post Office 508-240-1247
This completely furnished house was built in 1741. Its collection includes: period clothing, china, quilts and other household items. The Ranlett Antique Tool Museum is also on this site with a large collection of rare and unusual antique tools. Open Mon-Fri 10am-1pm.
Three Sisters of Nauset Lighthouses
Nauset Beach near Nauset Light 508-255-3421
www.nausetlight.org
Commissioned in 1892, these three wooden towers have been restored and reunited by the Cape Cod National Seashore.
PROVINCETOWN
Expedition Whydah Sea-Lab & Learning Center
MacMillan Wharf 508-487-8899
www.whydah.com
The Expedition Whydah Sea-Lab & Learning Center tells the story of the Whydah, a pirate ship that sank off the Wellfleet coast in 1717. Discovered by underwater explorer Barry Clifford, the Whydah was the first pirate shipwreck ever authenticated and has the world’s only publicly-displayed pirate shipwreck treasure. Visitors can see coins, cannons, and other artifacts. Open 10am-4pm May-Oct and until 8pm Jun-Labor Day. Open weekends in Nov. Closed Dec-Mar. Admission is $8 for adults, $6 for children ages 6-12, and free for children under 6. Group rates are available.
Old Harbor Lifesaving Station
Race Point Beach 508-487-1256
www.nps.gov/caco
Named after the dangerous race currents that run just offshore, Race Point is home to over 100 shipwrecks. The century-old station at Race Point tells the story of the storms, shipwrecks, and courageous people who made up the Lifesaving Station. Open Jul 1-Aug 31 2:30-5pm daily. A beach-parking fee of $15 applies. Stop by at 6pm on Thu and watch the reenactment of a 1902 rescue drill outside the museum. Admission is $5 for adults, $2 for seniors over 62 and kids ages 7-17, and is free for children 6 and under. Call for more information.
Provincetown Art Association & Museum
460 Commercial St 508-487-1750
www.paam.org
The Provincetown Art Association and Museum has anchored the art community here since 1914. Holding a significant collection of over 2,312 works of art from America’s oldest art colony, PAAM shows its collection, special exhibitions, and works by its 650 artist members in five galleries and three sculpture gardens. Call or visit the website for more information.
Pilgrim Monument and Provincetown Museum
High Pole Hill Rd 508-487-1310
www.pilgrim-monument.org
Built to commemorate the landing of the Pilgrims in Provincetown, the monument is the tallest granite structure in the United States, offering an unparalleled view of Provincetown and its surroundings. The Museum has many interesting exhibits for all ages, including this year’s special exhibit: “Centennial Treasures”. Admission is $7 for adults, $5 for seniors (62) and students (15 +) with ID, $3.50 for children ages 4-14, free for children 3 and under. Free admission every Sun 9am-12pm. Free parking with paid admission. Open Apr-Jun 9am-4:15pm, Jul-Aug 9am-6:15pm, Sep-Oct and weekends in Nov 9am-4:15pm. Great picnic facilities on-site.
Province Lands Visitor Center
Race Point Rd 508-487-1256
The Cape Cod National Seashore’s Province Lands Visitor Center, located on top of an open dune ridge, offers a spectacular 360-degree view of outermost Cape Cod. It features a permanent exhibit on the human and natural histories of Cape Cod, audiovisual programs on shipwrecks and early whaling, as well as a variety of printed materials on nature walks, local history, and guided activities. Call or stop by for a seasonal schedule of activities, including many family programs. Open daily May 1-Oct 31 9am-5pm.
Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary Exhibit
205 Commercial St in Aquarium Wharf 781-545-8026
www.stellwagen.noaa.gov
This interactive, hands-on exhibit showcases the resources and programs of the only National Marine Sanctuary in the Northeast. Touch-computers allow the viewer to peer at interesting marine species, discover the world of whale behaviors, and understand new seafloor research. Open Fri-Sun in Jun and Sep and seven days a week Jul-Aug, 11am-6pm. The exhibit is free and handicap-accessible.
TRURO
Cape Cod Highland Lighthouse
27 Highland Light Rd 508-487-1121
www.trurohistorical.org
Located next to the Highland House Museum. Visitors may climb Highland Light and enjoy a stunning view of the Atlantic from the Lantern, located at the foot of a 120-foot cliff. Children must be over 51” tall to climb Highland Light. Open May-mid-Oct 10am-5:30pm. Lighthouse admission is $4 for all ages. A Highland House Museum and Lighthouse combo ticket is $6.
Highland House Museum
6 Lighthouse Rd 508-487-3397
www.trurohistorical.org
Located next to the Cape Cod Highland Lighthouse, the Museum is a 1907 former hotel, run by the Truro Historical Society, and features interesting exhibits on life in Truro and contains a variety of Victorian furnishings, antiques, and art. Open Jun-Sep Mon-Sat 10am-4:30pm and Sun 1-4:30pm. Museum admission is $4 for adults and free for children 12 and under. A Museum and Cape Cod Highland Lighthouse combo ticket is $6.
WELLFLEET
Wellfleet Historical Society
266 Main St 508-349-9157
www.wellfleethistoricalsociety.com
Organized in 1951, the society’s extensive collection includes old photographs, maps, Native American artifacts, and a miniature doll collection. Walking tours Tue and Fri at 10:15am. See our Calendar of Events, or call for more information. Open Jun 26-Sep 8 Wed, Thu and Sat 1-4pm; Tue and Fri 10am-4pm.
PROVINCETOWN
New Provincetown Players
238 Bradford St 508-487-9793 or 800-791-7487
www.newprovincetownplayers.org or www.ptowntix.com
New Provincetown Players (formerly Provincetown Theatre Company (PTC) and Provincetown Repertory Theater (REP)). Year-round season. Summer musicals and comedies. Call or visit the web site for shows and prices.
Theater in the Ground
7 Carnes Ln 508-487-3684
Theater in the Ground utilizes the Septic Space at 7 Carnes Lane, Provincetown – an abandoned, rediscovered septic tank – as an experimental collaborative performance site. Call for more information.
TRURO
Payomet Performing Arts Center in Truro
The Tent: 29 Old Dewline Rd, Highlands Center @ Cape Cod National Seashore in North Truro
508-487-5400
www.ppactruro.org or www.payomet.org
Call or visit the website for reservations, tickets, schedules, classes, yoga and free events.
WELLFLEET
Wellfleet Harbor Actors Theater (WHAT)
508-349-WHAT(9428).
www.what.org
Three stages this year: The new Julie Harris Stage on Route 6, the Harbor Stage on Commercial Street, and WHAT 4 Kids. With plays ranging from wild contemporary comedies to searing family dramas to American classics, the 2007 season presents a robust schedule of “continually adventurous” theater (Boston Globe) that has become WHAT’s trademark. Call or visit the website for schedule and ticket information.