Online Exhibits and Collections

Charles D. Cahoon exhibit
Known for detailed peaceful landscapes and seascapes of magnificent Cape Cod views, artist Charles D. Cahoon turns 150 years this year. In honor of this sesquicentennial anniversary, the museum is sponsoring a major exhibition of his paintings from public and private collections.
The exhibit will include 30 of Cahoon's paintings featuring marshes, dunes, farmhouses, and harbors that capture the Cape of a bygone era and have earned him recognition as an important American representational artist.
www.charlesdcahoon.org.

Welcome to the Online Exhibits and Collections section. The Society owns thousands of artifacts, including clothing and textiles, works of art and tools. Additionally there are manuscripts, documentary artifacts, periodicals, photographs, a research library, and other resources available to the public. The Society displays its collection through permanent and changing exhibits; click on images to see current exhibits and collection information.

Maritime Highways
Before the advent of trucks, schooners and other vessels provided transportation for goods up and down the east coast. Many a Harwich mariner was involved in the business of carrying coal, ice, lumber and more to ports from Maine to Virginia. Focused around the story of Capt. Sidney Ellis, a mariner for 50 years, this exhibit chronicles Harwich’s role in this important industry, with photos, art, and artifacts.

Photo Collection
A fishing party, c. late 19th century, enjoys an excursion to Bang’s Pond near Pleasant Lake. The photo archive includes over three thousand photographs, chronicling Harwich people, places, industries, and events. This collection can be researched year-round by appointment. Please call or email the Society for information.

Cranberry Culture
The Harwich Historical Society at Brooks Academy Museum features Cape Cod’s largest exhibit dedicated to growing the first commercial crop of cranberries in the nation, and still today produces the finest cranberries on earth in its bogs. The history of cranberry farming is documented here with photos, artifacts and hands-on activities. Included is a diorama of a cranberry bog showing the history of harvesting techniques and built by students at the Cape Cod Regional Technical High School.

Train Exhibit
Also on the second floor is an exhibit illustrating how the railroad influenced life in Harwich. From fish to cranberries, and mail to tourism, train travel brought huge changes to Harwich and the Cape. “All Aboard the Harwich Railroad” includes a working HO scale model layout depicting the railroad’s journey through Harwich and the surrounding area, built by the Nauset Model Railroad Club.