Welcome to the Online Exhibits and collections section of the Harwich Historical Society web site. The Society owns literally thousands of artifacts, including clothing and textiles, photographs, works of art, and tools. Additionally there are manuscripts, documentary artifacts, a genealogical and research library, periodicals and other resources available to the public.

The Society displays its collection through several permanent and changing exhibits throughout the museum. Opening in 2008, on the second floor, is an exhibit about Harwich in the Civil War. “War Knows No Sabbath” chronicles the experiences of Sidney Brooks, proprietor of Pine Grove Seminary, who at the age of 51 joined the Christian Commission in 1864 to help care and give spiritual comfort to wounded soldiers. Visitors will experience the devastating conflict through the eyes of this 51-year old volunteer, many of whose students were serving in uniform, and his hometown on Cape Cod which sent several hundred of its men to fight.

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.

The first floor of the academy displays a permanent exhibit on Cranberry Culture. Harwich is credited with 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.