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Eastham Historical Society |
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EASTHAM is one of the oldest towns in the Commonwealth. It was settled in 1644 by
Pilgrims who had been dissatisfied with the poor soil and small land
grants accorded them in the Colony of Plymouth. Three 'Old Comers' or
passengers on the Mayflower, now buried in the Cove SCHOOLHOUSE MUSEUMTHE SCHOOLHOUSE MUSEUM is located on Nauset Road across from the National Seashore Visitor Center.
It is housed in a one-room
schoolhouse built in 1869. The original and remaining one of the three schoolhouses
consolidated on that site in 1906, it served the to A large pair of whale jawbones formerly framed the gateway to the museum, but deterioration forced their removal a few years ago. With considerable difficulty, a replacement pair is being sought. Listed in the National Register of Historic Places. An addition to the schoolhouse has been completed and will be open for the 2008 season.
Museum Hours: May 24, 25 1 - 4 p.m.July and August: Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday 1 - 4 p.m.; Thursday and Friday 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. July 6 and August 31: 1 - 4 p.m. September: Saturdays 1 - 4 p.m. October 11, 12: 1 - 4 p.m. Admission is free, but donations are much appreciated. THE SWIFT-DALEY HOUSETHE SWIFT-DALEY HOUSE is located on Route 6 next to the Post Office.
Built in 1741 by Joshua Knowles, its bowed roof is typical
of early houses built by ship's carpenters. The wide board floors, deep
kitchen In 1859 the house was occupied by Nathaniel Swift, who with his brother Gustavus of North Eastham, soon moved to Chicago and founded the Swift meat packing empire. The second part of its present name comes from Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Daley who purchased the house in 1939 and restored it to its original condition. Mrs. Daley generously donated the house to the Eastham Historical Society in 1974.
THE OLDE SHOP
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Burying Ground, were
among its earliest families. Before Eastham became an established town in
1651, it had been part of the Nauset Indian Territory. 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. All are open to the public
Monday through Friday in July and August; Saturdays only in September.
wn until 1936 when its
last pupils moved to a newer building. The old building stood abandoned
for many years until 1963 when the newly-formed Eastham Historical Society looked about for a place to house the town's historical treasures.
The school building, then well on its way to decrepitude, was purchased,
restored, and became a museum. The museum displays objects from the various facets of the town's history
including farming, shipwrecks, the Life Saving Service, Native American artifacts, the school and daily life in town.
fireplace and narrow stairways are other features of 18th century houses.
