Pocasset, Massachusetts

Pull over for a minute and imagine the sounds of music and laughter echoing through these woods! Pinewoods Camp has been a haven for folk dance and music lovers since the early 1930s. Founded by Helen Osborne Storrow,…

You're near waters that once knew the sleek hull of the Gypsy, a historic catboat with a story to tell. Designed by the renowned Bowdoin B. Crowninshield in 1900, the Gypsy, originally known as the Witch or the Wren,…

Welcome to Centerville, where time seems to slow down and history whispers from every corner! This area, now the Centerville Historic District, really started to bloom after 1826 when the Congregational Church moved to…

For centuries, sailors have relied on this very spot to guide them safely into Vineyard Haven. West Chop Light stands guard, marking the harbor's entrance and warning ships of the treacherous coastline. Back in 1817,…

Imagine a summer retreat where faith and community blossomed amidst charming gingerbread cottages. That's Craigville! In 1871, the New England Convention of Christian Churches established a camp meeting here, buying…

This isn't just a scenic overlook; East Chop Light has guided ships safely through these waters for nearly two centuries. The first lighthouse here was built in 1828, a wooden tower that replaced an earlier beacon. In…

Prepare to be amazed by what locals call 'The Castle on the Hill' – Fairhaven High School, a landmark that speaks of ambition and enduring legacy. In 1905, this stunning building opened its doors, a testament to the…

Pull over for a minute; this simple building holds stories of faith and resilience. The Long Plain Friends Meetinghouse was built in 1759 by Quakers seeking a place to worship freely. These weren't fancy folks; they…

Get ready to grab for the gold ring! The Flying Horses Carousel in Oak Bluffs is the oldest operating platform carousel in the United States. Originally built in New York City, it made its way to Martha's Vineyard…

Stand right here, and you're practically standing in the middle of history. Fort Rodman, now part of Fort Taber Park, was built to protect New Bedford during a time of great uncertainty. Construction on Fort Rodman…

You're near a real piece of maritime history: the *Effie M. Morrissey*, later renamed *Ernestina-Morrissey*. She's more than just a pretty boat. Originally built in 1894, she started as a Grand Banks fishing schooner,…

Imagine a vibrant village popping up seemingly overnight, not for trade or farming, but for spiritual renewal. That’s essentially what happened here at Wesleyan Grove. It started in 1835 as a Methodist summer camp…

This spot, near the New Bedford State Pier, was once the home of a vital piece of maritime history: Lightship No. 114. These ships were floating lighthouses, guiding vessels through dangerous waters. Lightship No. 114…

Oak Bluffs on Martha's Vineyard has been a prominent African American summer community since the late 1800s, one of the few coastal resorts open to Black families during segregation.

Ever wonder where Captain Ahab set sail from in *Moby Dick*? It was right here in New Bedford. This area, now the New Bedford Historic District, was the bustling heart of the American whaling industry in the 1800s.…

This unassuming building holds secrets of maritime trade and coastal protection! For over a century, this spot has witnessed Barnstable's connection to the sea. Built in 1855, this building served as the United States…

Ever wonder what justice looked like way back when? You're near the Old Gaol, or jail, in Barnstable – thought to be the oldest wooden jail still standing in the United States! Around 1690, the Plymouth and…

This unassuming spot on Martha's Vineyard was once the lifeline for fresh water, powering the island's growth.Back in the 1880s, private investors built the Tashmoo Springs Pumping Station to supply clean water to…

This unassuming house was once a beacon of hope on the Underground Railroad. Nathan and Mary (Polly) Johnson, free African Americans, bravely sheltered freedom seekers here starting around 1822. Frederick Douglass…

Pulling up near here, you're close to hallowed ground for American political royalty: the Kennedy Compound. In 1928, Joseph P. Kennedy Sr. bought what would become the Kennedy Compound in Hyannis Port. Over time, it…

Imagine living in the lap of luxury, fueled by whale oil! This is the Rotch–Jones–Duff House and Garden Museum, a window into the lives of New Bedford's whaling elite. Built in 1834 for William Rotch Jr., a prominent…

For centuries, this little cove has been a haven for sailors. Imagine ships crowding in here, seeking shelter and a guiding light. Tarpaulin Cove Light, perched on Naushon Island, has been guiding mariners since the…

Right here, near this unassuming house, lived a true American hero. This is the Sgt. William H. Carney House, home to the first African American to receive the Medal of Honor. William Carney was born into slavery in…

Imagine living in a fairytale cottage right here in New Bedford! This isn't just any pretty house; it's the William J. Rotch Gothic Cottage, a landmark tied to New Bedford's whaling history. Built around 1845, this…

This quirky, eight-sided house whispers tales of the sea! It's the Capt. Rodney J. Baxter House, a unique piece of Barnstable history. Built in 1850, this octagon house was the home of Captain Baxter. It's a rare…

Imagine the Pilgrims stepping off the Mayflower, their first steps on American soil right here near Town Brook. They weren't the first, though; Native Americans had thrived here for generations before. In 1620, the…

Imagine building your own home in a brand new world. That's exactly what Richard Sparrow did right here, making this Plymouth's oldest surviving house. Richard Sparrow, an English surveyor, arrived in Plymouth around…

You're passing a house that connects us directly to the Mayflower and the earliest days of Plymouth Colony. This house, located on Sandwich Street, was purchased by Jabez Howland, the son of John Howland and Elizabeth…

Imagine the salty air and the clang of shipyards; this neighborhood tells the story of Plymouth's maritime boom. In the mid-1800s, as Plymouth's fishing and shipping industries thrived, workers needed homes close to the…

Imagine standing where Pilgrims stood, marking the end of life's journey. Burial Hill is more than just a cemetery; it's a tangible link to the very first European settlers of Plymouth Colony. Established in the 1600s,…

Stand where justice was dispensed for centuries in Plymouth's Old County Courthouse, also known as the Old Town House. Built in 1749, this building served as both a courthouse and town offices. It was constructed by…

Imagine stepping off a ship after a brutal ocean voyage. That's what the Pilgrims faced when they arrived near this very spot! While the Pilgrims themselves didn't mention Plymouth Rock, a written record from 1715…

Imagine stepping back in time to the very heart of Plymouth Colony. This area, the Plymouth Village Historic District, marks the spot of the earliest European settlement in New England. In 1620, the Pilgrims landed a…

This unassuming building holds the story of a resilient community. The Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church and Parsonage has been a vital part of Plymouth's African-American community since its founding. In 1866,…

On the Plymouth, Massachusetts waterfront at Pilgrim Memorial State Park sits a chunk of granite the size of a kitchen table, sheltered under a columned portico and carved with the date 1620. By tradition it's where the…

Ever wonder where the Pilgrims' actual belongings ended up? You're about to find out. In 1824, a group of people formed the Pilgrim Society to preserve the memory of the original settlers of Plymouth Colony. They built…

Behold this colossal monument dedicated to the Mayflower Pilgrims and their enduring ideals. Construction of the National Monument to the Forefathers began in 1859, though the concept originated even earlier. Hammatt…