Historical Society of Old Yarmouth
@hsoldyarm.bsky.social
The Historical Society of Old Yarmouth was founded in 1953 with a commitment to discover, preserve, and celebrate its history and all of its people.
Indigenous people were here first; Quakers were some of the earliest European settlers of Bass River. Learn about both in this popular annual walk that will finish at the Quaker Meetinghouse. Enjoy lunch with the Friends in the Ancient Schoolhouse on the Quaker grounds. hsoy.org/events
October 21, 2025 at 2:43 PM
Indigenous people were here first; Quakers were some of the earliest European settlers of Bass River. Learn about both in this popular annual walk that will finish at the Quaker Meetinghouse. Enjoy lunch with the Friends in the Ancient Schoolhouse on the Quaker grounds. hsoy.org/events
We're really excited about this new program - a discussion of Indigenous foods, a walk in the woods, followed by some chowder and other tastings. Seating is limited. hsoy.org/events
October 10, 2025 at 8:34 PM
We're really excited about this new program - a discussion of Indigenous foods, a walk in the woods, followed by some chowder and other tastings. Seating is limited. hsoy.org/events
More information and tickets available at hsoy.org/events
September 23, 2025 at 8:43 PM
More information and tickets available at hsoy.org/events
The fall cranberry harvest was important to locals who often made enough money during the harvest to last well into the winter, and it served as a social event too. This 1890s photo shows the buckets for hand picking, the sorting table and barrels used for shipping.
September 14, 2025 at 2:23 PM
The fall cranberry harvest was important to locals who often made enough money during the harvest to last well into the winter, and it served as a social event too. This 1890s photo shows the buckets for hand picking, the sorting table and barrels used for shipping.
#capecodgirls like to fish too.
This photo was taken ca 1972 and the stripers were caught off Sandy Neck after launching from the Bass Hole. Back then the stripers were plentiful enough that 16" was the legal length. Cape Codders have always depended on the sea for food for the table.
This photo was taken ca 1972 and the stripers were caught off Sandy Neck after launching from the Bass Hole. Back then the stripers were plentiful enough that 16" was the legal length. Cape Codders have always depended on the sea for food for the table.
August 21, 2025 at 3:20 PM
#capecodgirls like to fish too.
This photo was taken ca 1972 and the stripers were caught off Sandy Neck after launching from the Bass Hole. Back then the stripers were plentiful enough that 16" was the legal length. Cape Codders have always depended on the sea for food for the table.
This photo was taken ca 1972 and the stripers were caught off Sandy Neck after launching from the Bass Hole. Back then the stripers were plentiful enough that 16" was the legal length. Cape Codders have always depended on the sea for food for the table.
Point Gammon light in West Yarmouth on Great Island was built in 1816, with an attached keeper's house, both made of rough stone. Later, keeper John Peak and his wife, Martha, managed to raise nine children there. Daughter Imogene recalled having to walk six miles to and from school each day.
July 10, 2025 at 3:54 PM
Point Gammon light in West Yarmouth on Great Island was built in 1816, with an attached keeper's house, both made of rough stone. Later, keeper John Peak and his wife, Martha, managed to raise nine children there. Daughter Imogene recalled having to walk six miles to and from school each day.
"Thacher Cottage" was built by the Henry C. Thacher family before 1889 as a clubhouse for the Wayside Golf Links. The golf course was located where our Nature Trails in Yarmouth Port are. It was torn down in 1954.
July 7, 2025 at 5:46 PM
"Thacher Cottage" was built by the Henry C. Thacher family before 1889 as a clubhouse for the Wayside Golf Links. The golf course was located where our Nature Trails in Yarmouth Port are. It was torn down in 1954.
Imagine having to ride a bicycle with a long split skirt and big puffy sleeves! This young lady is Caroline G. Thacher, born 1881 and this photo is probably from the late 1890s. She married Dr. Charles Harris in 1906 was a lifelong Cape resident.
#WorldBicycleDay #capecodgirls
#WorldBicycleDay #capecodgirls
June 3, 2025 at 2:11 PM
Imagine having to ride a bicycle with a long split skirt and big puffy sleeves! This young lady is Caroline G. Thacher, born 1881 and this photo is probably from the late 1890s. She married Dr. Charles Harris in 1906 was a lifelong Cape resident.
#WorldBicycleDay #capecodgirls
#WorldBicycleDay #capecodgirls
Yesterday's winds reminded us that hurricane season is upon us. This image was taken on a sand covered road near the Parker's River campground right after the 1944 hurricane, which struck the Cape on September 15th.
June 1, 2025 at 1:44 PM
Yesterday's winds reminded us that hurricane season is upon us. This image was taken on a sand covered road near the Parker's River campground right after the 1944 hurricane, which struck the Cape on September 15th.
"I remember on Willow St. stood the crossing tender's house between the 2 sets of tracks. Hinckley's was the hay, grain and lumber store there. Deliveries were made by teams with pairs of horses and drivers. When this store burned the smell of the burning oats was unforgettable." - Vernon Morgan
May 30, 2025 at 7:32 PM
"I remember on Willow St. stood the crossing tender's house between the 2 sets of tracks. Hinckley's was the hay, grain and lumber store there. Deliveries were made by teams with pairs of horses and drivers. When this store burned the smell of the burning oats was unforgettable." - Vernon Morgan
"On Memorial Day we always had a special program in our flower decorated school to which our parents were invited. Afterwards, we marched 2 by 2 to the cemetery, a boy drummer at the head with a girl carrying the flag. The flowers were placed on the soldiers' graves." Maude Boesse describing 1905.
May 26, 2025 at 2:25 PM
"On Memorial Day we always had a special program in our flower decorated school to which our parents were invited. Afterwards, we marched 2 by 2 to the cemetery, a boy drummer at the head with a girl carrying the flag. The flowers were placed on the soldiers' graves." Maude Boesse describing 1905.
"In those days one of our good times was going to Hyannis by horse and wagon to the movies. We would leave right after dinner, my Aunt Winnie and mother and a couple of kids. We would stop at O'Neil's Bakery for crullers to eat in the movies. These movies were shown in the old Masonic Hall. (thread)
May 20, 2025 at 5:19 PM
"In those days one of our good times was going to Hyannis by horse and wagon to the movies. We would leave right after dinner, my Aunt Winnie and mother and a couple of kids. We would stop at O'Neil's Bakery for crullers to eat in the movies. These movies were shown in the old Masonic Hall. (thread)
A view of the former "House of Seven Chimneys" from the shoreline of Bass River, early 1900s. The house was actually a group of houses and a barn artistically connected to form one. After Mr. Davis's death in 1951 the house was split up and some buildings moved off site.
May 18, 2025 at 1:49 PM
A view of the former "House of Seven Chimneys" from the shoreline of Bass River, early 1900s. The house was actually a group of houses and a barn artistically connected to form one. After Mr. Davis's death in 1951 the house was split up and some buildings moved off site.
The boardwalk at Bass Hole, or Gray's Beach. It was first built in the early 1900's and was originally much closer to the edge of the marsh. The end of the boardwalk crossed the last creek, where it now stops, so you could walk all the way out to the beach or go clamming on the flats.
May 6, 2025 at 4:56 PM
The boardwalk at Bass Hole, or Gray's Beach. It was first built in the early 1900's and was originally much closer to the edge of the marsh. The end of the boardwalk crossed the last creek, where it now stops, so you could walk all the way out to the beach or go clamming on the flats.
More information and tickets available at hsoy.org/events
May 6, 2025 at 4:55 PM
More information and tickets available at hsoy.org/events
Crossing the Bass River Bridge from Dennis to Yarmouth, ca 1891. According to the label, the people are Liza Baker, wife of Prince Baker, son Ernie and daughter Lily. The Dennis shoreline looks a bit different today!
May 5, 2025 at 5:23 PM
Crossing the Bass River Bridge from Dennis to Yarmouth, ca 1891. According to the label, the people are Liza Baker, wife of Prince Baker, son Ernie and daughter Lily. The Dennis shoreline looks a bit different today!