Top Historical Sites in Cape Cod

Cape Cod contains some of the oldest settlements in New England, along with preserved lighthouses, maritime structures, and cultural landmarks that illustrate its long connection to the Atlantic. Those researching historical sites in Cape Cod will encounter locations linked to early exploration, whaling, coastal trade, and local craftsmanship.

The Pilgrim Monument in Provincetown stands as one of the most recognizable landmarks on the Cape. Completed in 1910, the granite tower commemorates the arrival of the Mayflower in 1620, which anchored in Provincetown Harbour before travelling to Plymouth. The monument rises 252 feet and draws architectural influence from Italian towers such as the Torre del Mangia.

The adjacent museum documents Indigenous history, early settlement, local art, and regional maritime life. Exhibits include tools, documents, and artefacts linked to Provincetown’s development as a fishing and whaling centre. The combined site preserves the cultural layers that predate and follow the arrival of the pilgrims.

Nauset Lighthouse in Eastham is one of Cape Cod’s most photographed structures. The tower, painted in its distinctive red-and-white pattern, dates to 1877 and was relocated from Chatham to its current position in 1923. The lighthouse stands near the Cape Cod National Seashore coastline, overlooking bluffs shaped by continuous erosion.

Lighthouse keepers once maintained the structure using oil lamps, Fresnel lenses, and manual watch rotations. Today, it operates with automated systems but retains its historic housing and grounds.

The Sandwich Glass Museum in Sandwich highlights the town’s history as a major centre for glass manufacturing during the 19th century. The Boston and Sandwich Glass Company produced pressed glass, cut glass, and vibrant, colored pieces known for their clarity and craftsmanship.

The museum displays examples of lamps, bowls, perfume bottles, and tableware produced between the 1820s and 1880s. Demonstrations of historical glassblowing methods show how molten glass was shaped with tools such as pontil rods, moulds, and shears.

Chatham Lighthouse overlooks the entrance to Stage Harbour and stands near shifting sandbars that have challenged navigators for centuries. The current tower dates back to 1877 and replaced a pair of earlier lighthouses that served as range lights. Its cylindrical cast-iron design reflects the engineering methods of the late 19th century.

The adjacent Coast Guard station highlights the region’s longstanding need for rescue and patrol services. The combination of tower, station, and surrounding dunes illustrates how Chatham evolved into a monitoring point along an active stretch of the Atlantic coastline.

Located in Sandwich, Heritage Museums & Gardens includes historical structures relocated and preserved on its grounds. One landmark is the 1908 American Automobile Museum building, designed to showcase antique vehicles, including early Fords, Packards, and fire engines. Another structure, known as the Old East Windmill, was built in 1800 and showcases traditional timber framing and mechanical milling components.

The property also features Shaker artefacts, folk art, and historically inspired garden architecture. These elements highlight craftsmanship and community development across several periods of New England history.

The John F. Kennedy Hyannis Museum preserves the Kennedy family’s ties to Hyannis and the surrounding waterfront. Although not a residence, the museum documents the family’s time in the area through photographs, speeches, and film clips. The building itself, a century-old structure in downtown Hyannis, originally functioned as a town hall annex.

The museum emphasizes the role Cape Cod played in Kennedy’s personal life, political development, and public image. Exhibits change periodically to explore specific themes, reinforcing the Cape’s connection to mid-20th-century American history.

The Atwood Museum, operated by the Chatham Historical Society, includes the 1752 home of sea captain Joseph Atwood along with several expansions. The preserved rooms feature original fireplace construction, wide-plank flooring, and early American furnishings. Recent additions house exhibits on maritime trade, local shipwrecks, and the lives of Chatham residents through the centuries.

The museum grounds include a restored fishing shed that illustrates the equipment and materials used in traditional inshore fishing. The site offers detailed context about how small coastal communities functioned during the 18th and 19th centuries.

The Marconi Wireless Station in Wellfleet preserves the location where Guglielmo Marconi completed significant wireless telegraph experiments in the early 1900s. Although the original station buildings have not survived due to coastal erosion, the site includes markers and informational panels that explain the technology used.

Transmissions sent from the station contributed to advancements in long-distance communication, including messages exchanged with stations in Europe.

The Daniel Webster Inn in Sandwich traces its origins to the late 1600s as a tavern and rest stop for travellers along early routes between Plymouth and Cape Cod. While rebuilt and expanded over the centuries, the inn maintains architectural elements consistent with colonial-era design, including low-beamed ceilings, fireplaces, and timber framing.

The building’s long operation reflects the region’s early role in hospitality and trade. Its central position in Sandwich’s historic district connects the site to the town’s broader architectural fabric.

With extensive experience in Cape Cod real estate, Kerrie Marzot has built a long-standing reputation for delivering high-level service and strong results. Her background in the Falmouth area spans over 30 years, providing her with a perspective that few can match. She is known for her detailed understanding of local trends and her commitment to providing a refined, client-focused experience.

Homebuyers and sellers rely on her for clear market insights, thoughtful pricing strategies, and marketing plans that present each property to its fullest potential. Kerrie’s steady approach, open communication, and skilled negotiation have led to notable achievements throughout her career. She continues to offer dependable guidance, strong professional standards, and support tailored to luxury and waterfront properties.

Contact Kerrie Marzot today for expert advice and personalized assistance navigating the Cape Cod, MA real estate market.